The World Cup final is finally here with two of the best teams over the tournament set to take to the pitch for the match that will determine the World Champions. The Big Game Focus takes a look at this fixture with some smart tips for your considerations.
Croatia will be out to defy all the odds and win their first ever World Cup title when they face France on Sunday, who are aiming for their second World Cup trophy.
France were expected to come this far as they have one of the most balanced teams in the tournament. Their last competitive tournament saw them reach the finals of the Euros where they lost to Portugal.
The same cannot be said of Croatia who were expected to exit during the early stages of the competition. To the surprise of everybody, they did the unthinkable by beating Argentina, Russia and England to make it to the final. The Croatians have quality all over the pitch and that has been apparent during this World Cup.
As far as the overall game goes we should expect a very competitive fixture that should produce goals at both ends. This is one game that will be decided by the finer details and it will be interesting to find out who comes out on top.
Betting preview
Croatia have reached their first World Cup final, and the last two first-time finalists have both won the tournament with France in 1998 and Spain in 2010. Therefore you can back a Croatia Win at odds of 4.90 here.
Both teams have found the back of the net in Croatia’s last five outings and with the quality of forwards involved in this fixture this looks set to happen again. Odds of 2.30 look extremely attractive for Both Teams to Score and you can do so by following this link.
Antoine Griezmann has scored or assisted 11 goals in nine knockout games at major tournaments including the World Cup and the Euros, more than any other player for France over the last 50 years. He is ahead of Zinedine Zidane whose record stands at eight goals and Michel Platini who had six. He makes an excellent choice for our Anytime Goalscorer market at odds of 2.60 here.
Team news
Didier Deschamps is not likely to make any changes for the final. Djibril Sidibe is still a doubt and Benjamin Pavard will continue at right back where he has excelled. Blaise Matuidi is expected to recover from his collision with Eden Hazard in the semi-final.
Ivan Strinic and Mario Mandzukic looked to have sustained injuries when they played against England on Wednesday night, but they are expected to be fit in time for the final as Zlatko Dalic’s looks to name an unchanged starting eleven.
Possible line-ups
France: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Kante, Pogba, Matuidi, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud.
Croatia: Subasic, Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, Strinic, Brozovic, Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Rebic, Mandzukic.