While France being in the 2018 World Cup final isn’t a shock as Les Bleus were one of the pre-tournament favorites, Croatia being there is a surprise. The country of about 4 million is the second-smallest to reach a World Cup final and looks for its first title. The French eye their second, also winning in 1998. They are the MyBookie Sportsbook favorites for Sunday’s World Cup final.
France’s path to the World Cup final didn’t come as much of a surprise, as it was considered one of the favorites before the tournament started. It landed in Group C with Denmark, Peru, and Australia, and was a heavy favorite to win the group, which it did.Didier Deschamps, a captain on the 1998 team, is not expected to make any changes from the side that beat Belgium in the semi-finals. Djibril Sidibe is still a doubt for Les Bleus but Benjamin Pavard is expected to start at right-back. Blaise Matuidi avoided significant harm in a challenge with Eden Hazard that forced him off but should be fine to start on Sunday. Olivier Giroud should start up front despite a poor performance last time out.Deschamps is the 4th man to play in and manage a World Cup final. He joins Franz Beckenbauer, Rudi Völler, and Mário Zagallo. His team has a ton of offensive firepower with players like Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe up front, and N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba in the midfield.Croatia has never beaten France in five previous meetings, although the last two encounters have ended in a draw. They last met in a 2011 friendly in Paris, which ended 0-0. Their only World Cup matchup was in 1998 in the semifinals when France won 2-1 on the way to the title.
2018 World Cup Final Odds & Betting Prediction: France vs Croatia
At today’s press conference, @paulpogba talked about the mental attitude required to win a final, Croatia’s strengths & the more defensive role he has adopted.
Watch excerpts (with Eng subs) on our YT channel👉 https://t.co/OsQgtj0OSS#FiersdetreBleus #WorldCupFinal #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/CU22X9dODs— French Team (@FrenchTeam) 12 de julio de 2018
- When: Sunday, 11 AM ET
- Where: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow
- TV/Stream: Fox/Fox Sports Go
- 2018 World Cup Final Odds: France -110 / Croatia +300 / Draw +220 (Total of 2)
Ronaldo is On His Way to Juventus
Why Bet on Croatia?
- Confederation: UEFA
- Head coach: Zlatko Dalić
- Captain: Luka Modric
- FIFA Ranking: 20
- World Cup Appearances: 5
Projected Line-Up
- 23-D. Subašić
- 21-D. Vida
- 3-I. Strinić
- 6-D. Lovren
- 2-Š. Vrsaljko
- 10-L. Modrić
- 7-I. Rakitić
- 4-I. Perišić
- 11-M. Brozović
- 17-M. Mandžukić
- 18-A. Rebić
Why Bet on France?
- Confederation: UEFA
- Head coach: Didier Deschamps
- Captain: Hugo Lloris
- FIFA Ranking: 7
- World Cup Appearances: 15

Projected Line-Up
- 1-H. Lloris
- 4-R. Varane
- 5-S. Umtiti
- 21-L. Hernández
- 2-B. Pavard
- 6-P. Pogba
- 13-N. Kanté
- 12-C. Tolisso
- 7-A. Griezmann
- 9-O. Giroud
- 10-K. Mbappé