2022 World Cup Quarter Finals Predictions & Stats

The 2022 Qatar World Cup is really getting into the business end now with just eight teams remaining and to try and make sense of it all here are our 2022 World Cup Quarter Finals Predictions & Stats.

Looking at the remaining eight teams, one could argue there are at least six genuine chances to lift the trophy, and arguments could be made for the other two teams as well.

Some fans in Brazil were bemoaning their teams lack of Brazil spirit, and they did suffer that loss to Cameroon in the final group stage game, but then they come out with their all-singing, all-dancing and four-scoring first half in the Round of 16 game. Their opponent Croatia continue to sneak under the radar, and have the experience of making the final in 2018.

Netherlands have almost been the most underrated team this tournament, but they stepped it up a notch against the USA, and have 2022 star Cody Gakpo on fire. Argentina have Lionel Messi, who ultimately between him and the Australian keeper were the difference in the Round of 16. How can you discount a side with Messi?

Talking of Messi, over to the other GOAT side now in Portugal, who unlike Argentina don’t really need their superstar anymore. Not when his replacement scores a hat trick in his first start for the country. Among the other superstars saturating their side. Portugal’s was possibly the performance of the Round of 16 in a very good field of teams. Even least fancied Morocco could have claims. They have conceded just one goal and have three clean sheets in four games, and the ability to frustrate Spain.

Finally both England and France can win their quarter final clash, and both have strong claims. England have been solid defensively and can score goals like never before. France have no problems scoring with the tournament’s hottest player Kylian Mbappe on fire, but they have yet to keep a clean sheet.

But then there’s some quirky stats like only Croatia and Portugal are undefeated at the quarter final stage at World Cups. Sure it’s only two games but it is 2/2.

Or that four of the eight teams have avoided defeat so far – England, Netherlands, Morocco and Croatia.

Argentina v Netherlands sees a match up of the teams that have allowed the fewest and most shots against them of the quarter finalists.

And Brazil have a stat going against them heading into their quarter final with Croatia.

So there’s our quick thoughts on why every team can win. Our 2022 World Cup Quarter Finals Predictions & Stats has every game covered with some key stats, and our thoughts ahead of each game. And stay tuned to the website for the full match report after each game.

2022 World Cup Quarter Finals Predictions

CROATIA v BRAZIL

KICKOFF – FRIDAY 9TH DEC – 18:00 (QATAR) 15:00 (UK) 02:00 (AEDT)

• Brazil have taken the most shots and shots on target for this World Cup of the teams in the quarter finals, however they drop to fifth for Shot on Target % and seventh for goal conversion from shots on target.
• Brazil are first for excellent dancing as % of goals scored.
• Brazil have lost two of their last three quarter finals at the World Cup. Prior to that it was two losses in 11 appearances.
• Brazil have lost their last four knockout games at the World Cup to European sides.
• Croatia have lost their only World Cup match v Brazil.
• Croatia have a W1 L3 record v South American nations at the World Cup.

PREDICTION

Croatia 0 Brazil 3

We think this is the game to far for Croatia, especially if Brazil have found their inner Brazil as seen in the last game. Although, if Croatia secure an early goal we can envisage a pram toy throw from Neymar and co.

Winner plays next – Netherlands or Argentina

NETHERLANDS v ARGENTINA

KICKOFF – FRIDAY 9TH DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)

• Netherlands have a decent record v South American opposition at World Cups with just two losses in 13 games. Their record is W8 D3 L2. The two losses came against Brazil in 1994 and Argentina in 1978. Both teams went on to win the World Cup.
• Netherlands have only had more shots than the opposition in a match this World Cup on one occasion and that was v Qatar.
• Netherlands have also let the most shots against them of the quarter finalists with 52. For reference Argentina have allowed just 16 attempts. See table below. But that’s three times more shots for Netherlands opposition than Argentina.

• Argentina have made seven quarter finals over the years and their record is quite patchy with W2 D2 L3. All games have been v European opposition. Their only two wins coming on Central/South American soil in Mexico (86) and Brazil (14). Although they would have in 1978 if it weren’t for another format.
• Both Argentina and Netherlands have scored at least one goal in every game this tournament. Only Portugal have matched this feat.

PREDICTION

Netherlands 2 Argentina 1 

Argentina were one of the least convincing in the Round of 16, and add to that their opening World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia and we have much doubt to whether they can get past Netherlands. Messi is the key, but the Netherlands do have the defensive capability to stop Messi, and therefore stop Argentina. Netherlands then have Depay or Gakpo up front and Dumfries on the side to score the necessary goals.

Winner play next – Brazil or Croatia

MOROCCO v PORTUGAL

KICKOFF – SATURDAY 10TH DEC – 18:00 (QATAR) 15:00 (UK) 02:00 (AEDT)

• Will Ronaldo remain benched for Gonçalo Ramos again. You could argue that perhaps Morocco will have the measure of Gonçalo Ramos with their tactics but Ronaldo be too much for them to handle?
• Ronaldo’s ten shots on goal makes him the third highest shot taker at this World Cup (behind Messi 19 and Mbappe 21) but his replacement in the last game Gonçalo Ramos has five shots on target to Ronaldo’s two.
• Morocco have conceded just one goal in their last eight internationals. 
• With Morocco drawing at 120 minutes v Spain, they are technically still without a win in the knockout stages in regular/extra time.
• Morocco have only won two of 12 games at the World Cup against European nations, but one of those two wins was against Portugal. But they have also loss a game v Portugal at the World Cup.
• Morocco have scored the fewest and conceded the least goals in this World Cup so far of the teams n the quarter finals.
• Portugal have progressed through both of their previous World Cup quarter finals appearances.
• Portugal’s record v African teams at the World Cup is W3 D1 L1 with the only loss coming against Morocco in 1986. Morocco’s record v European teams at the World Cup is W3 D6 L5.

PREDICTION

Morocco 1 Portugal 2 (AET)

As sensational as Portugal were against Switzerland, Morocco is a different test all together. We can see a real arm wrestle going all the way to 120 minutes, with the quality of Portugal shining through when needed in extra time.

Winner plays next – England or France

ENGLAND v FRANCE

KICKOFF – SATURDAY 10TH DEC – 22:00 (QATAR) 19:00 (UK) 06:00 (AEDT)

• England have three clean sheets, which is best for the 2022 World Cup so far, and France have yet to register a clean sheet in four games. Morocco are the other team with three clean sheet, but must be said that England offer a little bit more than Morocco in attack.
• Kylian Mbappe is currently leading the golden boot for most goals with five. His goals are coming at one every 59 minutes, while Marcus Rashford’s three have come at 44 minutes per goal. Both not as good as Portugal’s Gonçalo Ramos of course.
• France have the upper hand over England this millennium with a W4 D2 L1 H2H record.
• But England have the World Cup H2H record covered with two wins from two games.
• England have quietly gone about scoring the most goals of the teams in the quarter final teams along with Portugal. But unlike Portugal, England have conceded just two goals compared with Portugal’s five, which is the most of any team left in the quarter finals.
• England also top the quarter finals teams for Shots on Target % and Goal Conversion from those Shots on Target.
• One thing that tilts in France’s favour is the form and stability of their front four attackers in Mbappe, Griezmann, Giroud and Dembele. England don’t yet seem to be 100% settled on their forward players.

PREDICTION

England 2 France 1 (AET) Rashford with the 120′ + 5 winner

The hardest game to pick and the game of the round in our opinion, and the result we’ve changed our minds on so many times. Aside from the dreadful game against the USA, England have been very impressive, but so have France except for when they rested most of their side for the Tunisia game. Flipping a coin here, we really are. 

Winner plays next – Morocco or Portugal

2022 World Cup Quarter Finals Stats so Far

Here’s the quickest comparison of the choicest cuts of stats for all eight quarter finalists so far in the 2022 World Cup.