Match 1: Uruguay – France

This report is focused on the analysis of the first match of the quarterfinals, between Uruguay (FIFA ranking: 14) and France (FIFA ranking: 7). The team of O. Tabarez, managed to proceed to the round of 16 of the World Cup by collecting 9 points from Group A and keeping its clean sheet. On the round of 16, Uruguay won the game against Portugal (2-1) and proceed to the quarterfinals. The team of D. Deschamps won the first place of Group C with 7 points. On the round of 16, France beated Argentina with 4-3.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Uruguay

Strengths	Weaknesses
Saves	Aerial Duels Won
Interception	Shots on Target

France

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Yellow Cards
Shots on Target	Interception

Team Statistical Profiles:

Uruguay

1. When Uruguay faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking as France, it usually receives at least 1 yellow card AND when it tries less than 5 shots on target, it is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.
2. Based on the preliminaries stats and the so far stats from the World Cup, Uruguay is not used on winning the ball possession when it faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking as France. Thus, it is expected to have a ball possession rate close to its average world cup value (47%).
   
3. When Uruguay faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking position as France AND has in average at least 5 shots during the game, then it has many chances to score at least 1 goal. So far, in the World Cup, Urugay have scored 7 goals in 4 games, by scoring at least 1 goal in every game it has played so far in the World Cup.

France

1. France is expected to try too many shots during the game (its average rate during the preliminaries was almost 14 shots per game & the corresponding shooting rate during the World Cup is almost 10 shots per game). Moreover, it is expected to try at least 4 shots on target, by having many chances to score at least 1 goal.
2. France, is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card during the game. Based on its preliminaries and World Cup stats it receives in average 1 yellow card per game.
3. When France faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking position as Uruguay AND reaches ball possession rate close to 55% AND has in average at least 4 shots on target, then it is more likely 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:
Both of the teams will be banned with at least 1 yellow card and the referee is expected to show at least 3 yellow cards during the game. France is expected to win the ball possession and to try more shots on target than Uruguay. While Uruguay is going to win the interceptions and try at least 3 shots on target.

Match 2: Brazil – Belgium

This report is focused on the analysis of the match, between Brazil (FIFA ranking: 2) and Belgium(FIFA ranking: 3). The team of Tite won the first place of Group E by collecting 7 points. On the round of 16, Brazil, managed to won the game against Mexico by scoring 2 goals. On the other hand, Belgium proceed to the round of 16 as undefeated, by collected 9 points and winning the first place of Group G. On the round of 16, Belgium scored a last minute goal to Japan and finally won the game with 3-2 and proceed to the quarterfinals.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Brazil

Strengths	Weaknesses
Pass Success Rate	Aerial Duels Won
Shots on Target	Yellow Cards

Belgium

Strengths	Weaknesses
Goal +	Shots off Target
Possession	Interception

Team Statistical Profiles:

Brazil

1. One of Brazil’s main characteristics is the number of total shots per game. Its average value is almost 14 shots per game. During the preliminaries, Brazil scored on average 2.2 goals per game. While the corresponding stats, during the World Cup are; almost 8 shots on target and 9 shots off target per game. Brazil have scored so far 7 goals in 4 games. Thus, Brazil is expected to score at least 1 goal during the game.
2. When Brazil, faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking position as Belgium, it usually tries more shots than its opponent. It is expected to try at least 5 shots on target. Furthermore, Brazil has one of the highest passing success rate in the Mundial, with an average rate close to 89%.
   
3. Based on its preliminaries stats, Brazil is expected to receive at least 2 yellow cards AND to lose the aerial duels from Belgium.

Belgium

1. Belgium’s preliminaries stats for Goal+ and Goal- were really productive. On average, Belgium scored 4.3 goals and received 0.6 goals per game. In 10 preliminary games, Belgium achieved 9 wins and only 1 drawn, against Greece. While in the World Cup, Belgium has so far four wins, being together with Uruguay the only two teams of the World Cup that have 4 wins in 4 games.
2. Belgium have scored so far 12 goals, by having in average 9 shots on target per game AND it received only 4 goals. Based on its preliminaries stats, the corresponding shooting on target average value was almost 9 shots per game. Thus, Belgium is expected to try in average 7-8 shots on target AND it is predicted to score at least 1 goal.
3. On the other hand, Belgium usually receives 1.5 yellow cards per game, when it faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking as Brazil. In case that Belgium faces difficulties during the game it is expected to receive more than 1 yellow card. Moreover, Belgium is expected to receive at least 1 goal from Brazil, based on its World Cup stats.

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 during the game. Moreover, it is predicted that both teams will try at least 5 shots on target. Brazil is expected to have higher success pass rate, while Belgium is projected to win the ball possession in a very ambiguous game.