Match 1: Denmark – Australia

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Denmark and Autralia. The team of A. Hareide (FIFA ranking: 12), qualified from the European Preliminaries round, while the team of B. van Marwijk (FIFA ranking: 36), qualified from the Asian Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Denmark

Strengths	Weaknesses
Interception	Goal –
Aerial Duels Won	Fouls Conceded

Australia

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Yellow Cards
Shots on Target	Goal –

Team Statistical Profiles:

Denmark

1. Denmark based on its preliminaries stats, scores οn average 2 goals per game and receives 1 yellow card. Denmark tries too many shots (preliminaries’ average total shots rate was around 12 shots per game) and has advantage on the aerial duels.
2. If Denmark’s shots on target are less than its average (6.1) AND its ball possession rate is less than its average (59%) AND simultaneously its total shots are less than 10, then is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.

Australia

1. Australia is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card during the game AND to receive 1 goal.
2. If its shots on target are less than its preliminaries’ average (4.5) AND the shots off target are less than 6 then the most likely result is going to be the draw.

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, Denmark is expected to score at least 1 goal, win ball possession and the aerial duels.

Match 2: France – Peru

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between France and Peru. The team of D. Deschamps (FIFA ranking: 7) has been qualified from the first group of the European Preliminaries round, while the team of R. Gareca (FIFA ranking: 11) has been qualified from the South American Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

France

Strengths	Weaknesses
Aerial Duels Won	Interception
Shots on Target	Saves

Peru

Strengths	Weaknesses
Saves	Yellow Cards
Intercception	Goal –

Team Statistical Profiles:

France

1. France is expected to win the aerial duels AND to receive at least 1 yellow card.
2. Based on the analysis, if France faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Peru AND wins the ball possession (close to its preliminaries’ average – 60%), then is expected to score at least 1 goal. On the other hand, if France’s shots on target are less than 7.3 AND simultaneously banned with at least 1 yellow card, then is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.

Peru

1. Peru used to receive many cards during its games. It is predicted that it will receive at least 2 yellow cards during the game. In the preliminaries, Peru had the highest average percentage in red (0.1 per game) and yellow cards (2.4 per game). Additionally, if Peru managed to win the ball possession and to try 3-4 shots on target, then is expected to score at least 1 goal.
2. If Peru loses the ball possession AND its total shots are less than its average (8), then is expected to receive at least 2 yellow cards and the best result that it can get is draw.

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 3 yellow cards. France is projected to win the ball possession, try many shots, win the aerial duels and is expected to score at least 1 goal.

Match 3: Argentina – Croatia

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Argentina and Croatia. The team of J. Sampaoli (FIFA ranking: 5) has been qualified from the South American Preliminaries round, while the team of Z. Dalic (FIFA ranking: 20) has been qualified from the European Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Argentina

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Yellow Cards
Duels Lost	Fouls Won

Croatia

Strengths	Weaknesses
Aerial Duels Won	Shots on Target
Interception	Yellow & Red Cards

Team Statistical Profiles:

Argentina

1. When, Argentina faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with  Croatia, it scores on average 1 goal AND gets at least 2 yellow cards per game. During preliminaries, Argentina managed keep its sheet clean in 50% of the games. Based on the analysis, if Argentina receives 1 goal, then there is high probability to receive a second one aw well.
2. Argentina, due to its ball possession football style, is expected to have at least 6-7 total shots in the game.

Croatia

1. Croatia is expected to have high percentages on ball recoveries and interceptions. Moreover, it is expected to score at least 1 goal in the game, as its preliminaries’ average Goal+ rate was close to 1.5 goal/game. Additionally, Croatia is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card.
2. If Croatia loses the ball possession (less than its average rate – 55%) AND gets at least 2 yellow cards AND has less than 3 shots on target, then is expected to face 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:
The referee is expected to show at least 3 yellow cards during the game. Based on the analysis, Argentina has more chances to win the ball possession and is expected to score at least 1 goal.