World Cup Semi Final Predictions

TUESDAY:

ARGENTINA V CROATIA

These two needed extra time and penalties to win their respective Quarter Final ties and they may need the same in this one.

Argentina looked well on course to beat Holland in normal time up until the Dutch brought on their big men. Those changes from the Dutch changed the game completely as Argentina looked unsettled and surprised with their reaction after being the team in control for much of the contest.

Lionel Scaloni's side will without their full backs in Gonzalo Montiel and Marcos Acuna for this game with both players being suspended after picking up their second yellow cards against the Dutch. But they will have Rodrigo De Paul available which is a big boost for them as he's had a decent tournament so far.

Croatia are the masters of extra time due to their recent history of winning games during that period. They somehow know how to navigate themselves through those extra minutes and they may need to do the same here if this one goes the distance.

They hammered Argentina 3-0 at the last World Cup where they reminded everyone of what they can do. This game will be different this time round as they'll be up against a much stronger side with an identity and better structure behind the scenes.

PREDICTION: 1-0

I can see this one go to extra time mainly because Croatia are involved. But I fancy Argentina to book their place in the final. Zlatko Dalic's side will be difficult to play against but with Argentina having someone like Lionel Messi in their side, I think they'll see themselves through here.

WEDNESDAY:

FRANCE V MOROCCO

France were fortunate to come away with a win in their Quarter Final against England but they found a way which what all the top teams do. They took their chances when they mattered and had Hugo Lloris to thank with the saves he made to keep them in the contest.

The French are yet to keep a clean sheet at this World Cup and one reason for that is probably because they've changed their backline in almost every game. They've made nine changes to their backline at this tournament and have at times looked like a team who can be got at.

Can Morocco do it again? They'll certainly believe that they can after beating the likes of Belgium, Spain and Portugal. They'll go into this one with a lot of confidence after the recent results they've had and particularly the win in the previous round against Portugal which was arguably their biggest test of the tournament so far.

There could be another close battle on the right hand side involving Kylian Mbappe but this time he'll be facing Morocco right back Achraf Hakimi. Both players are teammates at PSG and will both know each other's game because of them playing for the same club. This will surely make the battle between the pair very close indeed.

PREDICTION: 0-1

I fancy Morocco to do it again here as they're a tough side to play against and can really have a go at the French defence. They're yet to conceded a goal at this tournament and after keeping out Spain and Portugal in the previous two rounds, I can see them do the same here.