World Cup 2014 Opta Stats: Croatia

Luka Modric will be key for Croatia this summer

Croatia have failed to get past the group stages every time they've qualified since 1998. Can they do it this time? Luke Moore takes a look at what the Opta stats say...

Croatia are taking part in their fourth World Cup. Their best performance is a third place in the 1998 campaign. They haven't managed to go past the group stages in the other two participations (2002 & 2006). Back them to qualify from the group stages at 2.245/4

Mario Mandzukic was Croatia's top scorer in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers (4 goals). He was sent off in the play-off with Iceland and will miss the opening game against Brazil. You can still back him to win the Golden Boot at a massive 200.0199/1

Croatia have won only one of their last six games at the World Cup (2-1 v Italy, 8 June 2002). They are currently 12.5n/a to beat Brazil in the opening game of World Cup 2014

Croatia have only kept one clean sheet in their last eight World Cup games (0-0 v Japan, 18 June 2006). Fancy them to get a clean sheet against Brazil in the opening game? Back it at 6.86/1

However, Croatia have only conceded 11 goals in 13 World Cup games (0.85/game). It's the best ratio among the 32 teams taking part in 2014. Group A is 6.25/1 to be the group with the least goals this summer

Croatia's last nine World Cup games have produced six red cards. Back how many red cards you think the tournament will have here.

Overall World Cup record

Games: 13
Wins: 6
Draws: 2
Losses: 5
Goals for: 15
Goals against: 11