Football | Monday, December 12, 2022 2:19 PM (Revised at: Tuesday, December 13, 2022 10:01 AM)

Argentina vs Croatia Best Prop Bets: Best Prob Bets from Five Markets

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European Football Expert

Argentina vs Croatia Best Prop Bets: Tuesday, December 13th

We have the best prop market bets for you ahead of the first World Cup semi-final. Argentina were amongst the favourites heading into Qatar. They have performed well and bounced back from their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match. Croatia are looking to upset the odds once again and make it to a second consecutive World Cup final.

In this article:

Argentina vs Croatia Props Preview

World Cup Semi-Final, Tuesday, December 13th, 19:00 (UK)

The props markets offer us an opportunity to find value in what promises to be an intriguing semi-final. Each of these teams has played five matches in this tournament. The matches so far have given us an indication of what we can expect from each team on Tuesday.

We’ve looked at a number of markers ranging from throws to player passes. There are some appealing lines for both over and under bets as we gear up for this exciting clash.

Argentina vs Croatia Throw Ins Preview

Excluding the periods of extra time, (bet365 do not include extra time in their bet settlement) Croatia’s matches are averaging 42.8 throws per game in this tournament. Argentina’s matches in Qatar are averaging 39.8 throws per game.

These averages drop significantly in matches where the teams have been similarly priced to win. Argentina’s last five similar matches are averaging 32.8 throws per game. Croatia’s are averaging 34.2.

Dalic’s side will look to remain compact and will be reluctant to press from the front against Scaloni’s team. Expect there to be fewer throws than the tournament average of 40.17 per game.

Argentina vs Croatia Throw Ins Best Bet

Both of Croatia’s knockout matches have been cagey affairs that have seen under 40.5 throws land. Their last match against Brazil saw just 28 throws.

Their approach against the other giant in South America should be very similar. Dalic wants his side to restrict the space between the lines that Messi likes to operate in. The Croatians are also capable of holding onto the ball for long periods with their accomplished midfield. Both of these qualities should lead to very few throws on Tuesday.

Selection: Under 40.5 Match Throws (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.90 (bet365)
Stakes: 8/10

Argentina vs Croatia Tackles Preview

Argentina’s matches in this tournament are averaging 30 tackles per game. Their two knockout matches so far have seen 27 and 26 tackles.

Croatia’s matches are averaging 30.6 tackles per game. Their knockout matches have seen 31 and 21 tackles. The Croatians should be reluctant to dive in and risk losing their shape when out of possession.

Surprisingly, Argentina have forced the 19th most tackles per game in this tournament. Their opponents are averaging just 14.8 per game despite the number of great dribblers they have at their disposal. Croatia’s opponents average just 14 tackles per game.

Argentina vs Croatia Tackles Best Bet

Croatia’s last match saw 31 tackles. Brazil matches averaged 37.6 tackles per game; well above the tournament average of 31.32. Croatia’s approach to stifle their opponents meant tackles were at a premium in comparison to Brazil’s other matches.

England’s semi-final against Croatia at the World Cup saw just 22 tackles in normal time. Under 31.5 tackles looks a good bet here.

Selection: Under 31.Match Tackles (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 7/10

Argentina vs Croatia Shots Preview

Croatia’s last match saw 20 shots in normal time and a further 10 in extra time.

Argentina’s matches are averaging just 17 shots in this tournament. However, if the Croatians remain resolute, expect there to be more as this game rumbles on. The Argentinians expect their team to be in the final. It will be Messi and Co. who are taking the game to the opposition.

Scaloni’s side had just 7 shots in the 90 minutes against the Dutch. They looked to be cruising through until the very last minute and were reluctant to commit men forward. They had 7 shots in the second half of extra time as they looked to avoid a penalty shootout.

Argentina vs Croatia Shots Best Bet

Croatia have the defensive quality and tactical nous to avoid conceding early on here. Argentina will commit bodies forward as they look to avoid penalties against a Croatian side who have a perfect record in shootouts at the World Cup.

There were 24 shots when these teams met at the last World Cup. Croatia’s matches are averaging 20.4 shots in normal time at this tournament. The nature of this game should mean we see more. Their semi-final four years ago saw 24 shots in normal time.

Selection: Over 20.5 Match Shots (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.80 (bet365)
Stakes: 7/10

Argentina vs Croatia Free Kicks Preview

Argentina’s matches at this tournament are averaging 27 fouls per game but bet365’s free kick market also includes offsides. The Argentine’s matches are averaging 3.6 offsides per game.

Croatia’s matches in Qatar are averaging 22.6 fouls per game and 3.4 offsides. The high-stakes nature of this one with a place in the final up fro grabs should mean those numbers are inflated.

Yellow cards were wiped after the quarter-final matches so players will be less cautious when diving in. They should also be more inclined to make professional fouls in order to break up opposition attacks.

Argentina vs Croatia Free Kicks Best Bet

There were 44 free kicks when these teams last met. That encounter came in the group stage with neither side running the risk of elimination.

Orsato is at the whistle for this one. The Italian took charge of Argentina’s match against Mexico earlier in the tournament. There were 40 free kicks in that one. He also took charge of Qatar vs Ecuador. There were 37 free kicks in that game.

There were 35 free kicks awarded in Argentina’s quarter-final against the Dutch in normal time. Croatia’s last match saw 33 free kicks in normal time.

Selection: Over 30.5 Match Free Kicks (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.90 (bet365)
Stakes: 9/10

Argentina vs Croatia Passes Preview

Croatia have an experienced midfield who are able to keep the ball under pressure. They had 51% possession against Brazil despite being underdogs. Dalic’s men showed very little attacking intent and opted to keep the ball for long periods of the match. This helped their midfielders complete a high number of passes.

Australia’s Aaron Mooy made 58 passes against Argentina despite his team having just 39% possession. The Croatians are far more comfortable on the ball and their talismanic midfielder, Luka Modric, is always looking to receive it.

Argentina vs Croatia Passes Best Bet

Modric is averaging 74.6 passes per game in this tournament. He attempted 115 passes in 120 minutes against a much fancied Brazil side.

Frenkie De Jong was the only Dutch midfielder to play the full 90 minutes of regulation time. He attempted more than the 62 passes required for this bet and went on to make 92 passes including extra time.

Selection: Over 61.5 Modric Passes (TRACKED BET)
Best Odds: 1.83 (bet365)
Stakes: 7/10

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Our best bets are our best value football tips. Our best bets are posted by our expert tipsters. Each tip is the result of detailed analysis and expert knowledge from out resident experts. Follow up on bettingexpert to get regular updates on best bets to go with.

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