Croatia vs Denmark 2018 World Cup Round of 16 Betting Preview

When Croatia and Denmark meet in the round of 16 at the 2018 World Cup on Sunday, the rivalry of Luka Modric and Christian Eriksen will enter another chapter. The (respective) playmakers for Croatia and Denmark have a rivalry that dates back to their years together as Tottenham Hotspur, where Modric was the dominant midfielder until Eriksen supplanted him. The two last met on the pitch in the Champions League, when Tottenham took down Real Madrid in a 3-1 win at Wembley Stadium in London, with Eriksen scoring the third goal, and then when the two drew 1-1 in Madrid, with both games coming back in November. Modric got the last laugh, though, as Real Madrid won the Champions League. Croatia picked up nine points in group play, completing an impressive sweep, while Denmark came in second, finishing with a scoreless draw against group winner France in the round robin finale. Take a look at our World Cup betting preview for this matchup between offensive fireworks, in Croatia, and a grinding, physical style, in Denmark.

Croatia vs Denmark 2018 World Cup Round of 16 Betting Preview

⚽ More practice? Yes please. 💪#BeProud #Croatia #FlamingPride #CRODEN #Family #WorldCup #Vatreni🔥 pic.twitter.com/AcVa8SzoBW

— HNS | CFF (@HNS_CFF) June 29, 2018

When: Sunday, July 1, 2018, 2:00pm ET Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow TV: FOX Radio: None Live Stream: fuboTV Soccer Odds: Croatia -123 / Draw +206 / Denmark +315 / O/U 2.5

Why should you bet on Croatia?

Croatia swept Argentina, Iceland and Nigeria in group play, with an offense that has shown both speed and balance, scoring seven goals in those three wins. They move well without the ball, and they communicate effectively. Their defense has been stout as well, as they have permitted just a pair of goals in their last four matches overall. With the teams that they have beaten to this point in the tournament, they may have more confidence than anyone else remaining in the bracket. Croatia last went this far at a World Cup 20 years ago, in France, when they went all the way to the quarterfinals. However, this side looks even better on offense, and they have won seven of 10 matches overall. That sort of consistency bodes well for the Croatians going up against Denmark, who relies on a plodding, physical style to wear out their opposition and force in a goal or two simply through weariness on the other side. If you like Croatia, you see them running circles around the Danes to get their goals.

Why should you bet on Denmark?

Denmark has advanced to the knockout round for the first time in 16 years and got there by wearing down their opponents. They have only permitted one goal in their last seven tilts, with clean sheets against Peru and France in group play. The problem for Denmark is that their offense can be pedestrian, with Eriksen basically the only playmaker. Denmark hasn’t advanced to a World Cup quarterfinal in 20 years, and their only chance to do so against Croatia is to use that defense to generate a counter chance early and then hold on the rest of the way. If you like Denmark, then you think Croatia may come out somewhat overconfident after their group play sweep, and you think Denmark will wake up from that malaise that marked their game against France, which ended up in a 0-0 snoozer, with neither team really interested in pushing all that hard.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

These two teams have not met in 14 years, a friendly that Croatia won by a 2-1 score. However, most of the players who will be on the pitch on Sunday would have been in elementary school when that match was played. I see Croatia’s speed and aggressiveness finding just enough openings in the Danish attack to generate a goal or two, while Denmark’s reliance on Eriksen will end up costing them. Final Score Prediction: Croatia 2, Denmark 1