Match 1: Belgium – Tunisia

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Belgium and Tunisia. The  team of R. Martinez (FIFA ranking: 3), that won its first match against Panama (3-0) has been qualified undefeated from the European Preliminaries round, while on the other hand the team of N. Maaloul (FIFA ranking: 21), lost its first match (2-1 from England) has been also qualified undefeated from the African Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Belgium

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Fouls Won
Goal +	Interception

Tunisia

Strengths	Weaknesses
Goal +	Yellow Cards
Interception	Goal –

Team Statistical Profiles:

Belgium

1. Belgium’s preliminaries stats for Goal+ and Goal- were really productive. On average, Belgium scored 4.3 goals AND received 0.6 per game. In 10 preliminary games, Belgium achieved 9 wins and only 1 drawn, against Greece. Its average shots on target is almost double-sized with 9.5 shots per game. Moreover, Belgium managed to keep the clean sheet in 60% of its games at the preliminaries.
2. It usually receives 1.5 yellow cards per game. In case that Belgium faces difficulties during the game it is expected to receive more yellow cards than its average.

Tunisia

1. Tunisia, based on its preliminaries stats, shots more than 15 shots per game (its average value in total shots is 15.25).
2. It usually gets in average 1.5 yellow cards per game and if the game is not going so well for Tunisia, its players might receive even more yellow cards than its average.

Prediction of the Game:

The following graph illustrates the estimated probabilities regarding the result of this game:

The projected indicators for the game:
The referee is predicted to show at least 3 yellow cards. Both of the teams might try enough shots during the game. But Belgium is projected to have more shots on target than Tunisia and in the end more chances to reach the win, scoring at least 2 goals.

Match 2: South Korea – Mexico

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between South Korea and Mexico. The team of Shin-Tae Yong (FIFA ranking: 61), lost its firts game against Sweden (0-1), qualified from the Asian Preliminaries round, while the team of Juan Carlos Osorio (FIFA ranking: 15), won its first game against Germany (1-0) qualified from the Central American Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

South Korea

Strengths	Weaknesses
Shots off Target	Goal –
Interception	Shots on Target

Mexico

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Fouls Won
Aerial Duels Won	Shots off Target

Team Statistical Profiles:

South Korea

1. South Korea, is not likely to shot a lot during the game. Its average value in total shots at the preliminaries was almost 7-8 shots per game, with most of the shots being on target.
2. Following the previous statement, if South Korea does not try more than 2 shots on target then it is expected to face difficulties on getting a win.
3. Finally, South Korea is expected to receive at least 1 goal AND 1 yellow card during the game.

Mexico

1. Based on its preliminaries stats, Mexico scores on average 1.8 goals per game. When it does so, Mexico has an average ball possession close to 61%. Moreover, when it faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with South Korea, Mexico is expected to score in average 2 goals.
2. It has been observed that when Mexico, receives at least 2 yellow cards during a game, it faces difficulties on scoring a goal and even more on getting a positive result.
3. Finally, in more than 60% of the preliminaries games, Mexico managed to keep the clean sheet (10/16) AND its main characteristic is the well organised defensive line.

Prediction of the Game:

The following graph illustrates the estimated probabilities regarding the result of this game:

The projected indicators for the game:
The referee is projected to show at least 2-3 yellow cards. South Korea is expected to have less shots on target and shots off target than Mexico, facing difficulties in the end to get a positive result. While, Mexico is expected to win the ball possession and to score at least 1 goal, having more chances for the win.

Match 3: Germany – Sweden

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Serbia and Switzerland. The previous world champion team of J. Low (FIFA ranking: 1), lost its first game with 1-0 from Mexico, has been qualified undefeated from the European Preliminaries round, while the team of J. Andersson (FIFA ranking: 23), won its firts game (1-0 against South Korea) has been qualified from the European Preliminaries round, leaving out in the play offs, the 4 times world champion team of Italy.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Germany

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Ball Recoveries
Shots on Target	Fouls Won

Sweden

Strengths	Weaknesses
Shots off Target*	Yellow Cards
Saves	Possession

* Sweden in the preliminaries round had 10 total shots on average per game, while only the 4.1 were shots off target. Ιt had the best shots difference in the European preliminaries.

Team Statistical Profiles:

Germany

1. Two of main Germany’s advantages during the preliminaries round, were the well organized defensive line (average Goal – value: 0.4 goals per game) and the very powerful offensive line (4.3 average goals per game).
2. When, Germany controls ball possession (its average value is 69%) AND has at least 8-9 shots on target, usually scores more than 2 goals.
3. Germany’s average value in total shots (shots on target + shots off target) is 15.5 shots per game.

Sweden

1. In the European preliminaries, Sweden received in total 18 yellow cards, more than any other team. Its average yellow cards number was 1.5 cards per game. Thus, it is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card.
2. Sweden, usually does not have high rate percentages in ball possession, preferring a counter attacking style in its game. If the ball possession is less than 36% AND its shots on target are too few (0-3) AND its total shots are 4 or less, then it will not get a win.
3. Sweden, when it faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Germany, it loses the ball possession and it tries too few shots (usually less than 5), facing difficulties on getting a positive result.

Prediction of the Game:

The following graph illustrates the estimated probabilities regarding the result of this game:

The projected indicators for the game:
Germany is expected to win the ball possession and to try more shots than Sweden. Additionally, it is expected that Sweden will receive at least 1 yellow card and at least 1 goal.