FOOTBALL – Now that the dust has settled on the week’s international matches in Europe, a glance at the Infostrada Sports’ National Team Ranking reveals a few major changes since the World Cup including Germany’s loss of the top spot to Argentina after losing at home to their World Cup final opponents and the Dutch national team dropping from third to ninth after two defeats. There is now just one European team, Germany, in the top five as Spain have dropped a place.
Tag Archives for Italy
ANALYSE THIS: Croatia Group H favourites ahead of Italy
FOOTBALL: Euro 2016 qualification begins this weekend and two of the top seeded teams in the draw, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Italy, are not the favourites to win their groups according to the Infostrada Sports’ National Team Ranking. Six of the nine groups have an overwhelming favourite to be group winner and only one of the groups looks truly competitive at this stage. We finish our analysis of the groups by looking at E to I. Our previous article analysing Groups A to D can be read here: http://infostradalive.com/2014/09/03/analyse-this-overwhelming-favourites-in-groups-a-to-d/
INFOGRAPHIC: Nibali hunts for trilogy
CYCLING – Vincenzo Nibali can become the sixth rider to win all Grand Tours as the Italian champion is the favourite for this year’s Tour victory. The last rider to win all three Grand Tours was Alberto Contador who completed his trilogy when he won the 2008 Vuelta. Click HERE to check out our infographic.
ANALYSE THIS: The ‘Copa de Zebra’ revisited
FOOTBALL – As we reported earlier this week, the 2014 World Cup has been termed the ‘Copa de Zebra’ in Brazil where zebra refers to results being unexpected. Although six of the 16 teams who have progressed to the second round could be termed surprising, there have actually been very few surprise results in Brazil and 14 of the 16 survivors had at least around 40% chance of reaching this stage. The only truly surprising teams in the second round are Algeria and Costa Rica.
ANALYSE THIS: Is World Cup 2014 really the ‘Copa de Zebra’?
FOOTBALL – In Brazil, this World Cup is being termed the ‘Copa de Zebra’ with zebra meaning unexpected results but the Infostrada Sports Forecast model shows that the number of genuine surprises in match results is actually fairly low with just six matches producing a result which had less than 30% chance of happening.
ANALYSE THIS: Wave – Italy v Uruguay
FOOTBALL – Italy produced very little after the half hour mark and the middle section of the match was very quiet. From the hour mark onwards, Uruguay created more attacking production, perhaps partially due to the red card for Marchisio. Italy didn’t really respond until it was too late.
FIVE FAST FACTS: Review – Italy v Uruguay 0-1
FOOTBALL – We look back at Uruguay’s 1-0 victory over Italy with Five Fast Facts on this match.
FIVE FAST FACTS: Preview – Italy v Uruguay (24 Jun 2014)
FOOTBALL – Our 2014 World Cup feature match for today is that decisive match in Group D between Italy and Uruguay from Natal. One former world champion will not survive and we have Five Fast Facts on this match lined up for you!
ANALYSE THIS: Brazil still favourites but Argentina closing in
FOOTBALL – After two match rounds, Brazil remain as World Cup favourites in the Infostrada Sports’ Forecast with 24.5% chance of lifting the trophy on July 13. This has barely changed since the start of the competition but continental rivals Argentina’s chances are improving and now stand at nearly 18%. Germany are third favourites on around a 14% chance of becoming World Champions. The current chances for each team are listed below.
ANALYSE THIS: Wave – Italy v Costa Rica
FOOTBALL – The Wave of this evening’s match between Italy and Costa Rica shows how the dynamic shifted towards the Costa Ricans in a big way just before they scored. The second half saw Italy on top but they were unable to convert this into a goal.
sportsdesklive.wordpress.com 