FIFA World Cup
World Cup 2018: Russia vs Croatia Preview
Hosts Russia take on Croatia on Saturday in Sochi at 2 pm, the last match for the city in this tournament. The Croats are now considered one of the favorites to win the tournament. However, Russia has proven to be capable of anything in front of their fans. The winner will secure a semi-final meeting with the winner of England-Sweden.
Background
Russian fans will be hoping to bid Sochi farewell with a win against their fellow Slavics. Given that the fans have been a big part of the host nation’s success, the team will be relying on their support for inspiration. The hosts, who narrowly defeated Spain on penalties in the last 16, have no suspended players. Rather, defender Yuri Zhirkov is expected to be ruled out with an injured tendon. Despite surpassing everyone’s expectations and scoring 8 goals in their first 2 matches, Stanislav Cherchesov’s team have only had 2 shots on goal since. Starting center forward Dzyuba will know the trend has to change in order to make the semi-finals.
Croatia appears to be more threatening in attack than their Russian opponents, despite also barely advancing on penalties against Denmark. The midfield pairing of Ivan Rakitic and captain Luka Modric is a well-oiled machine creating scoring opportunities and defending. The Croatians have managed 61 shots with 16 being on target with Russia having 33 shots, 12 being on target. Coach Zlatko Dalić has no suspensions and no injury concerns heading into the match. As a result, there should be no lineup changes to ‘The Blazers’ as they try to make it to the semi-finals for the first time since 1998.
Predicted Lineups
Russia: Igor Akinfeev; Mario Fernandes, Ilya Kutepov, Sergey Ignashevich, Fedor Kudryashov; Roman Zobnin, Daler Kuzyaev; Aleksandr Samedov, Aleksandr Golovin, Denis Cheryshev; Artem Dzyuba
Croatia: Danijel Subasic; Sime Vrsaljko, Dejan Lovren, Domagoj Vida, Ivan Strinic; Ivan Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic, Ante Rebic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic; Mario Mandzukic
Prediction
The two Slavic nations have met 3 times before. Two of them were goalless draws with the third seeing the Croats win a friendly 3-1 in 2015. Overall, Croatia seems to be the more complete team and therefore, the safer bet. Nonetheless, Russia’s inspired run on home soil means anything is possible. Expect goals on both ends. Despite Subasic’s penalty heroics, the Croatian keeper has been shaky. Likewise, Akinfeev’s great form will not save his nation from the brilliance of Croatia’s midfield. Expect Lovren and his backline to contain Dzyuba and Cheryshev and either Modric or Rakitic to be decisive.
Russia 1 – 2 Croatia
