France and Croatia will face off on Monday morning (16/07/2018) in the Final for the World Cup in Russia. We take a look at both teams odds and give our tips, preview and value bets for the World Cup 2018 Final match which is shaping up to be a cracking encounter.
When: 01:00 | Monday 16/07/2018
Watch: SBS HD
Preview:
This is it! Just 90 minutes (or will it be 120?) stands between one of these teams and World Cup glory. Didier Deschamp’s Les Bleus have taken a far easier road to the final playing 90 minutes less than Croatia.
Zlatko Dalic has praised his team and insists that their miracle run is built on a foundation of teamwork rather than superstars. Fatigue is the biggest variable in this match, with Dalic conceding that Croatia were tired coming into their match against England.
Three reasons Croatia will be fatigued coming into this match.
Penalties. Croatia have been through two penalty shootouts in both the round of 16 against Denmark and the quarter final against Russia.
Extra time. In all three elimination round matches, Croatia have taken the match to a full 120 minutes.
Tougher matches. Croatia were drawn in a tougher group, with Nigeria (2-0 win), Argentina (3-0) and Iceland (2-1 win) offering them no opportunities to rest key players.
When you contrast this against the fact that France were able to rest key players on Matchday 3 against Denmark, they will hit the World Cup final mentally and physically fresher than Croatia.
Goals above or below 1.5?
The goals over/under is set lower than usual which is backed by World Cup history which shows that 6/7 of the last World Cup finals have had less than 2 goals scored. Croatia have conceded in every elimination round match so far and on that basis and against an incredible French attack we favour goals over 1.5.
Both teams to score?
Whilst the floodgates opened against Argentina where France opened the elimination round with a 4-3 win in the round of 16, since that match they have not conceded a single goal. We think that the score in this match will be in the range of 2-0 to France and that Croatia will struggle to score as players tire against a defence that Belgium struggled to take shots against, let alone score.
FINAL SAY: France essentially outplayed Belgium at their own game in the semi final, sitting back with a strong defensive structure and hitting the Red Devils with the incredible attacking power of players like Mbappe, Griezmann and Pogba.
We think that whilst Croatia have been exceptional to get this far, the combination of fresher legs, Hugo Lloris in brilliant form between goals, two clean sheets entering this game and a balanced world class squad will see France win their second World Cup.
Odds:
Tip: France at $1.91
Value BET: France 3-1 at $20.00
*Odds correct at time of posting. Subject to change
