Croatia v Canada: Goals needed for Group F foes
Croatia v Canada betting tips, predictions and odds
Croatia and Canada are yet to find the net at the World Cup 2022 ahead of their meeting in the second round of group matches.
Canada did not disgrace themselves as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Belgium while 2018 runners-up Croatia at least have a point on the board after a goalless draw with Morocco.
Sunday’s Group F match at the Khalifa International Stadium kicks off at 4pm and is live on the BBC.
Canada not disgraced
Both teams will need to find more of a cutting edge in front of goal after a slow start.
Canada were always likely to be up against it as they faced a star-studded Belgium line-up on their return to the World Cup stage and Michy Batshuayi’s solitary strike just before half-time condemned them to a narrow defeat.
They went close though, having missed a first-half penalty when Alphonso Davies’ weak effort was saved. They also had two more appeals controversially denied and had 22 shots on goal.
Croatia’s bid to emulate their exploits of four years ago also began in stuttering fashion with a forgettable 0-0 draw.
Nikola Vlasic went close to an opener in first-half added time, while Noussair Mazraoui and Achraf Hakimi threatened winners for Morocco in the second period.
With the pressure now on for goals, 17/20 for both teams to score is the first of our Croatia v Canada betting tips.
Fast start on the cards
Canada may have lost their opener but more than held their own in their first World Cup match in 36 years which should give them confidence going forward.
Coach John Herdman said: “They showed tonight that they do belong here. We came into the game with a couple of goals, the first was to play fearless and the second goal was to entertain.
“We had some other goals – to create some firsts, but we never got to those moments. I think at times it was one pass too many around the box. I’m not going to criticise them because when you outshoot Belgium I can’t complain too much.
“Sometimes it is your night and sometimes it is not. They made a commitment to themselves before they went out there tonight.
“Teams know us now, this is it, the covers are off. We are coming up against a team like Croatia with a midfield three to die for.
“People will come into the next game respecting us a bit more and knowing what we are about. We’ve got a big effing game coming up against Croatia and we deserve to be here.”
Canada are 5/2 to claim a famous win, while Croatia winning odds of 23/20 will attract plenty of interest for a team with such a strong tournament pedigree.
We reckon goals are the best bet though, and both teams to score in the first half at 21/5 appeals given that both will look to get on the front foot early.
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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication
