The best offshore gambling sites don’t have it easy picking a favorite between Croatia and England. The two national football teams will meet in the semifinals of the 2018 World Cup. One will move on to the big one. The other will have to resign themselves to the shameful third-place playoff. Third place is so abhorrent, it’s what Starbucks aspires to be. True story. The Croatians knocked off hosts Russia in a grueling match. However, the Blazers had the added satisfaction of disappointing millions of local fans. Croatia has now at least matched the historical feat of the ’98 generation. Can they do them one better?
Meanwhile, England dispatched Sweden with relative ease. In true Brit fashion they played conservatively, and even boringly. No matter, though, because they have returned to the semis for the first time since 1990. Which, not unlike Croatia, was a generation filled with legends. For instance, Peter Shilton, Gary Lineker, David Platt, and Paul Gascoigne. Thus, both squads have, like the sons of so many clowns, some big shoes to fill.
Betting Croatia
English manager Gareth Southgate should try somehow hypnotizing the Croatians. “You are very tired. Your eyelids feel very heavy.” Seriously though. Croatia has gone to 120 minutes two games in a row. Add to the physical exertion the stress of the shootouts, and the Croatians must be almost running on empty. There is no rest for the wicked, though. And speaking of the devil, Luka Modric needs to be like a getaway car and keep his engine running. His lieutenant in the midfield will be Ivan Rakitic. Thus proving a Real Madrid and Barcelona players can get along.
On the other hand, goalie Danijel Subasic may get some unwanted rest. The Croatian net-minder’s hamstring gave him some trouble in the quarterfinals. Nevertheless, he managed to make it to the penalty kicks. Croatian fans who visit the best offshore gambling sites are crossing their fingers that Subasic will be ready to go.
Betting England
As hinted above, the Englishmen will be comparatively better rested than the Croatians. And not just talking about the World Cup. In life in general too. This is most likely this Croatian generation’s last hurrah. No wonder they have been playing with a sense of urgency. It’s now or never for them. The Brits, on the other hand, are a bunch of whippersnappers. They remind one of the Bakers Street Irregulars, Sherlock Holmes’s army of street urchins. They are young and hungry. Their future is so bright they gotta wear shades. Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Raheem Sterling. These are names of which we will be hearing a lot for a long time to come. Along with a new batch of youngsters that is being reared as we speak.
“In the future, England will be very difficult to beat,” former Italy manager Antonio Conte said. “Football in England is growing in an incredible way. The Under-17s are winning, the Under-19s are winning, the Under-20s have won. When you have this movement behind you, there are great possibilities for a strong national team.” So, can Heaven wait? Not bloody likely. The English players have the bulk of their career ahead of them. But that doesn’t mean they’re just going to let Croatia have this one. “In the future, England will be very difficult to beat”? Seems like the future has arrived.
Croatia vs. England Sportsbook Odds and Betting Information
- Date: 11 July 2018
- Time: 21:00 MSK (UTC+3)
- Venue: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
- Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey)
- Best online sportsbooks odds:
- Croatia +½ (-147) 2 (-105) +266
- England -½ (+132) 2 (-110) +136
- Draw +205
These odds were taken from GTBets.eu, one of the best offshore gambling sites out there.
