On Tuesday and Wednesday, Round 5: Road to the Finals of the Big Match Predictor continues with the World Cup semi-finals. You can find info on key stats and team form below to help you make your predictions!
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Semi-final: Argentina vs Croatia (13/12, 9pm SAST)
Argentina:
- Argentina have lost just once in 38 matches and sit third in the FIFA rankings. Their form in this tournament reads: LWWWD.
- La Albiceleste beat the Netherlands on penalties in their last match after a 2-2 draw in regulation time. They only allowed six shots in 120 minutes yet conceded two goals.
- Lionel Messi again excelled for his team with a goal and an assist. Of his side's 14 shots, he had six himself and created three others.
- Argentina have made it past the quarter-finals for just the second time in the past eight World Cups. They last lifted the trophy in 1986, having lost in the final in both 1990 and 2014.
Croatia:
- Hrvatska have made their third semi-final in six tournaments since independence. The 12th-ranked side in the FIFA rankings have had the following results in the tournament: DWDDD.
- Croatia drew 1-1 with Brazil in the quarter final before winning on penalties. They were outshot 21-9 in the match and allowed Brazil four "big chances" in a somewhat fortunate result.
- Croatia's midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Mateo Kovacic and Luka Modric attempted an incredible 299 passes between them in the Brazil match. 89% of those (269 passes) successfully reached a teammate.
- Five of Croatia's last six World Cup knockout matches have gone to penalties (they won all of them). Their only defeat in 12 matches at the World Cup came in the 2018 final to France.
Predicted Result: DRAW. Croatia's passing ability could frustrate Argentina and mean that extra-time is required.
Recommended Score-line Options: 1-1 or 2-2.
Semi-final: France vs Morocco (14/12, 9pm SAST)
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France:
- World champions Les Bleus beat England 2-1 to reach the semi-finals. The world's number-four ranked team have had the following results at the tournament: WWLWW.
- France's win over England saw them have just eight shots in the match and 1.01 expected goals. They allowed 16 shots to their opponents, as well as 2.41 xG (1.58xG from two penalties).
- Star player Kylian Mbappe had his quietest match of the tournament against England with just one shot and one chance created. He completed two of his four dribble attempts.
- Didier Deschamps' team have now won 10 of their last 12 matches at World Cups. They hope to be the first side to retain the trophy in 60 years.
Morocco:
- Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui has taken an African side to their first ever semi-final. The world's 22nd-ranked side have seen these results at Qatar 2022: DWWDW.
- Morocco have conceded just one goal in five matches at the World Cup, an own goal against Canada. Despite just 27% possession against Portugal, they limited their opponents to 12 shots and 0.92 expected goals.
- Morocco made 41 clearances in 120 minutes against Spain in the round of 16. They made 35 clearances in 90 minutes against Portugal and just 49 passes in the opposition half.
- The African side's last 44 matches going back to October 2019 have seen them lose just twice. Key Morocco players Romain Saiss and Sofiane Boufal were both born in France.
Predicted Result: France WIN. Morocco are very hard to break down but they haven't faced a player like Mbappe yet.
Recommended Score-line Options: 1-0 or 2-0.
