On Tuesday night, Argentina and Croatia clash in the first of the World Cup semi-finals, with both teams desperate to make the final to exercise previous demons.
Argentina form guideLionel Scaloni’s team booked their place in the semi-finals by recording a penalty kick victory over the Netherlands after a 2-2 draw in normal and extra time.
The Albiceleste looked to be cruising against the Oranje when Lionel Messi made the game 2-0 on 73 minutes. However, a double from substitute Wout Weghorst, including a stoppage-time equaliser, took the game into extra time. However, Argentina prevailed in the spot kicks.
Argentina have been incredibly hard to beat of late, as the South American giants have now lost just one of their last 41 international games. They have also been prolific of late in the World Cup, scoring at least two goals in six of their previous seven matches in the competition.
Croatia form guideZlatko Dalic’s team needed a 117th-minute goal against Brazil to take their quarter-final to penalty kicks, which is how they set up this clash. The draw against Brazil in normal time means that Croatia has won just one of their previous nine matches in 90 minutes at the World Cup. However, on the flip side, they have also lost just one of their last 12 World Cup games.
Croatia's recent games at World Cups have been tight, low-scoring affairs, with under 2.5 goals scored in four of their last five games in the competitions.
Latest team newsArgentina will be without full-backs Marcus Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel through suspension. Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico will come in to replace Acuna. Angel Di Maria has a chance of returning to the starting line-up.
Croatia have fitness doubts over full-back Josip Stanisic. Striker Bruno Petkovic may lead the line for Dalic’s side after he stepped off the bench to score his team’s extra-time equaliser against Brazil.
What am I backing?Croatia has an extraordinary ability of just doing enough to progress at the World Cup. They keep it tight in defence, which usually leads to low-scoring games. Argentina may have a certain Lionel Messi, but I am still backing this game to produce under 2.5 goals.
