FIFA World cup 2018 Russia: Quarter Finals Preview – France vs Uruguay

Quarter Finals Preview – France vs Uruguay

Before going into the Match preview, let us look at the data from the Round of 16 matches that both teams played and won.

France vs Argentina

Round of 16	FRA	ARG
Goals Scored	4	3
Goals Scored in 1st Half	1	1
Goals Scored in 2nd Half	3	2
Goals Conceded in 1st Half	1	1
Goals Conceded in 2nd Half	2	3
Penalties Awarded for	1	0
Penalties Scored	1	0
Penalties Missed	0	0
Penalties Conceded against	0	1
Penalties Scored	0	1
Penalties Stopped	0	0
Penalty Shootout	NA	NA
Passes Completed	344	512
Shots on Target	4	4
Shots off Target	4	1
Yellow Cards	3	5
Red Cards	-	-
Possession	40%	60%

Uruguay vs Portugal

Round of 16	URU	POR
Goals Scored	2	1
Goals Scored in 1st Half	1	0
Goals Scored in 2nd Half	1	1
Goals Conceded in 1st Half	0	1
Goals Conceded in 2nd Half	1	1
Penalties Awarded for	0	0
Penalties Scored	0	0
Penalties Missed	0	0
Penalties Conceded against	0	0
Penalties Scored	0	0
Penalties Stopped	0	0
Penalty Shootout	NA	NA
Passes Completed	273	544
Shots on Target	3	5
Shots off Target	2	8
Yellow Cards	0	1
Red Cards	-	-
Possession	33%	67%

Based on the data available one can see both France and Uruguay have had an excellent defense so far and Uruguay in particular has conceded just one goal in 4 matches and that speaks a lot about their defense. Of course France had conceded just one goal in Group stages but with a formidable all round team they still went on to concede 3 goals in round of 16. With Cavani out of the team Uruguay will likely to play lone striker and since there is no worry of any player out on Injury or Suspension France would field the same team as in Round of 16.

Probable Line up:

France: 4-2-3-1

Lloris, Pavard – Varane – Umtiti – Hernandez, Pogba – Kante, mbappe – Griezmann- Tollisso, Giroud

Uruguay: 4-1-4-1

Muslera, Caceres – Gimenez - Godin – Laxalt, Torreira, Nandez – Rodriguez – Betancur – Vecino, Suarez

Risk of Suspension: Giroud (France), Pavard (France)

With regards to the attack and defense, French attack is far formidable than Uruguay as Mbappe, Griezmann speed and accuracy can sneak across any defense. At the same time Godin and Gimenez with laxalt has been formidable in eliminating threats and caceres has been good at counter attack and defence. Muslera who has been with Uruguay national team since 2008 is playing his 3^rd world cup has been one of the best goal keepers in the business and has been enjoying a perfect rapport with his defense. Both teams have been good with the ball and have decent passes of around 400 passes per game in an average and 4 shots on target per match which effectively means both teams to play natural passing with effecting counter attacks. Uruguay had scored 4 goals in First half and 3 goals in second half so far and has conceded just once that is in second half. On the other hand For France out of 7 scores 5 had come in Second half and they have conceded 3 out of 4 in second half. Uruguay seems to score early and sit back while France may effectively need to counter accordingly.

On the paper based on stats both teams look equal in strength and for me I would expect the game to end regular time with lead of one goal for Uruguay. Though France looks formidable and the absence of Cavani is advantage for France, the back line of Uruguay remains colossal and I don’t see France will be lucky to be awarded a penalty in this match. But in all cases Uruguay has conceded multiple free kicks and if France could capitalize form them game may go their way.  French Counter attack will depend purely on Hernadez and Mbappe pace and Giroud sneaking inside will be interesting to watch, At the same time Suarez, betancur, caceres are capable of creating confusion just inside the box to sneak and score.  

Prediction: 2-1 Uruguay win (Inside 90 minutes)

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VenkatS