Croatia will be hoping to have left-back Borna Sosa back in the fold for Friday's World Cup 2022 quarter-final showdown with Brazil at Education City Stadium.

Sosa was not involved in Monday's last-16 victory on penalties against Japan due to a virus, but the Stuttgart man is set to recover in time to face Brazil and he could replace Borna Barisic at left-back.

Josip Stanisic also missed the win over Japan due to a muscle injury and the Bayern Munich right-back remains a doubt, with Josip Juranovic expected to continue on the right side of a back four as a result.

RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has been a standout performer for Croatia so far this tournament and has shown why a plethora of top European clubs are after his signature.

The 20-year-old is set to continue his partnership at the heart of the defence alongside 33-year-old Dejan Lovren, shielding goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic who saved three penalties in Croatia's shootout triumph over Japan.

Midfield maestros Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic have started in all four of Croatia's World Cup games so far in Qatar and they are expected to retain their places on Friday, with Lovro Majer, Mario Pasalic and Nikola Vlasic providing cover on the substitutes' bench.

Ivan Perisic scored in normal time against Japan and has drawn level with assistant coach Mario Mandzukic (33) as Croatia's joint-second highest scorer; the Tottenham Hotspur winger is poised to continue on the left side of the front three, with Andrej Kramaric operating on the opposite flank.

Bruno Petkovic was handed his first start of the World Cup last time out and he will be hoping to keep his place as the central striker on Friday, although both Marko Livaja and Ante Budimir will be pushing for a starting berth down the middle.

Croatia possible starting lineup: Livakovic; Juranovic, Lovren, Gvardiol, Sosa; Kovacic, Brozovic, Modric; Kramaric, Petkovic, Perisic

> Click here to see how Brazil could line up for this contest

Written by
Oliver Thomas