2014 FIFAWorld Cup Quarterfinals will start tomorrow! After a 75% prediction accuracy for the
round of 16, I am looking to continue this streak for the quarterfinals.
The quarterfinals this time round can easily be the most interesting of World Cup history. With the likes of previous champions such as France and Germany clashing against each other, the results can pretty much go both ways. Who will emerge victorious into the semifinals?
The quarterfinals fixtures in Singapore timings are below
Jul 4th (Friday Night, Saturday Morning)
12am
France vs Germany
France was doubtful due to absence of Ribery due to injury, but they have since proven their critics wrong with their strong performance. In fact, France has displayed one of the strongest midfield force, especially with the dynamic showing of 21-year old Paul Bogba.
Germany has consistently delivered strong results but tripped in the match against Algeria, scrambling for a win only after extra time.
Key statistics analysis France vs Germany
|
|
France
|
Germany
|
|
World Cups won
|
1 (1998)
|
3 (1954, 1974, 1990)
|
|
Goals scored
|
8
|
9
|
|
Attempts per match
|
19.3
|
16.5
|
|
Shots on target
|
60%
|
70%
|
|
Passes completed
|
1807
|
2560
|
|
Passes completion %
|
80%
|
80%
|
|
Key man to watch
|
Powerful Midfield:
Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye and Valbuena
|
Strong attacking force:
Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Mario Goetze
|
Prediction:
France to go through. This team led by Didier Deschamps is strong, spirited and looks unstoppable.
4am
Brazil vs Colombia
Brazil, gosh, you worry when you see them play. Despite a star-studded team, sometimes you wonder if they are taking the game seriously.
Colombia on the other hand has shown to be powerful strike force, scoring even more goals than the 5-time World cup champions. The top goalscorer of the tournament so far, James Rodriguez, is frequently compared to Brazil's striker Neymar Jr. It will come to a decisive battle between the no.10s of both squads, and coincidentally, both at 22 years of age.
Statistics analysis of Brazil vs Colombia
|
Brazil
|
Colombia
|
World Cups won
|
5
| 0 |
Goals scored
|
8
|
11
|
Attempts per match
|
17.5
|
11.5
|
Shots on target
|
70%
|
70%
|
Passes completed
|
1551
| 1224
|
Passes completion %
|
70%
|
70%
|
Key man to watch
|
Star Striker: Neymar Jr
|
Star Striker: James Rodriguez
|
Prediction:
Brazil. They make you worry, but that's their style. At the end of the day, they conjure some magic to win, like how they did for the 5 previous world cups.
- If you can only choose between friday night and saturday night, I will recommend to catch these 2 matches on Friday match. If you can choose only one match, I will recommend to watch France vs Germany. Expect another helluva match. -
Jul 5th (Saturday night, Sunday morning)
12am
Argentina vs Belgium
Argentina has been lucky for the previous couple of matches, winning by a slight margin thanks to their superstar Messi.
Can Messi do a Maradona? You bet he can, in the last match against Switzerland, Messi basically cleared the way for Di Maria to score, having drawn 6 defenders to himself.
Belgium has been reckoned as the Dark horse for this world cup. Their current generation amass some of the best players the Red Devils have ever put together. Yet, the team is somewhat incomplete in my opinion. They might have ample chances against USA, but there is lack of synergy due to presence of "onlookers" in the team which do not make much impact.
Some of the key statistics analysis of Argentina vs Belgium
|
Argentina
|
Belgium
|
World Cups won
|
2 (1978, 1986)
| 0 |
Goals scored
| 6 | 6 |
Attempts per match
|
19.3
|
20.3
|
Shots on target
|
60%
|
70%
|
Passes completed
| 2112 | 1641
|
Passes completion %
|
80%
|
70%
|
Key man to watch
|
Magician: Messi
| Forward: Eden Hazard
|
Prediction:
Argentina. I am optimistic that they might
take the World Cup this time round.
4am
Netherlands vs Costa Rica
The Dutch has put up a strong opening thrashing Spain 5-1. After watching numerous tournaments, it struck me that Netherlands is a team that run out of steam at the end of the cup. They have had the best players, however Netherlands is the only top tier European team yet to have won the World Cup. (They are 3-time runner-ups though) True enough, they are showing signs of fatigue, just managing a last burst of goals in the final few minutes to secure a win against Mexico in their previous match.
Thankfully, their opponent is not the strongest out there. Costa Rica has shocked many with their victory over Uruguay and Italy, but has yet to have a proven track record especially after scrambling through the penalties against Greece. If it was luck that brought them this far, luck can only bring you that far.
Statistics analysis of Netherlands vs Costa Rica
|
Netherlands
|
Costa Rica
|
World Cups won
| 0 | 0 |
Goals scored
| 12 | 5 |
Attempts per match
|
13.8
|
8
|
Shots on target
|
70%
|
50%
|
Passes completed
| 1360 | 1284
|
Passes completion %
|
80%
|
70%
|
Key man to watch
|
Attacking trio:
Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder
| Goalkeeper Keylor Navas |
Prediction:
Netherlands will win, but they will have to work hard for it. On paper, Costa Rica looks rather weak, but such teams are the real threat.
- Definitely watching Netherlands vs Costa Rica. Secretly hoping for Costa Rica to go through-
What's your prediction?
EUFASS
World Cup Trivia is a series designed for the current World Cup 2014 to give fans more than one ways to savour the game.
