Ghana (1-0-1) and Croatia (1-1-0) will face off today at 5:00 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa.
With both teams on the verge of advancing to the knockout rounds, this matchup presents a classic clash of styles between Ghana's disciplined defense and Croatia's experienced, possession-based approach.
Croatia is favored at a -130 price, with the over/under set at 2.5 (+125o / -155u) goals.
Let's get into my Croatia vs Ghana prediction.
Croatia vs Ghana Prediction
Pick: Both Teams to Score – No (-125)
My Croatia vs Ghana best bet is that at least one team fails to score today.
Croatia vs Ghana Odds
| Ghana Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+0.5 +110 | 2.5 125o / -155u | +450 |
| Croatia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-0.5 -135 | 2.5 125o / -155u | -130 |
Croatia vs Ghana World Cup Preview
This match represents the first-ever meeting between Croatia and Ghana, adding an element of unpredictability to the contest. However, historical trends provide some context.
Croatia has an excellent record against African nations in this competition, remaining undefeated in four matches with three wins and one draw. Their goal difference in those games is a dominant 8-1, including a 2-1 victory over Morocco in the 2022 tournament's third-place match.
Ghana, on the other hand, has a mixed record against European opponents, with two wins, two draws, and four losses in eight attempts. Their recent 0-0 draw with England demonstrates their ability to compete with top-tier European sides, particularly through defensive organization.
Manager Carlos Queiroz's pragmatic philosophy has been key, with Ghana relying on a disciplined low block and looking to counter through the pace of players like Antoine Semenyo and Jordan Ayew. Their style is underscored by data showing they average the fourth-worst sustained possession record, managing just four passing sequences of 10 or more passes per game.
Croatia's main challenge has been converting possession into goals. The aging but still brilliant midfield, led by Luka Modrić, can control the tempo, but the team has managed only seven shots on target across their first two matches. They have also been heavily reliant on goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, whose eight saves are the fifth-most in the tournament, suggesting their defense can be vulnerable.
Given that a draw suits both teams, a cagey, tactical battle is the most likely outcome.
Check out the best soccer odds before making your Croatia vs. Ghana picks.
Croatia vs Ghana Picks, Parlay
Leg 1: Both Teams to Score – No (-125, DraftKings)
Leg 2: Under 2.5 Goals (-155, DraftKings)
Ghana has built its tournament success on a foundation of defensive stability. Manager Carlos Queiroz has implemented an ultra-compact 4-5-1 system that has proven difficult to break down. This was evident in their goalless draw against England, where they stifled a potent attack and finished the game with an expected goals (xG) against of just 0.17.
Across their first two matches, Ghana has averaged just 29.6% possession and has yet to see a combined xG of over 2.0 in either fixture, highlighting their focus on keeping matches tight.
Croatia, meanwhile, has not looked like the offensive force of past tournaments. While they secured a vital 1-0 victory over Panama, they struggled to create clear-cut chances, registering only one other shot on target besides the goal.
Their total xG for the tournament sits at a modest 1.18, indicating that their attack is not firing on all cylinders. The fact that the 'Both Teams to Score – No' bet was successful in their last match further supports the idea that their games are tight contests.
The circumstances of the match also point toward a low-scoring game. A draw would likely be enough for both teams to advance to the next round, so neither side has a strong incentive to take unnecessary risks.
Ghana is unlikely to abandon the deep defensive block that has served them well, while Croatia will likely control possession with a patient, slow tempo. Seven of Ghana's last 10 matches have featured two or fewer goals, and this crucial encounter is set up to follow that trend.
Croatia vs Ghana Projected Lineups
Croatia Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Livakovic
Defenders: Stanisic, Pongracic, Sutalo, Gvardiol
Midfielders: Kovacic, Modric; Baturina, Pasalic, Perisic
Forwards: Budimir
Ghana Expected Lineup (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Asare
Defenders: Senaya, Adjetey, Opoku, Mensah
Midfielders: Yirenkyi, Partey, Sibo
Forwards: Williams, Ayew, Semenyo
Croatia vs Ghana Weather
It will be around 76 degrees in Philadelphia for today's match, but the players will have to deal with humidity and potentially rain and thunderstorms.
