Mark your World Cup viewing calendars for June 23, as Croatia and Mexico prepare to fight for the right to advance to the World Cup knockout round in their third and decisive group game.
Croatia, our pick to take second in our Group A preview, is coming off a 4-0 demolition of Cameroon. But Mexico’s defense, led by the superhuman efforts of goalie Guillermo Ochoa , foiled Brazil last time out and has yet to allow a single goal in the tournament.
Read on for everything you need to know about this pivotal game in Group A.
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Mexico vs. Croatia, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
For Mexico, a win or a draw will guarantee them second place in Group A. They also have an outside shot at winning the group if they have a winning margin two goals better than a Brazil win, or if Brazil loses to Cameroon.
For Croatia, only a win will provide qualification and their only chance to top Group A is to win and hope for a Brazil defeat.
Betting on Mexico
Guillermo Ochoa made himself an instant celebrity with his show-stopping performance between the sticks to help Mexico preserve a hard-earned 0-0 draw with Brazil. The Mexican goalkeeper made a handful of breathtaking saves to deny the hosts’ goal-bound efforts. In two games thus far, Mexico has yet to concede a single goal.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Wary of Brazil’s threat going forward, Mexico opted for a more conservative approach and executed it well. Coach Miguel Hererra may use a similar approach against Croatia, as Mexico only needs to avoid defeat to advance.
Mexico’s midfield trio of Hector Herrera, Andres Guardado and Jose Vazquez has been excellent so far in the tournament. As they did against Cameroon, the Mexicans should be able to control the midfield zone against a Croatian team that lacks a legitimate holding midfielder who can win back possession.
The forward pairing of Oribe Peralta and Giovani dos Santos had little to do against Brazil because the defensive formation left the two isolated. That may be the case again if Herrera decides to sit back. Nevertheless, dos Santos has the pace and ability to exploit Croatia’s shaky central defenders if he gets on the ball.
With the group stages coming to an end, get a move on and create a betting account right now in time for the World Cup knockout round.
Betting on Croatia
As the emphatic 4-0 score line suggests, Croatia was hardly troubled by “The Indomitable Lions” of Cameroon. The dismissal of Alex Song near the end of the first half opened the floodgates for Croatia, but even at 11-v-11, they looked very much in control.
Luka Modric shook off a foot injury he suffered against Brazil and even played the full 90 minutes. Modric’s apparent fitness is very good news for Croatia ahead of its decisive battle with Mexico. The Croatians will need to hold their own against the Mexicans’ packed midfield, which means Modric and Ivan Rakitic must be playing at their best.
They can’t do it alone, though. Forward Ivica Olic is a very willing defender, and Ivan Perisic on the opposite flank must follow suit to help make up the numbers in midfield against Mexico. The ability of those two to perform a defensive role while providing sufficient support for Mario Mandzukic will be critical to their team’s chances of victory.
The Croatians have the luxury of knowing and controlling their own fate, which is basically win and they’re in. Whether that amounts to manager Niko Kovac going all-out in attack is unknown. But he can count on the knowledge that star striker Mario Mandzukic, who scored twice in their win over Cameroon, will be sharp as ever to get an important goal.
Writer’s Prediction
Mexico’s outstanding defense holds out Croatia’s attack to eke out the draw they need to advance.
