Match 1: Brazil – Costa Rica

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Brazil and Costa Rica. The team of the superstar Neymar, coached by Tite (FIFA ranking: 2) has been qualified as first from the South American Preliminaries round, while the team of O.Ramirez (FIFA ranking: 23) has been qualified from the Central American Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Brazil

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Aerial Duels Won
Shots on Target	Interception

Costa Rica

Strengths	Weaknesses
Interception	Yellow Cards
Saves	Possession

Team Statistical Profiles:

Brazil

1. Based on preliminary statistics, Brazil’s average total shots value was almost 14 shots per game. Additionally, Brazil is expected to score at least 1 to 2 goals AND to receive at least 1 yellow card (average yellow card rate was close to 1.5).
2. If Brazil, wins ball possession with a rate higher than 61%, then is expected to score more than 2 goals.
3. Brazil, had the best Goal – record in the South American preliminaries round by receiving only 11 goals in 18 games.

Costa Rica

1. Based on its preliminaries performance, Costa Rica scores on average 1.4 goals AND receives at least 2 yellow cards per game. When it faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Brazil, it usually receives at least 1 goal. Costa Rica is expected to have more saves than Brazil, due to its top class goalkeeper,  Keylor Navas.
2. During preliminaries, Costa Rica’s average ball possession rate was almost 47.3% (non ball possession style of football).

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 3-4 yellow cards during the game. Brazil is expected to win ball possession and to score at least 1-2 goals. Costa Rica’s goalkeeper, Navas will make much more saves than the opponent goalkeeper.

Match 2: Nigeria – Iceland

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Nigeria and Iceland. The team of G. Rohr (FIFA ranking: 48), has been qualified from the African Preliminaries round, while the team of H. Hallgrimsson (FIFA ranking: 22), qualified for the first time of its history to a World Cup from the European Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Nigeria

Strengths	Weaknesses
Goal +	Possession
Shots off Target	Yellow Cards

Iceland

Strengths	Weaknesses
Interception	Goal +
Aerial Duels Won	Possession

Team Statistical Profiles:

Nigeria

1. Based on preliminaries, Nigeria is expected to receive at least 1 goal.
2. If Nigeria receives 1 goal AND loses ball possession (less than its average rate – 45%), then it will face difficulties on getting a positive result.
3. Nigeria, is expected to receive at least 1 yellow card. Its preliminaries average value was 1.5 yellow cards per game.

Iceland

1. Although Iceland has low ball possession percentage (average rate is 44.9%), is expected to score at least 1 goal. In 8/10 preliminary games, Iceland scored at least 1 goal. In 2/10 preliminary games, that Iceland did not score, it lost the game.
2. If Iceland tries few shots on target (below its average value, 4.8) AND receives 3 or more yellow cards, then is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.
3. If Iceland, managed to try at least 7 shots on target, then is expected to score at least 1 or 2 goals. In 6/10 preliminary games, Iceland scored 2 or more goals.

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. Iceland will have more chances to score at least 1 goal and is more likely to get a positive result, either win or draw.

Match 3: Serbia – Switzerland

This report is focused on the analysis of the match between Serbia and Switzerland. The team of M. Krstajic (FIFA ranking: 34), qualified from the European Preliminaries round., while the team of V. Petkovic (FIFA ranking: 6), has also qualified from the European Preliminaries round.

Strengths vs Weaknesses

Serbia

Strengths	Weaknesses
Interception	Yellow Cards
Fouls Won	Shots on Target

Switzerland

Strengths	Weaknesses
Possession	Yellow Cards
Clean Sheets	Shots off Target

Team Statistical Profiles:

Serbia

1. Based on its preliminaries’ performance,  Serbia received almost 1.8 yellow cards per game. Moreover, Serbia scored at least1 to 2 goals AND received 1 goal per game (it had clean sheets only in 4/10 preliminary games).
2. When Serbia faces teams of a similar FIFA Ranking with Switzerland, it receives on average 2 yellow cards. If Serbia receives 2 yellow cards AND has less shots on target than its average rate (4.8), then is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.
3. Moreover, Serbia is predicted to have an average ball possession rate close to 52% (preliminaries’ average rate).

Switzerland

1. If Switzerland has ball possession rate close to 50% (while its average ball possession percentage is 61%) AND simultaneously has few shots on target (0-2 shots), then it is expected to face difficulties on getting a positive result.
2. Based on its preliminaries shots rate, per game (average shots off target is 7.75 and average shots on target is 6.3), Switzerland is expected to score at least 1 goal.
3. Switzerland, usually receives 1.5 yellow cards per game. Additionally, Switzerlands’ clean sheet percentage in the preliminaries round was almost 66%.

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. If Switzerland managed to win ball possession and try more shots on target than Serbia, then is expected to score at 1 goal and get a positive result.