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World Cup day 12 preview featuring Croatia v Belgium

We have reached day 12 of the World Cup in Qatar and there are four more games to look forward to, including Croatia's huge Group F clash with Belgium.

The Red Devils will likely need a victory to secure their place in the last-16 stage of the tournament, with a share of the spoils meaning they would need already-eliminated Canada to do them a favour against Morocco.

Group E also comes to a conclusion on Thursday, with the two later games seeing Costa Rica face Germany and Japan taking on Spain.

All four teams still have a chance of reaching the next stage and a fascinating end is in store for this pool.

End of the road for Belgium

What: Croatia v Belgium
Where: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan
When: 10:00 ET, Thursday December 1st
How to watch: Fox SportsTSN
Odds: Croatia +162, Draw +240, Belgium +162

Qatar was seen as the last chance for Belgium's 'Golden Generation' to lift the Jules Rimet trophy but, as we approach their final Group F clash on Thursday, thoughts of winning the World Cup look like a distant memory right now.

The Red Devils were fortunate to beat Canada 1-0 in their opener before they were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Morocco in their second outing, leaving Roberto Martinez's men third in the standings and in danger of an early exit.

A victory for Belgium would send them into the last-16 stage of the competition, so all hope is not lost, but whether they can raise their level to overcome a solid Croatia is another question.

Vatreni were slow out of the blocks, drawing 0-0 with the Atlas Lions, but they roared into life with a 4-1 thrashing of Canada - a result that knocked the Maple Leafs out of the tournament.

Hoffenheim striker Andrej Kramaric scored twice in that victory and he is +260 to net anytime on Thursday.

Atlas Lions to do enough

What: Canada v Morocco
Where: Al Thumama Stadium, Doha
When: 10:00 ET, Thursday December 1st
How to watch: TSN
Odds: Canada +250, Draw +240, Morocco +110

Morocco know a draw against Canada would be enough to send them into the last 16 for the just the second time in the country's history, having achieved this feat in 1986.

Head coach Walid Regragui only took charge of the Atlas Lions in August this year, but he has done a tremendous job so far - winning three and drawing three of his six matches in charge.

The 47-year-old has certainly made his side more defensively sound, as they are yet to concede since he took the reins after the sacking of former head coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

That resilience at the back is likely to see them pick up at least a share of the spoils against Canada, who have looked lively at the World Cup, but who are still lacking that cutting edge in the final third.

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Germany to sneak through

What: Costa Rica v Germany
Where: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor
When: 14:00 ET, Thursday December 1st
How to watch: TSN
Odds: Costa Rica +1800, Draw +900, Germany -900

Germany's tournament started in awful circumstances, as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Japan, and they needed a late equaliser against Spain last time out to ensure they were not knocked out early.

Hansi Flick's side are yet to click into gear, but they have the opportunity to reach the last-16 stage when they take on Costa Rica, who blew the group wide open by beating Japan in their second game.

Spain are top of Group E on four points, followed by Japan (three points), Costa Rica (three points) and then Germany (one point).

A victory for Germany would be enough to send them into the knockout rounds, as long as Japan fail to pick up all three points against La Roja.

A share of the spoils for the Samurai Blue would mean goal difference would come into the equation.

La Roja to down Samurai Blue

What: Japan v Spain
Where: Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan
When: 14:00 ET, Thursday December 1st
How to watch: TSN
Odds: Japan +800, Draw +375, Spain -275

Spain were immense in their 7-0 thumping of Costa Rica first up and although they were held to a 1-1 draw in their next clash against Germany, La Roja probably should have had that match wrapped up before conceding late on.

Luis Enrique's side are playing some attractive football and two big reasons for this has been the form of Gavi and Pedri, who are quickly becoming the poster boys of this Spanish side.

Japan will be no easy test though and the Samurai Blue are expected to put in an improved performance following the disappointing 1-0 loss to Costa Rica.

Hajime Moriyasu's troops often play better on the counter-attack and with Spain expected to have a lot of possession, this could play into the hands of the Japanese.

However, Spain's extra quality throughout their side should be enough to see them get the win and secure top spot in Group E, which would see them take on the runner-up in Group F.

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