3) Spain vs Russia : In this game, at the Luzhniki Stadium, the possibilities are stacked heavily against hosts Russia. Spain are unbeaten in their last 23 games, the longest current run amongst all 32 teams in this World Cup. Since the break up of Soviet Union, Russia have never beaten Spain. On win probability meter, Spain has an overwhelming 63% chance, while Russia enjoy 13% chance. Spain's campaign began in chaos, as Coach Lopetegui was sacked, two days before their opening game & replaced by Fernando Hierro, who has successfully guided the La Rojas into knockout stage, but the performance has been far from convincing, especially with their goalkeeper David de Gea, leaking goals. Their expected line up may still be, de Gea in goal; with Carvajal, Pique, Capt Sergio Ramos & Jordi Alba in defence, while Busquets, David Silva, Isco & Thiago man the midfield, as Iniesta assists Diego Costa to look for goals - a fantastic list of names on paper. The reserve bench is also full of riches, with Nacho, Saul, Lucas Vazquez, Koke, Asensio, Aspas, all itching to get a go in the field. Coach Hierro has admitted concerns at lack of goals, & is also preparing for penalty shoot outs, lining up probable players for that - David Silva, Diego Costa, Isco, Busquets & Iniesta !!
Russia's campaign got off to a dream start with 5-0 victory over Saudi Arabia & then a 3-0 win against Egypt, before getting derailed in their last game 0-3 against a marauding Uruguay. The likes of Cheryshev with three goals already, Artem Dzyuba, Aleksandr Golovin have been quite impressive, but will they be able to breach a formidable Spanish defence is another question - they however would be keen to test de Gea with long rangers, considering, he has been butter fingers till now.
I expect Spain to prevail quite easily though, as they have a very strong midfield & forward line. However, they should not be complacent, & need to score, as their last line of defence is giving shivers, & if the Russians manage to take the game into penalty shoot outs, it will be the hosts who will have the edge.
4) Croatia vs Denmark : Both the teams meet at Nizhny Novgorod Stadium. They are clashing for the sixth time, & till now the records are pretty even with both sides registering two wins each & a draw. Croatia have reached the knockout stages only one before, at France in 1998, when they finished third behind France & Brazil. They have won all their three group stage matches in this edition, & are looking in ominous form under a spirited captain, Luca Modric. Denmark on the other hand, have held their ground against tough opponents like France & are considered to be tough opponents, who use their superior physique & speed to effect. The Win Probability Meter however, points at 50% chance for Croatia, while Denmark has 20% chances.
The expected line up for Croatia could be a 4-2-3-1 formation, as Subasic mans the goal, with Vrsaljko, Lovren, Vida, & Strinic covering the defence, while, Rakitic, Badelj, Rebic, Modric & Perisic stand for the midfield & Mandzukic runs for the goals upfront.
Denmark most probably will line up, dependent Schmeichel under the bars, while, Larsen, Christensen, Kjaer, Dalsgaard, would be the defence, while Schone, Delaney, Sisto, Eriksen & Poulsen would marshal the midfield, as Jorgensen would run up for goals.
Eriksen, Sisto & Jorgensen are expected to cause some trouble to the Croatian defence, but, I expect a stronger Croatia to finally cross this Scandinavian hurdle without much flutter. They have enough artillery & skills to prevail.
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