World Cup quarter-finals Preview: Croatia vs. Brazil and Netherlands vs. Argentina

The first quarter-finals of the World Cup will be played today when Croatia meets Brazil and the Netherlands meet Argentina.

Croatia:
Croatia are becoming known as the tournament's fighters and survivors, often only winning their matches in extra time or on penalties when the knock out matches begin.
Croatia's strengths and chances in this match definitely lie in their fighter's will, if the Croatians can make it a match with lots of duels and tackles then they will clearly have an advantage.

Croatia has perhaps the tournament's best midfield with Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic and their routine and qualities can be decisive if the midfield battle is to be won.
Lovren and Guardiola will have to play the match of their lives if they are to be able to close down the Brazilian stars, this could be a decisive factor in the match, as Brazil is best known for their offensive game.

Predicted Lineup:
Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic

Player profile: 
This could possibly be Modric's last World Cup match and therefore he will be highly motivated. His routine and obvious qualities will be decisive for whether Croatia can create a result.

Brazil:
Brazil were favorites in advance to take their 6 World Cup trophy and it must be said that they have maintained their favorite status with their great play and results so far.
It is difficult to see where Brazil's weaknesses are as they have a good mix of experience and youth in their squad.

When you talk about Brazil, you talk about the joy of football and offensive play that should entertain people. So far it has been successful, but now they meet Croatia, who are known for being tactically skilled and good at taking the pace out of matches. This could be the weakness for Brazil, but with the attacking qualities in the squad, it seems unlikely that Croatia can keep Brazil from chances.

Predicted Lineup:
Alisson; Militao, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Danilo; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Neymar, Vinicius Jr; Richarlison

Player Profile: 
Richarlison has been Brazil's offensive profile while Neymar has been absent. However, we think it is an advantage for Richarlison that Neymar is there, it seems that the two have a good cooperation.

Netherlands:
Holland is probably the team of the remaining ones that has struggled the most to find their style of play, they have been criticized for playing boring instead of the football that Holland is usually known for. However, national coach Van Gaal has stated that he does not care about the game, he is here to get the results to win the World Cup.

Van Gaal has stubbornly stuck to playing a 3-5-2, although several players such as captain Van Dijk have stated that he himself prefers 4 in the defense.
However, you have to give Van Gaal that he is right in his decisions in relation to creating results, as Holland is without defeat in the last 19 games.

The Netherlands must win the game tactically and in principle the two teams are a bit similar as they depend on individual performances to get the desired result.

Predicted Lineup: 
Noppert; Timber, Van Dijk, Ake; Dumfries, De Jong, De Roon, Blind; Klaassen; Gakpo, Depay

Player Profile: 
Frenkie De Jong will be crucial as he must both keep track of Messi, while at the same time he must be the man who puts Holland's attack together.

Argentina: 
All the talk has been around Lionel Messi for this game due to his performances and the fact that this is probably his last World Cup. However, Argentina is far more than Messi, but it is an obvious advantage to have a player who takes so much attention on the field.
Argentina have not been convincing in their game, but with a solid defensive and an average of 2 goals per game, they are still favorites against the Netherlands.
Argentina must become more dominant in the matches and get more pace in the game before they again can be counted as a final candidate.

Predcited Lineup:
Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuna; Fernandez, De Paul, Mac Allister; Di Maria, Messi, Alvarez

Player Profile: 
With the World Cup Messi is going through, he will undoubtedly be the profile of the game, he is Argentina's talisman, and everything goes through him.
He misses the World Cup trophy in his collection and the hunger for this will be reflected on the pitch today.