Quarter-Finals Predictions > Jul 6th & 7th

[waynecoyne]

Uruguay are 15/4 with betfair sportsbook v france which looks big.

We know how they play -keep it tight and try to nick a goal. They have a mean defence and classy forwards so I feel

their chance is underestimated. France threw in a good performance in the last game but were a bit underwhelming prior to that.

 

[waynecoyne]

i didn't realise cavani was an injury doubt , so that has tempered my enthusiasm a little

[StevieDay1983]

The Quarter-Finals of the 2018 World Cup have now been finalised. Uruguay will play France at 3pm BST on Friday afternoon, Brazil take on Belgium in a 7pm BST kick-off, Sweden are up against England in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon, and then host nation Russia entertain Croatia in a 7pm BST match-up on Saturday evening.

Let us know your thoughts and planned bets as the tournament takes another step closer to providing us with a winner. Has your opinion changed on the outright winner as well? Is the Golden Boot there to lose for Harry Kane now?

[Middle East Leagues Expert]

As Fan since I was kid , all the way I support England , hard to win this world cup for sure but I pray we beat Sweden and make it to last four at least , so no bet for me because all my emotions and nervous on England here 

But

I had small bet On Russia 0.5 Only this Round

[StevieDay1983]

It's a tough one to call. I bet on France but felt Brazil were the team to beat. I still think that's the case. Both of them are navigating their way through the tournament effectively. It's a shame they can't meet in the final. You really can't rule anything out in this tournament. It's so unpredictable. Realistically, any one of the remaining eight sides could win it now. We've seen enough now to know no team is safe.

If I had to make a huge call right now I'd say Brazil to win it and Harry Kane to finish Golden Boot. Coutinho to win the Golden Ball. No idea who will win Golden Glove. Maybe Alisson. Hard one to call.

[mcsilks]

For all the exciting matces it has given, it has left us with 8 teams who with the exception of Russia, have all failed to impress.

Brazil have played well only in patches in their games and look distinctly average.

France have only come alive for the one game.

Uruguay have looked good only in their last outing.

Belgium have really stuttered.

Sweden have played their usual brand of dour, Stoke City football.

England have largely played like Sweden...winning without impressing.

and Croatia have played in patches well but were very poor in their last outing.

 

If France wake up, they will walk this tournament. They have played the best football of the lot in their last game and no side, even Brazil, will come close to them if they reproduce that.

I can't get excited over England. They just bore me to the point of wanting to watch their games on fast forward. I am desperate for England to win a World Cup, bit if this current side wins this tournament, it'll be a victory for anti-football.

 

My predictions for the last 8:

Uruguay to beat France in a dour 1-0.

Brazil to beat Belgium 2-0 as this Belgian defence is not the best.

England to beat Sweden on pens after a 0-0.

Croatia to overcome Russia in a nervy 1-0.

 

Due to it's unpredictability, I have actually bet on a Uruguay v Croatia final.

Good luck all!

 

Edited July 5, 2018 by mcsilks

[Dumyat]

Has VAR killed the 0-0 draw? There were 6 goalless games in the cagey KO stages of the last World Cup (including the Final). Now contentious moments in the box lead to a penalty awarded by the video ref. Still quite like the draw in the France and England games but I suppose the correct score will have to be 1-1 rather than 0-0.

[real55555]

34 minutes ago, Dumyat said:

Has VAR killed the 0-0 draw? There were 6 goalless games in the cagey KO stages of the last World Cup (including the Final). Now contentious moments in the box lead to a penalty awarded by the video ref. Still quite like the draw in the France and England games but I suppose the correct score will have to be 1-1 rather than 0-0.

With the introduction of VAR, I can see that referees in this WC tend not to make a decision on penalty unless he is very sure of it (although some were overruled after consulting VAR). So they leave the onus on the VAR team to inform him whether he needs to review the incident inside the box. In the past, referee only gives penalty if it is an 'obvious' foul, in the sense that shirt pulling or some minor wrestling during corner kicks or free kicks are negligible, but now if the player makes a scene out of it, and if the VAR team deemed it as an incident worth reviewing, the referee might not want to give a pk but with millions of people watching at the referee whether inside the stadium or through the tv screen, a foul is a foul and if he review it through VAR, then he has to give the penalty.

[real55555]

URUGUAY VS FRANCE

Uruguay - They haven't looked too impressive to me until their last game against Portugal. After 4 games, I can see that they have a strong attack with Cavani and Suarez, solid defense marshaled by Godin, but an average midfield and goalkeeper. Still the good thing about them is that they only need few chances to score with Suarez/Cavani. 

France - Looked very dull in the groups stages but came alive in the Round of 16 against Argentina. Scored a couple of goals but mainly due to poor defending from Argentina in my opinion. France has the best squad in this world cup in terms of individuals, but then I can see they are tend to go to sleep in certain periods during the game

Verdict: I'll say a narrow win for Uruguay for this quarter final tie.

 

BRAZIL VS BELGIUM

Brazil - Brazil has shown that they are able to carve out victories without playing that well. In actual fact they've not played too badly after four games at this world cup. 

Belgium - World class players but without a world class coach. They have good attacks but poor defense as shown in games against Tunisia and Japan, conceding easy/simple goals in my opinion. 

Verdict: I'll say a comfortable victory for Brazil in this match.

 

ENGLAND VS SWEDEN

England - Looked dull against Colombia. Would not have scored if not for the penalty, but defensively solid against the Colombians. 

Sweden - Looked solid defensively and dangerous on the attack against the Swiss. They have no star player other than Forsberg which I think is a plus for this team, which mean everyone is on level terms and battling for the team and not accommodating any star player. Their height will be an advantage both defending and attacking set pieces. 

Verdict: Sweden to go through to the next round

 

CROATIA VS RUSSIA

Croatia - World class midfielders in Modric and Rakitic in the middle flanked by Perisic on the wing. Looked uninspiring at times but if the midfield is able to click, they can beat anyone in this world cup. 

Russia - Probably the most average squad Russia has ever had at a world cup but they have defied expectations by reaching the last 8. Home support maybe? But I cant see them winning this game against Croatia. I believe they will park the bus again like they did against Spain and hope to get to penalty shooutout to have a chance against the Croatians.

Verdict: Croatia to win 

 

[waynecoyne]

uruguay france

i will try a couple of goal minute buys on gimenez (scored 1 already) and godin both 3 with spreadex

both centre halves therefore limited to set plays

[aluks22]

''Cavani missed training for the third consecutive day on Wednesday while receiving intense treatment on his left leg''.
Could be some mind games reading about his situation, but missing from the trainings is definitely not a good sign.

[keberteet]

Russia will surprise us all

[StevieDay1983]

2 hours ago, keberteet said:

Russia will surprise us all

It would be naive to rule anything out now to be honest. The way they are battling their way through the tournament has so many similarities with Greece at the 2004 European Championship. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they went all the way. It's madness!

[Danshot]

France to beat Uruguay @ 21/20 ( Betfred) 

Mbappe to score first @ 5/1 or anytime @2/1  (Bet365)

Brazil draw with Belguim @12/5 (Bet365)

HT/FT - Belgium/Draw @16/1 (Skybet)  

Lukaku MoM @10/1 (Bet365)

England to beat Sweden @ 19/20 (Bet365)

Harry Kane to score first @ 11/4 (Bet365)

Croatia to beat Russia @ 6/5 (Coral) 

HT/FT - Croatia/Croatia @ 14/5 (Coral)

Croatia -1 to beat Russa @ 18/5 (Coral) 

 

Edited July 5, 2018 by Danshot
Kane correction

[StevieDay1983]

4 minutes ago, Danshot said:

France to beat Uruguay @ 21/20 ( Betfred) 

Mbappe to score first @ 5/1 or anytime @2/1  (Bet365)

Brazil draw with Belguim @12/5 (Bet365)

HT/FT - Belgium/Draw @16/1 (Skybet)  

Lukaku MoM @10/1 (Bet365)

England to beat Sweden @ 19/20 (Bet365)

Harry Kane to score @ 11/4 (Bet365)

Croatia to beat Russia @ 6/5 (Coral) 

HT/FT - Croatia/Croatia @ 14/5 (Coral)

Croatia -1 to beat Russa @ 18/5 (Coral) 

 

Some decent shouts there, Dan. I especially like those first 2-3 tips. Not too sure about those bets from the Brazil versus Belgium game. I'd be silly to totally dismiss them though the way this tournament has gone. I really think this is the most exciting Quarter-Final schedule in World Cup history. The potential here is incredible.

[Danshot]

My favourite bet of the round is the 6/5 on Croatia to win inside 90 mins , I know Russia hung on but I don't see them repeating that and I don't see an area where they are better than the Croatians.

 

[harry_rag]

7 hours ago, waynecoyne said:

uruguay france

i will try a couple of goal minute buys on gimenez (scored 1 already) and godin both 3 with spreadex

both centre halves therefore limited to set plays

The bookies must really respect your money as they're both up to 4 to buy now! 

Alternative approach (less volatile in terms of when the goals come) is to buy SPIN's Uruguay "coldshots" which is your 2 players plus Caceres, 25 points per goal and 4 to buy. I've had an interest in that as all 3 have a reasonable enough strike rate recently, given their defensive roles. Good luck.

[Icongene]

Uruguay (if Cavani/Suazez are fit) are way too big to not have a look at. France played well v Argentina but let's just remember how utterly abject this Argentina side is. 

I also think Sweden have a decent shot v England. They are a tough team to break down and extremely dynamic on the break in transition. They can also match England at set plays which appears to be there only real tactic. I still don't rate the English CM pairing either.

 

[Magic0024]

Football Facts and Streaks regarding FIFA World Cup

Belgium have won their last 9 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Uruguay have won their last 5 matches in FIFA World Cup.
France have won 83% of their last 6 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Brazil have kept a clean sheet in 83% of their last 6 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Uruguay are undefeated in their last 8 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Brazil have won with at least a 2 goal margin in their last 3 matches in FIFA World Cup.
Brazil have scored at least 2 goals in 84% of their last 19 matches in FIFA World Cup.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in 88% of Brazil's last 8 games in FIFA World Cup.
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 88% of Belgium's last 8 games in FIFA World Cup.

You can find interesting 77 Football Betting Streaks for 06.07.2018 on this link ... http://eurofootballrumours.com/football-facts-and-streaks-06-07-2018-10245

[Marcelo P.]

Maybe it´s the 7-1 memories that turns me a little pessimist (I´m brazilian), but let me point something:

Since 2002 Brazil haven't beaten a first class team in the World Cup. 

2006: Croatia, Australia, Japan, Ghana and then lost to France
2010: Korea, Ivory Coast, a draw with Portugal, Chile, and then lost to Netherlands.
2014: Croatia, Cameroon, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and then two losses to Germany and Netherlands.

Ok, it's a good squad, it's BRAZIL, but I can't help seeing the same story again (Of course there's another point whether Belgium is a first class team or not). Anyway, I think Brazil is overpriced because it haven't been really tested yet. 

[Sir Puntalot]

16 minutes ago, Marcelo P. said:

Maybe it´s the 7-1 memories that turns me a little pessimist (I´m brazilian), but let me point something:

Since 2002 Brazil haven't beaten a first class team in the World Cup. 

2006: Croatia, Australia, Japan, Ghana and then lost to France
2010: Korea, Ivory Coast, a draw with Portugal, Chile, and then lost to Netherlands.
2014: Croatia, Cameroon, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and then two losses to Germany and Netherlands.

Ok, it's a good squad, it's BRAZIL, but I can't help seeing the same story again (Of course there's another point whether Belgium is a first class team or not). Anyway, I think Brazil is overpriced because it haven't been really tested yet. 

 to PL @Marcelo P.  

Great to heat a Brazilian national’s thoughts, but I think Brazil are worthy favs to win the whole thing. It’s all about heart from here on in...

[markus808]

Brazil vs Belgium  Belgium has only scored once in the first half while Brazil has scored two of their seven goals in the first half. Expecting the same dynamics, but even more pronounced. So my bet is Both Teams to Score in Second Half @3.4 with Betfair

[betcatalog]

Major match, Brazil can be imposed on any team, but all this is proven on the court. Belgium has a lot of quality, but defensively it has gaps and Brazil can qualify and both teams can score
BRAZIL vs BELGIUM @@ Both team to score, odd 1.75

loss of Kavani is important and can change the balance. The Uruguayan defensive line is compact and can keep away from their home, the French. I expect a patience game, closed with few goals and phases
URUGUAY vs FRANCE @@ +2.50 Under, odds 1.47

[Xcout]

Uruguay vs France
2018, July 6, 16:00 hrs (CET Time)
World Cup

Uruguay has made a great World Cup, getting to this stage is not an easy feat. The team has been focused on defending as the starting point, not a single goal allowed in the group stage, of a very fierce team that has in Edson Cavani their best weapon. Against Portugal he deliver both goals to beat Portugal, and together with Luis Suarez are the top scoring players of the team.

For this match, Cavani might not be with the team as he is recovering from an injury, Uruguay will wait to the last-minute to determine whether he will play or not. In case he do not play, the team has a great alternative with Cristhian Stuani, who scored 21 goals in 33 matches for Girona in Spanish La Liga. As well as other players with potential to score as Jonathan Urretaviscaya or Carlos Sanchez. 

With a midfield that should get more recognition Uruguay is going to continue showing the Charrua claw, which is keen on defending, destroying and counterattacking. It will be left to France to decipher this.

Now France also showed good defending in their group, allowing only one goal from Australia. With the match against Peru winning by one to nil, I will not take into consideration the match of against Denmark as it was a rather dull game with an almost entente of drawing. 

Against Argentina the team showed great attack and great scoring, specially a double by Mbappe, to drop Argentina from the World Cup, in a high scoring match, 4-3 goals. Where the quality of Argentina was enough to show the defensive weakness that the group stages conceal. For this match Kante and Pogba will be key, as if they can give good scoring chances for Griezmann and Demebele, they should make things hard for Uruguay. France will have the absence of Matuidi because of being suspended, Tolisso will take his place.

Prediction
For this intense encounter, I found the value on the Both Teams to Score. It is considered that France will lead the way, and Uruguay will have a hard time to score, but for me it will be more of a level match, Uruguay will have the advantage of counterattacking, which increase their scoring chances, and I see also that France might find a way to score against a very close tight defense. Therefore I at least expect a goal from each side, and with a very interesting odd for this.

Both Teams to Score Yes with 6 units @ 2.32 at Coolbet

[StevieDay1983]

10 hours ago, Marcelo P. said:

Maybe it´s the 7-1 memories that turns me a little pessimist (I´m brazilian), but let me point something:

Since 2002 Brazil haven't beaten a first class team in the World Cup. 

2006: Croatia, Australia, Japan, Ghana and then lost to France
2010: Korea, Ivory Coast, a draw with Portugal, Chile, and then lost to Netherlands.
2014: Croatia, Cameroon, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and then two losses to Germany and Netherlands.

Ok, it's a good squad, it's BRAZIL, but I can't help seeing the same story again (Of course there's another point whether Belgium is a first class team or not). Anyway, I think Brazil is overpriced because it haven't been really tested yet. 

I understand the pessimism. You're a football fan. It's only natural. I think bad omens are there to be broken. I've never feared bad records or so-called curses in football. It's all mental. England hadn't won a penalty shoot-out at a World Cup ever before their win over Colombia. Forget the past. This is now. I honestly think the winner of you and France in a semi-final will be the winners overall. Big early call but that's how I see it. I feel this France side is just 4 years too early. Reminds me of Germany in 2010. Full of quality but just lacking the tournament experience needed to go all the way. This Brazil team has the hurt of four years ago and there's a feeling of redemption similar to 2002 after 1998.

[malabgd]

WORLD CUP RUSSIA 2018 – INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS

Uruguay v France

Uruguay: Edinson Cavani (105/45 f, 2nd top scorer, doubtful)

Out of squad: Gastón Ramírez (43/0 d), Nicolás Lodeiro (53/4 m), Álvaro González (73/3 m), Mathías Corujo (22/1 m), Abel Hernández (29/11 f), Diego Rolán (25/4 f)

France: Djibril Sidibé (18/1 d, doubtful), Blaise Matuidi (70/9 m, suspended)

Out of squad: Mamadou Sakho (28/2 d), Mathieu Debuchy (27/2 d), Lucas Digne (21/0 d), Laurent Koscielny (51/1 d), Adrien Rabiot (6/0 m), Anthony Martial (18/1 f), Christophe Jallet (16/1 d), Layvin Kurzawa (11/1 d), Moussa Sissoko (53/2 m), Kingsley Coman (15/1 m), Alexandre Lacazette (16/3 f), Dimitri Payet (37/8 f)

 

Brazil v Belgium

Brazil: Paulinho (54/13 m), Marcelo (57/6 d), Danilo (19/0 d)(all doubtful), Casemiro (28/0 m, suspended)

Out of squad: Dani Alves (107/7 d), Diego (34/4 m)

Belgium: no missings

Out of squad: Laurent Ciman (20/1 d), Christian Benteke (34/12 f), Divock Origi (24/3 f), Radja Nainggolan (30/6 m, retired), Kevin Mirallas (59/10 f), Steven Defour (50/2 m, retired)

 

https://injuriesandsuspensions.com/

Improve your betting skills. Check daily updated injuries and suspensions information from more then 100 football, basketball and hockey leagues worldwide.

[StevieDay1983]

Uruguay vs France

The 2018 World Cup Quarter-Finals get started today with a 3pm BST kick-off between Uruguay and France at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod. The big news is that Uruguay's influential striker Edinson Cavani is likely to miss the match with a calf injury picked up in their win over Portugal in the previous round.

Oscar Tabarez constantly seems to have his team in contention at the major tournaments. Unfortunately, it feels like this injury to Cavani is a destructive blow that will almost certainly end their tournament. Tabarez has expertly built his side around the front two of Cavani and Luis Suarez and then the back two of Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez. Taking even one of those cogs out of the wheel will break the machine.

I said above that this is a France team full of talent but it feels this tournament might just be 2-4 years too early for this crop. That being said, so long as they have Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann firing on all cylinders then it will be very hard to stop them. Their display against Argentina in the last 16 showed they are a side that are getting better and better as the tournament progresses. The true sign of potential champions. Sadly, they still have the handicap of Didier Deschamps as head coach.

This game is now France's to lose with Cavani's involvement in doubt. The Uruguayan defence will provide a sterner test for the French front-line than Argentina so don't expect another seven goal thriller. I also think Suarez will hit peak Suarez to compensate for Cavani's absence. More running, more shooting, more play-acting, more handballing, and more biting. He will do anything to keep his nation in this tournament so be ready for something controversial at some point!

My tips would be to back a France win. I think they should do it over 90 minutes. It might even be just the odd goal. I think Uruguay will look to play on the counter against this French side that knows their best tactic is to utilise their pace up top. If France have an off-day then Uruguay could still shock them. I just feel this game has a feeling of inevitability about it and it's not France's time to go home quite yet.

France to win @ 2.06 with Unibet

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.52 with Marathonbet

[markus808]

The South Americans are on a run of seven straight wins in all competitions, conceding just a single goal. The other interesting fact is that in all competitions, four of the last five clashes between the two sides have ended in 0-0

1-1 being new 0-0, I have gone with CS 1-1 @7.4 with Betfair (exchange) 

[StevieDay1983]

Brazil vs Belgium

Arguably, the most exciting tie of the Quarter-Finals is the 7pm BST kick-off between Brazil and Belgium being played at the Kazan Arena in Kazan. It could be said that neither of these two talented sides have shown their full potential yet but that does not mean we're not all expecting a classic.

Brazil are keen to avenge the 2014 World Cup humiliation. The performances have been far from stunning so far by Tite's side but they are doing what needs to be done. Topping Group E and then disposing of Mexico in the last 16 is par for the course. The only problem is that Brazil are yet to encounter serious rivals for the trophy. That time has now come.

Roberto Martinez and his players are another side that have so far not really been tested. Their group stage told us little about where their progress is right now. Standard wins over Panama and Tunisia showed they can pick apart the weaker sides but then the 1-0 win over England was between two fringe sides. It was also almost a disaster against Japan after going 2-0 down before coming back to win 3-2 with a last minute winner by Nacer Chadli.

This game has huge potential. Both teams possess a superb array of attacking talent. Brazil have the likes of Neymar, Coutinho, and Willian. Belgium have the quality of Lukaku, Hazard, and De Bruyne. On paper, you can't separate them. I just think Brazil have the better manager. That being said, how many times have us UK-based football fans seen a Martinez side upset the odds? That's my concern. Martinez loves a giant-killing.

I'm not sure I can call this over 90 minutes. I think Brazil will progress somehow but it's so tight. The two nations possess the same strengths and weaknesses but I think Tite just about sneaks ahead of Martinez in the tactical nous stakes. On that basis, I think Brazil will just about squeeze through but they might have a scare. It's a shame these two are meeting so early. It would make a cracking Semi-Final or Final.

BTTS @ 1.85 with Coral

Match To Go To Extra-Time @ 3.40 with Sportingbet

[Bayern]

Uruguay vs France

Uruguay, alongside with Croatia and Belgium, are one of the 3 teams who have won all of their 3 group games, and they have shown their great quality in the Last 16 tie, with a 2-1 win over Portugal thanks to Edinson Cavani's brace. The attacking duo Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani have mutual understandings and good build-up plays at the front. But whether Cavani can feature in this match is still a doubt.

As for France, they have beaten Argentina in the Last 16 tie, which is reasonable as they have more balanced quality in 3 lines. Kylian Mbappe has exhibited his talents by creating 3 goals. Besides, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Griezmann also have played an important role. This French outfit are of great competitiveness, with a variety of attacking approaches.

In conclusion, France are expected to win this game within 90 minutes.