The thrills and spills continue while the drama intensifies as we enter the final week of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Only 4 teams remain in the competition with reigning champions France and the previous runners-up Croatia being the last surviving teams from Europe. Argentina is the sole representative from Latin America while giant-killers Morocco created history by becoming the first African nation to reach the last-4 of the FIFA World Cup.
Read EagleBet’s top FIFA World Cup 2022 betting predictions and tips below.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Betting Predictions – Sponsored by Sportaza
Semi Final Match 1: Argentina v Croatia Betting Prediction
The 1st Semi Final match will be contested between Argentina and Croatia at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, the showcase venue of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The match will kick-off this Tuesday, the 13th of December, at 22:00 local time.
Argentina
Sportaza Betting Odds: 1.90
Last 5 Matches Performance: L W W W W
Argentina sealed its place in the last-4 of Qatar World Cup 2022 after going past the Netherlands in a bad-tempered quarter-final encounter which had ended in a 2-2 draw at the end of extra-time. The 2-time champions are now just a win away from challenging for the big prize, just 8 years after making its previous appearance in the World Cup final.
The stars seem to be aligning in favour of Argentina while their fans believe the time has come for their great hero Lionel Messi to fulfil his destiny by bringing home the elusive World Cup in his final attempt. But Argentina has not been entirely convincing on their route to the final as they prepare to face the toughest challenge so far.
Defensively, Argentina has looked susceptible even against the lesser teams although goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez has been in superb form with some crucial saves over the course of the tournament. Leo Messi is the heart and soul of this team from a creative standpoint and he has been on an inspired form of late. But the midfield supporting-cast such as Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister will have to step up their game for this clash.
Probable starting XI: Emiliano Martínez (gk), Nicolás Otamendi, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Marcos Acuña, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.
Croatia
Sportaza Betting Odds: 4.75
Last 5 Matches Performance: D W D W W
Perennial underdogs Croatia showcased its exceptional resilience yet again by bagging a late equaliser in extra-time to earn a 1-1 draw before dispatching the 5-time champions Brazil in the penalty-shootout. Head-coach Zlatko Dalic and his team deserve all the plaudits for securing its passage to last-4 for the 2nd World Cup in succession.
Croatia is the un-fancied side with the bookies in this contest but this team cannot be discounted at any cost especially in a World Cup that has been filled with numerous surprises. Croatia is overloaded with superstars unlike some of the more glamorous teams, but in terms of mentality and teamwork it is second to none.
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic has been one of the most important players of this team, most notably for making multiple saves during the penalty-shootouts. Meanwhile Dejan Lovren and Josko Gvardiol have looked quite solid as the centre-back pairing with Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield. And Croatia will hope Bruno Petkovic can provide some much-needed cutting-edge up front after opening his tally in the last game.
Probable starting XI: Dominik Livakovic (gk), Dejan Lovren, Josko Gvardiol, Josip Juranovic, Borna Sosa, Marcelo Brozovic, Matteo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Bruno Petkovic.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Top Betting Tips
Both Teams to Score: Yes at 2.22 on Sportaza
Argentina has managed to score in every match of this World Cup but it has also let in 5 goals in these 5 games. Therefore Croatia should be able to open its account in this game but it has failed to keep a clean-sheet in both of its previous 2 knockout matches.
Last Goal: Yes at 2.85 on Sportaza
Argentina has conceded 5 times during this World Cup and every one of those goals were scored after the half-time interval. Meanwhile Croatia has opened its tally in just 3 of its 5 matches in Qatar 2022 yet it also scored the final goal in each of those 3 games.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Extra Betting Tips
Will There Be Overtime: Yes at 3.25 on Sportaza
Total Goals & Both Teams to Score: Under 2.5 & Yes at 6.66 on Sportaza
Match Prediction
Correct Score: Argentina 1-1 Croatia at 6.40 on Sportaza
To Qualify: Croatia at 2.90 on Sportaza
Semi Final Match 2: France v Morocco Betting Prediction
The Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor is getting ready for its last match of the tournament when it hosts the 2nd Semi Final match between France and Morocco. The match will kick-off this Wednesday, the 14th of December, at 22:00 local time.
France
Sportaza Betting Odds: 1.54
Last 5 Matches Performance: W W L W W
Following the 2-1 victory over neighbours England in the quarter-final, France booked its spot in the last-4 of the World Cup for the 3rd time in its last 5 appearances. The 2-time winners are inching closer in their attempt to become the only team to successfully defend the World Cup in 60 years.
While most of the European heavyweights have fallen by the wayside, France has lived up to its tag as one of the favourites of the tournament. Despite the tremendous quality and depth of the squad, France has not completely dominated every game of Qatar World Cup 2022 but it has certainly managed to make a difference when it was needed the most.
Skipper Hugo Lloris gave a massive performance between the posts in the quarter-final but overall, the defence still looks vulnerable after conceding a couple of penalties in the last match. But Aurelien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann have provided the graft and creativity in midfield while Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud are among the top-scorers of the World Cup with 9 goals between the two strikers.
Probable strating XI: Hugo Lloris (gk), Raphaël Varane, Dayot Upamecano, Jules Koundé, Theo Hernández, Aurélien Tchouameni, Adrien Rabiot, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud.
Morocco
Sportaza Betting Odds: 7.00
Last 5 Matches Performance: D W W W W
Morocco continued its giant-slaying act after snatching a 1-0 win over Portugal in their quarter-final clash en route to becoming the first African nation to reach the last-4 of the World Cup. The Atlas Lions have now defeated 3 teams placed inside the top-10 of the FIFA Rankings during Qatar World Cup 2022 besides extending its unbeaten-run to 10 matches.
Head-coach Walid Regragui has garnered huge praise from all corners for making such a massive improvement to the team over a short space of time. He has instilled a superb attitude within the squad and the players have responded to demands with brilliant teamwork and industry, especially on the defensive-end of the field.
Goalkeeper Yassine Bouno has arguably been the standout performer of the team with vital saves in every game of the tournament. But first-choice centre-backs Romain Saïss and Nayef Aguerd might be unavailable although their replacements Jawad El Yamiq and Achraf Dari have stepped up to the plate. Influential winger Hakim Ziyech should be ready for this clash however, after limping off the field in the last match.
Probable starting XI: Yassine Bounou (gk), Jamal El Yamiq, Achraf Dari, Achraf Hakimi, Yahya Attiat-Allah, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Selim Amallah, Sofiane Boufal, Hakim Ziyech, Youssef En-Nesyri.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Top Betting Tips
Both Teams to Score: Yes at 2.42 on Sportaza
France is averaging more than 2 goals per game in Qatar World Cup 2022 but it has not managed to collect a single clean-sheet in the tournament. Therefore Morocco should be able to open its tally in this match even though it has scored just 5 goals during this World Cup.
Anytime Goal Scorer: Kylian Mbappé at 2.05 on Sportaza
Kylian Mbappé is the top-scorer of Qatar World Cup 2022 with 5 goals to his name which also takes his personal World Cup tally to 9 goals in 12 matches. The 23 year-old superstar did not get on the score-sheet in the last match so he seems due for a goal in this encounter.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Extra Betting Tips
Total Goals & Both Teams to Score: Over 2.5 & Yes at 3.20 on Sportaza
Morocco Highest Scoring Half: 2nd Half at 5.00 on Sportaza
Match Prediction
Correct Score: France 2-1 Morocco at 9.00 on Sportaza
To Qualify: France at 1.20 on Sportaza
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