EURO 2016 QUARTER FINALS

QUARTER FINALS 

As as I had predicted in a previous edition, the quarter finals are already giving shockers as the matches get played. So far Poland and Belgium have bid good bye to the competition allowing Wales and Portugal to qualify for the semi finals. The two had ranked higher than their opponents and had scored first! The fact that they were beaten, proves my daily saying, numbers don't lie but football happens! They were the favorites, scored first but eventually lost!

Today, the EURO 2016 is looking for a third semi finalist. It has to be between Germany and Italy. These two teams are the favorites according to many people and the winner might end up lifting the silverware. To me, this is a very complicated match! It will be tough for both teams. They recently met in a pre EURO friendly where the Germans got the best of the Italians by beating them 4 goals to 1. Despite that, the tactical master in Antonio Conte must have learnt a thing or two that might help him avenge the beating. Today is the D day and one must go, let's see who might win this match between the two giants.

Confirmed semi finalists so far

Wales
Portugal

GERMANY vs ITALY

This is a giant meet giant match. The sizes differ with Italy being the lesser but that does not limit the ability.

Germany has won 4/5 matches so far and drawn 1/5, collecting 13/15 points, scoring 8 goals and conceded non, even in the competition so far! They average 1.6 goals per match.
Italy on the other hand have won 4/5 and lost 1/5, collecting 12/15 points, scoring 7 goals and conceding 1 goal in the competition. They average 0.9 goals per match and can concede 0.2 goals per match.
A head to head review sees Italy winning 2/5 times, Germany 1/5 times and they have drawn 2/5 times. 4/5 times both teams scored against each other while 2/5 times there were goals OVER 2.5 goals.

Verdict is that tactically talking the Italians are strong, but talent-wisely the Germans are better. Defense-wisely, both teams are mean and in their previous five meetings the teams have scored 7 goals each. There is a likelihood that Germany will not score as many goals as they did against Italy in the friendly as the Italians have since improved.

Prediction is Italy win or draw, 2 or x
Prediction is BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE (YES)
Prediction is UNDER 2.5