Our football match prediction:
Brazil
Match Time & Date:
06/07/2018
19:00 GMT
Prediction: 2-1
Belgium
Kazan' Arena will host Friday's football game between Brazil and Belgium, who face each other in the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals. The Brazilians recorded a routine 2-0 win over Mexico, with Neymar both scoring the opener and providing an assists for Roberto Firmino. Tite’s men are seen as No. 1 favourites to lift the trophy, but they will have a big fish to fry in the clash against Belgium. The Red Devils came from two goals behind to beat Japan 3-2 in the last 16, but they will have to be at their sharpest in Friday’s showdown if they are to book their place in the semis. Brazil are more of a team than Belgium and that is the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on the South American giants. In their last meeting (2012) at the World Cup finals Brazil recorded a 2-0 win over Belgium.
Highlighted Player (Willian):
Willian is a Brazilian football player who was born on 9 August, 1988 in Ribeirao Pires. After playing for Corinthians in the 2006/2007 season, in 2007 he joined Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk. The pacey winger won four Ukrainian Premier League trophies with the Miners, while clinching the UEFA Cup title in 2009 as well. During his spell with Shakhtar, Willian was on Chelsea’s radar and in 2013 the chiefs of the Premier League club agreed a deal to sign the Brazilian ace for a fee of £30 million. Willian won the Premier League trophy with Chelsea in the 2014/2015 season and the following season he was named Chelsea Player of the year. The 30-year-old winger has 38 caps for Brazil and he has netted six goals for the national team. Speaking of his personal life, Willian is married to Vanessa Martins, who gave birth to their twin daughters Valentina and Manuella.
Highlighted Team (Belgium):
Present on the international stage since 1904, Belgium national team have had plenty of ups and downs in the past, finishing as runners up at the 1980 European Championship in Italy. The Red Devils also won the third place on home soil at the 1972 tournament, while they enjoyed some success at the World Cup finals as well. Belgium qualified for 12 World Cup tournaments, reaching the semi-finals in 1986 and quarter-finals at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. It is the generation that played in Brazil that is believed to be the most talented team since the one featuring Enzo Scifo, Michel Preud’homme and Franky van der Elst. Playing their home games at King Baudouin Stadium, the Red Devils have impressed at the start of the 21st century, with the likes of Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne just some of the world-class players in the squad. Following some impressive results in the Euro 2016 qualifiers and international friendlies, Belgium climbed to number 1 position in the FIFA Rankings in November 2015.
