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wc KO day 2 :: vlad makes the call


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TEAM NEWS

Spain are set to keep faith with goalkeeper David de Gea despite some criticism of his performances so far.

Marco Asensio could replace David Silva in attack, while Spain must decide whether to risk Sergio Busquets, who is a booking away from a suspension.

Russia's Igor Smolnikov is banned after his red card versus Uruguay, so Mario Fernandes is set to play at right-back.

Aleksandr Golovin, Fedor Smolov and Yuri Gazinsky are all one yellow card away from a one-game suspension.

OVERVIEW

Spain, who are unbeaten since losing to Italy at Euro 2016, have yet to hit the heady heights with which they are usually associated, but Russia may be a team against whom they can cut loose. They will certainly attempt to dominate the ball.

La Roja led the tournament for passes attempted (2,294) and completed (2,089) in the group stage, making nearly 300 more of each than any other nation. Spain have also had 41 shots from open play, 15 more than their opponents, and have created 42 goalscoring chances, 24 more than the Russians.

The home team, however, have worked like Trojans and have been clinical when opportunities have come knocking. Russia are ranked bottom at this tournament for chances created, with 18, but have still managed to score eight goals, while in terms of distance covered in the group stage (331km) they ranked third. Being roared on by an 80,000 capacity-crowd may add yet more miles to their legs.

VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS

Spain defender Dani Carvajal: "From now on the games are life or death, you can't play for a draw, you either win or you go home.

"I think these games are going to be different and we will recover our best form."

Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov: "Spain play football that is clear to us. It's difficult to find ways to deal with it but we'll try.

"We've played against (former Spain head coach) Julen Lopetegui's men and now we can see changes under Fernando Hierro. I won't go into detail but the team plays differently."

LAWRO'S PREDICTION

Russia have done very well to get this far, but I think Spain are a step up in class that will be too much for them.

Prediction: 2-0

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • Since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia have never beaten Spain (D2, L4).
  • However, in their most recent encounter Russia earned a 3-3 draw during a friendly in November.
  • Spain have scored 10 goals in their last three games against Russia - seven during two matches at Euro 2008, and three in November's friendly.
  • Russia have also lost to Spain three times in recent major tournaments, losing in the group stage (4-1) and semi-finals (3-0) at Euro 2008, and the group stage of Euro 2004 (1-0).

Spain

  • Since the start of the 2006 World Cup, Spain have had more than 50% possession in 32 of their 33 games at major tournaments. The only exception was in the Euro 2008 final against Germany when they had 46% of the ball.
  • This could be Andres Iniesta's 30th game at major tournaments. He would become just the third Spanish player to reach that tally after Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
  • Iniesta has not scored in a major tournament since netting the only goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands, failing with 32 shots since.
  • Isco has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 15 international matches for Spain, scoring 10 and assisting two.
  • Spain have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches in this competition, only drawing a blank against Chile in 2014.
  • La Roja have reached the World Cup quarter-finals on five previous occasions.

Russia

  • Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Russia have played in the knockout stage of a major tournament just once. They beat the Netherlands 3-1 (after extra time) in the quarter-finals of Euro 2008 before losing 3-0 to Spain in the semi-finals.
  • The last win by either Russia or the USSR in a World Cup knockout game was the 1966 quarter-final, a 2-1 victory over Hungary.
  • Russia are ranked top for winning aerial duels at this World Cup - their tally of 67 is 23 more than any other team during the group stage.
  • The host nation have scored eight goals at this World Cup - their most at this tournament since scoring 12 as the USSR in 1986. On that occasion they went out in the last 16, bowing out 4-3 to Belgium after extra time.

'Russia have a 2% chance of winning World Cup'

Football statisticians Gracenote Sports believe Spain have a 13% chance of winning the World Cup, while host Russia's prospects stand at 2%.

Simon Gleave, head of analysis at Gracenote Sports, said: "Spain have been second favourites to win the World Cup since before the draw was made in December. After drawing with Portugal in the opening match, Spain's chance of winning the competition dropped to its lowest figure.

"Since then, Spain's chances have only risen, most recently because almost all of the other major contenders are in the other half of the draw.

"Russia have performed exactly as expected so far, finishing second behind Uruguay in Group A to progress to the World Cup knockout phase.

"As Russia meet their expected second round opponent Spain there, the host nation's chance of winning has only moved up from 1% to 2%."

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TEAM NEWS

Croatia made nine changes for their last game and will recall most if not all of the players rested against Iceland.

Ivan Rakitic, Dejan Lovren and Mario Mandzukic will be amongst the names returning to the starting line-up.

Denmark's assistant coach Jon Dahl Tomasson says that William Kvist could feature in Sunday's game.

The midfielder punctured a lung and broke two ribs in Denmark's opening match against Peru on 16 June.

Winger Yussuf Poulsen is available after serving a one-game ban against France.

OVERVIEW

Neither of these teams has conceded from open play yet at this World Cup, with the solitary goal allowed by both sides coming from the penalty spot.

While the Danes rode their luck at times in Group C, particularly in the opening win against wasteful Peru, Croatia have been one of the most impressive teams in Russia.

They won all three games in Group D, including a comprehensive 3-0 win against Argentina and a 2-1 victory versus Iceland which was achieved despite making nine changes.

Like Croatia, Denmark are hoping to reach the quarter-finals for only the second time in their history.

Their defensive approach in the draw against France in their final group game divided opinion, but coach Age Hareide was unrepentant, pointing out that they couldn't rely on already eliminated Peru to get a result against Australia.

Hareide has, however, promised a more adventurous approach for this game. "It will be absolutely different against Croatia, we will attack," the Norwegian insists.

VIEW FROM BOTH CAMPS

Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic: "We know the team from 1998 was great, they were all our idols and they showed the way for each Croatian team afterwards.

"But we need to forget about that and write our own story at this tournament. God willing we can achieve the same result, or maybe even more."

Denmark midfielder Thomas Delaney: "We know that we don't seem like the most fearsome bunch to go up against.

"We're not going to lose 5-0 by trying to play tiki-taka football. But people shouldn't get used to seeing us play like we did against France.

"It's seldom that we play like this, and the game against Croatia will be a very different spectacle."

LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS

I have been very impressed by Croatia, I cannot really see a weak link in their midfield, either centrally or out wide, and they have an attacking outlook right through their team.

Denmark, in contrast, are very ordinary. I am sure they will create some chances, but most of their build-up play is under the 'hopeful' category, unless they can get Christian Eriksen on the ball.

Prediction: 2-0

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

  • The five previous encounters have produced two wins apiece and one draw.
  • The sides last met in a warm-up game prior to Euro 2004, with the Croats winning 2-1 in Copenhagen.
  • The only previous meeting at a major tournament was at Euro 1996, when Croatia won a group game 3-0. Davor Suker scored twice - the second a brilliant lob - with Zvonimir Boban also on target at Hillsborough.

Croatia

  • Croatia have won five of their six World Cup games against European opposition, with their only defeat coming against France in the semi-finals in 1998.
  • The Croats have won three successive World Cup games for the first time.
  • Six of their seven goals at this tournament have been scored in the second half.
  • Five of their last six shots on target have found the back of the net.
  • Including pre-tournament friendlies, Croatia have won five of their last six games, with their only defeat a 2-0 loss to Brazil at Anfield on 3 June.
  • If Luka Modric plays he will equal Darijo Srna as the Croat with most appearances at major tournaments (18 at the World Cup and European Championship).
  • In his 17 previous appearances Modric has scored four goals and delivered just one assist (against Turkey at Euro 2008).

Denmark

  • The Danes are on a national record unbeaten run of 18 games (W9, D9). Their last defeat was a 1-0 loss to Montenegro in October 2016.
  • Denmark could go four games unbeaten at a World Cup for the first time.
  • They have kept six clean sheets in their last seven games in all competitions.
  • Denmark have reached the knockout stage for the fourth time in five appearances at World Cup.
  • They have gone past the round of 16 just once before, beating Nigeria 4-1 in 1998 before losing 3-2 to Brazil in the quarter-finals.
  • Denmark have scored only two goals in their last three games. However, their four matches in the knockout stage of the World Cup have produced 19 goals (seven scored, 12 conceded), an average of 4.75 per game.
  • Christian Eriksen has registered four shot on target at this World Cup, but he is the only Dane to have had more than one effort on target at the tournament.
  • Eriksen ran further than any other player in the group stage, covering 36km in total.
  • Denmark's star man has scored 13 goals and delivered five assists in his last 16 games for Denmark.
  • Kasper Schmeichel saved 12 of the 13 shots on target he faced in the group stage, only conceding one goal (from a penalty).

'Croatia have a 6% chance of winning World Cup'

Football statisticians Gracenote Sports believe Croatia have a 6% chance of winning the World Cup, while Denmark's prospects stand at 3%.

Simon Gleave, head of analysis at Gracenote Sports, said: "Croatia were surprise winners of Group D ahead of pre-tournament group favourites Argentina.

"The 3-0 win against Argentina decided the group order and immediately produced an increase in Croatia's chance of winning the World Cup, from 3% to 6%.

"Denmark's crucial group fixture was the opener against Peru and having won it, the chance of the Danes winning the World Cup increased from 1% to 3%.

"This was due to their heightened chance of reaching the last 16. Knockout opponents Croatia and probably Spain mean that Denmark's chance of winning the World Cup remained low."

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2 minutes ago, Okie State said:

Has this lady ever said anything even remotely interesting or insightful?

its Aly Wagner,   and no, not really.    When Iran played Morocco she kept fucking telling the viewers how much Iran sucked because they wouldnt allow women to watch the game in the stadium.   

 

dont get me wrong I think thats fucking stupid, But this isnt a fucking #metoo movement time.  Its the world cup being held in Russia, and the US isnt even playing, so keep our fucking morality to ourselves, and call the fucking game without turning the fucking game political for no fucking reason

 

P.S.   she is terrible

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