Brazil vs Croatia Prediction: Thiago ready to step up

Brazil and Croatia continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup when they clash in a friendly at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando in the early hours of Wednesday (KO 01:00, ITV4).

Croatia were World Cup finalists in 2018 and made the last four in Qatar last time out, while the once-mighty Brazil have only made it past the quarter-finals once since their 2002 triumph in Japan and South Korea.

Croatia warmed up with a 2-1 win over Colombia at this stadium on Thursday, while Brazil went down 2-1 against France in Foxborough at Gillette Stadium. Read on for my Brazil vs Croatia predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Brazil's defeat to Les Bleus in Massachusetts came at a cost as attacker Raphinha suffered a hamstring problem likely to sideline the Barcelona player for a month. Both Vinicius Jnr. and Wesley are rated doubts for this game, though defender Marquinhos, who missed the France defeat, could return now.

Premier League stars Joao Pedro and Matheus Cunha may get the nod to start up front if Vinicius Jnr misses out, though Igor Thiago will also be in the mix.

Josko Gvardiol is recovering from a broken leg and is racing against time to be fit for the World Cup, but otherwise, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has few worries.

Luka Modric – now aged 40 – came off the bench against Colombia and could start this time alongside fellow veteran Ivan Perisic.

Football Odds

Brazil vs Croatia Odds

Brazil are favourites at 8/11 to bounce back from defeat to France with a win here. Croatia can be backed at 3/1 to make it back-to-back wins over South American opposition and the draw trades at 11/4.

Both teams to find the net is a 4/6 chance, while Over 2.5 goals can be backed at 4/6.

Today's Football Fixtures

Draw @ 11/4

There shouldn't be much to split these sides and indeed, on balance, Croatia might be overpriced for the win.

Brazil have managed just one win in four games, defeating Senegal in a friendly while losing against Japan and France, alongside a draw with Tunisia.

Croatia won seven of eight in their qualifying group and conceded just four goals. They beat Colombia, despite falling behind inside two minutes when Jhon Arias scored.

The last competitive meeting was the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, which ended goalless before Neymar and Bruno Petkovic traded goals in extra-time. Given Brazil's recent struggles, a stalemate here looks a solid play.

Igor Thiago anytime goalscorer @ 6/4

Brazil went with Vinicius Jnr. and Matheus Cunha in their forward line against France and the likes of Igor Thiago and Joao Pedro will be hoping for starts this time.

Cunha's record now shows just one goal in 19 appearances for the Selecao. Brentford's Thiago, meanwhile, made his debut off the bench against the French. The 24-year-old has scored 19 Premier League goals this term and it would be no shock to see him starting here.

Before his cameo international bow, Thiago had scored four in six for Brentford and he could be set to register his first Brazil goal here.

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