Match 1: Uruguay  – Russia

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Uruguay (FIFA ranking: 14) and Russia (FIFA ranking: 70). The team of O. Tabarez qualified from the South American Preliminaries round and it has so far two wins in the World Cup (against Egypt and Saudi Arabia with the same score: 1-0), achieving to proceed to the next round. The team of St. Cherchesov that has been qualified for the World Cup 2018 as the host country has also two wins in the World Cup (against Saudi Arabia: 5-0 and Egypt: 3-1) and will also proceed to round 16.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Uruguay

Strengths	Weaknesses
Shots on Target	Yellow Cards
Interception	Goal –

Russia

Strengths	Weaknesses
Goal +	Shots on Target
Aerial Duels Won	Possession

Team Statistical Profiles:

Uruguay

1. When Uruguay faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Russia, it usually scores at least 1 goal. Additionally, if Uruguay is going to win the ball possession (percentage rate higher than 50%) AND if it managed to try more than 4 shots on target, usually it is more likely to get a positive result.
2. If Uruguay’s shots on target are less than its preliminaries average (5.05) AND simultaneously if it is going to receive at least 2 yellow cards (its average rate on yellow cards is 2.1 cards per game) AND if it is going to lose the ball possession, then it is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.
3. Uruguay, is expected to be really good on interceptions AND is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card during the game.

Russia

1. If Russia managed to win the ball possession with a percentage higher than 50%, then is expected to score at least 1 goal.
2. Russia, is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card during the game.
3. In general, Russia has twice shots off target than the shots on target and is expected to win the aerial duels.

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 2 yellow cards. Uruguay is predicted to have more shots on target than Russia, while Russia is expected to score at least 1 goal and finally have more chances for the win.

Match 2: Saudi Arabia – Egypt

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Saudi Arabia (FIFA ranking: 67) and Egypt (FIFA ranking: 45). The team of J. Antonio Pizzi , qualified from the Asian Preliminaries round and has so far two defeats in the World Cup. The team of  H. Cuper and Mohamed Salah  has been qualified from the African Preliminaries round and has also two defeats on the World Cup.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Saudi Arabia

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Shots on Target
Yellow Cards*	Goal –

Egypt

Strengths	Weaknesses
Goal –	Yellow Cards
Interception	Aerial Duels Won

* Saudi Arabia, doesn’t receive many yellow cards. This is the reason why the yellow cards are in Saudi Arabia’s strengths. More specifically, its has been measured that the average number of yellow cards in the preliminaries was below 0.7 (less than 0,7 yellow card per game). In almost 50% of the preliminaries games, Saudi Arabia didn’t receive any yellow or red card.

Team Statistical Profiles:

Saudi Arabia

1. When Saudi Arabia faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Egypt, it usually receives at least 2 goals.
2. If its ball possession rate is less than 50% AND its shots on target are less than 3, then the best result it can get is the draw.
3. If it has 7 or more total shots AND also its ball possession is above its average rate (56.2%), then it is likely to get a positive result.

Egypt

1. Based on its preliminaries stats, Egypt receives at least 1 goal from teams of similar FIFA Ranking with Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card during the game.
2. If Egypt’s shots on target are less than 4 AND also its total shots are less than 9-10 AND its ball possession percentage is less than 50%, then it will face difficulties on receiving a positive result.
3. If Egypt manages to score at least 2 goals AND managed to win the ball possession, with a rate higher than its average rate (53%) AND its total shots are more than 12, then it is expected to win the game.

Prediction of the Game:

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

The projected indicators for the game:
In the abovementioned game between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, it is expected that they will be scored at least 2 goals. Moreover, Egypt is expected to win the ball possession and the interceptions and in the end to have more chances for the win.

Match 3: Spain – Morocco

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Spain (FIFA ranking: 10) and Morocco (FIFA ranking: 41). The 2010 World Cup champion team of F. Hierro, qualified from the European Preliminaries round. So far, it has 4 points with one draw (3-3 against Portugal) and one win (1-0 against Iran). While the team of H. Renard  that qualified to the World Cup from the African Preliminaries round has two defeats with the same score (0-1) from Portugal and Iran.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Spain

Strengths	Weaknesses
Shots on Target	Ball Recoveries
Possession	Duels Won

Morocco

Strengths	Weaknesses
Shots on Target	Yellow Cards
Goal +	Possession

Team Statistical Profiles:

Spain

1. When Spain faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Morocco, if it is going to receive a goal AND simultaneously its total shots are less than 5, it will face difficulties on getting a positive result, although that is expected to score at least 1 goal.
2. If Spain managed to win the ball possession AND reach a rate close to its preliminaries average ball possession (66%) AND tries at least 10 total shots then it is expected to win the game.
3. Spain usually receives at least 1 yellow card.

Morocco

1. Morocco is predicted to receive at least 1 yellow card. During preliminaries, it had an average of 1.5 yellow cards per game.
2. Morocco, is expected to face difficulties on scoring a goal, when it faces teams like Spain (with high FIFA Ranking). But, if Morocco managed to win the ball possession with a percentage of 60% or more AND also managed to make more than its average shots on target (6.5) then it is expected to score at least 1 goal and to have many chances to get 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:
During the game the referee is expected to show at least 2-3 yellow cards. Spain is expected to win the ball possession and to try more shots on target and shots off target than Morocco. Finally, Spain is expected to score at least 1 goal.

Match 4: Iran – Portugal

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Iran (FIFA ranking: 37) and Portugal (FIFA ranking: 4). The team of C. Queiroz, qualified from the Asian Preliminaries round. It has so far three points on the group stage with one win (against Morocco: 1-0) and one defeat (from Spain: 0-1). While the European champion, of the superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, coached by F. Santos has been qualified from the European Preliminaries round and has so far 4 points, with one draw and one win.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Iran

Strengths	Weaknesses
Interception	Possession
Goal –	Yellow Cards

Portugal

Strengths	Weaknesses
Goals +	Shots off Target
Possession	Aerial Duels Won

Team Statistical Profiles:

Iran

1. Iran is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card. During preliminaries, it had an average of 1.2 yellow cards per game.
2. If Iran managed to have a ball possession rate close to (50%), (its average rate during the preliminaries) AND tries at least 3-4 shots on target (its average value is 3.2) then it is going to have many chances to get a positive result.

Portugal

1. Following its preliminaries’ efficiency, when Portugal faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Morocco is expected to try more shots than its opponent AND is expected to receive 1 yellow card.
2. If Portugal, is going to win the ball possession (in the preliminaries its average ball possession rate was 64.5%) AND also if it is going to try more than 8 shots on target, it is expected to score at least 2 goals and is more likely to win the game.
3. On the other hand, if Portugal, tries few shots on target (less than 4) AND simultaneously, if it is going to be banned with at least 1 yellow cards AND its ball possession is less than 50%, it will face difficulties to get 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:

The referee is expected to show at least 2 yellow cards during the game. Portugal is expected to win the ball possession and to try more shots on target and shots off target than Iran. Because of that, Portugal is expected to score at least 2 goals and be more likely to win the game.