⚽ International Football Prediction and Discussion Thread ⚽

[ILuckyGuyI]

To this day, I still can't understand why FIFA doesn't put on these international games as soon as the big leagues in Europe finish and then leave 45 days for the players to have vacations. This way, we would watch the big league games without these interruptions that always bring bad results for the clubs because the players arrive injured and tired. But FIFA only thinks about money. They know that during the breaks in the big league games, they will have a lot of viewership, so they will keep the same calendar.

I've always hated these international breaks in regular season.    While we are just getting excited about the leagues a new break arrives! This happens by really short intervals which makes it even more annoying...

Your formula is nice for a solution to this. But the only action they are planning to take for next season is to merge the breaks in September and October into one. So that club football go on smoother after that.

[harapan]

Goal records continue to be broken in World Cup qualifying matches.
Norway scored 11 goals against Moldova on September 9th. On September 7th, Spain scored 6 goals against Türkiye but also conceded an equal number.
Today, Austria scored 10 goals against San Marino and won the match 10-0.
Currently, the record (in this qualifier) ​​is held by Norway.
I'm starting to wonder which team will score the most goals during the qualifiers.

Anautrovic also made himself seen. He didn't just score four goals against San Marino but he was also responsible for making record by becoming the all time highest goal scoring player for Austria.
Norway tonight should do the same thing to isreal tonight for me. They deserve such humiliations. Why are we not talking about the England win last night? Rasmus Höjlund hugely criticised few months back, now scored back to back goals for club and country.

[slapper]

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting match between Argentina vs Venezuela. We know Argentina is a strong team, Argentina has performed well in World Cup qualifiers. But in the last match, Argentina lost against Ecuador. On the other hand, Venezuela has lost by a big margin in the last few matches.

However, Argentina has won 4 matches and drawn 1 match in the last 5 head-to-head matches between these two teams. So Argentina will be ahead based on performance, I think Argentina will win this match. So I want to bet on Argentina in this match, what do you think?

Argentina remains Argentina. That defeat against Ecuador was ugly. But when you really watched it, they had phases one and two, just could not convert. Messi was not even fully fit. Lautaro looked half-sharp. It was one of these "control-but-no-kill" games

Venezuela though... They have been spurting ambitions like fun. Their last two qualifiers? Admitted early, form lost in 60 minutes. The pressing triggers are late. Teams such as Argentina are already in the box before they can react. And that is precisely the type of side you do not want to encounter when your transitions are not smooth

The mentioned head-to-head record (4W-1D) is also a psychological inertia. This is the aura that Argentina have where Venezuela just turn up hoping that they will be able to control the damage. The only little trap here is the rhythm: Argentina has been running heavy, and if they treat it like a tune up, Venezuela could hang around till halftime. But realistically? Argentina 2-0 or 3-1

[Sexylizzy2813]

I think is ok to say France are part of the teams in this World Cup qualifiers that are struggling to play at their best even if they're winning games with the number of good players they have, I don't see them doing things right. Azerbaijan are not doing bad for their standard and holding France to the end part of the first half before they got a goal I think [Azerbaijan] tried, was expecting France to eat their visitors raw right from the first half like more than a goal or two even with a poor defense Azerbaijan have still France are still finding it hard to get another, too bad for Mbappe and co, it could end in a 2nil victory for France but currently they are still leading by 1 goal to nil.

[CLS63]

I think is ok to say France are part of the teams in this World Cup qualifiers that are struggling to play at their best even if they're winning games with the number of good players they have, I don't see them doing things right. Azerbaijan are not doing bad for their standard and holding France to the end part of the first half before they got a goal I think [Azerbaijan] tried, was expecting France to eat their visitors raw right from the first half like more than a goal or two even with a poor defense Azerbaijan have still France are still finding it hard to get another, too bad for Mbappe and co, it could end in a 2nil victory for France but currently they are still leading by 1 goal to nil.

It is a completely one sided match. France have 30 shots as well but still the score is only 3-0 in the last minutes. Azerbaijan should consider themselves very lucky about not getting a disastrous result.

The biggest surprise of the day is Belgium to be honest. They have been completely dominant during the whole match but still it is 0-0. North Macedonia have resisted them very well. I wonder why Belgium struggle this much while they have good names in the attacking line.

[Sexylizzy2813]

I think is ok to say France are part of the teams in this World Cup qualifiers that are struggling to play at their best even if they're winning games with the number of good players they have, I don't see them doing things right. Azerbaijan are not doing bad for their standard and holding France to the end part of the first half before they got a goal I think [Azerbaijan] tried, was expecting France to eat their visitors raw right from the first half like more than a goal or two even with a poor defense Azerbaijan have still France are still finding it hard to get another, too bad for Mbappe and co, it could end in a 2nil victory for France but currently they are still leading by 1 goal to nil.

It is a completely one sided match. France have 30 shots as well but still the score is only 3-0 in the last minutes. Azerbaijan should consider themselves very lucky about not getting a disastrous result.

Yea, a one sided football but it didn't get the result it deserve and the visitors Azerbaijan knew what they were up against and if they had gotten a goal first against France I feel they would have celebrated it like they have won the game tonight and also we could see them defending more than they did in this encounter but still on still, I don't blame the France national team because they saw these guys as the type that can't beat them or get a goal or two. Thought it was going to end 2nil but they got the 3rd, thisbs how they do spoil my bet, good thing I only predicated but wasn't in the mood to play.

[LTU_btc]

Complete opposite from yesterday, tonight I picked best game to watch. Iceland 3:5 Ukraine. It was just crazy game. Interesting thing that despite Ukraine's xG 0.62, they scored 5 goals. It shows that such stats sometimes doesn't reflect the game. Anyway, considering squad that they have, Ukraine can't be happy about their performance in qualifiers.
Main upset is goaless draw between Belgium and North Macedonia parked bus.
A bit unexpect that Switzerland got very confident win against Sweden playing away.

[snipie]

-snip-

I've always hated these international breaks in regular season. 

FIFA listened to your suggestion and will add another international tournament, you can pick a name for it
Seriously talking all what FIFA cares about is money, same goes for UEFA mainly. These bodies know very well that fewer people will watch international competitions, except World Cup obviously, if they put it aside at the end of the season. Players will be tired, coaches wanting some rest and it is summer so people are in vacations. This chosen formula was well studied by them and knew very well that it works good for their pockets. Some leagues decided to reduce the number of the teams in the first league to make it more competitive and to let players rest more. FIFA/UEFA just see this as opportunity to add Nations League for example.

[Bd officer]

The Argentina vs Venezuela match ended as expected, Argentina won 1-0. Although many expected a bigger win. However, Giovani Lo Celso scored a goal for Argentina in the 31st minute of the game and Argentina took the lead. Venezuela managed only 5 shots, while Argentina managed 19 shots. Argentina attacked a lot but could not capitalize on the opportunities. I am very happy with the result of this match, because I won the bet.

[Picture source:] Google

[asriloni]

The Argentina vs Venezuela match ended as expected, Argentina won 1-0. Although many expected a bigger win. However, Giovani Lo Celso scored a goal for Argentina in the 31st minute of the game and Argentina took the lead. Venezuela managed only 5 shots, while Argentina managed 19 shots. Argentina attacked a lot but could not capitalize on the opportunities. I am very happy with the result of this match, because I won the bet.

[Picture source:] Google

It's not a bad game by Argentina. Although i'm a bit disappointed with how they only scored once in that game, but i accept it. They did so many goal attemps, but sadly, opponent goalie (Contreras) turned to be a prime Neuer. It's hard to understand why a goalie who has been bang average can performed far better when he fought stronger club.

They could be scored at least there goals if Contreras performed average, but crazy to see him used everything to block the shoots. I can count that he's blocking more than 8 attemps, and it's really amazed me. Hat off for Venezuela's goalie too.

[harapan]

I think is ok to say France are part of the teams in this World Cup qualifiers that are struggling to play at their best even if they're winning games with the number of good players they have, I don't see them doing things right. Azerbaijan are not doing bad for their standard and holding France to the end part of the first half before they got a goal I think [Azerbaijan] tried, was expecting France to eat their visitors raw right from the first half like more than a goal or two even with a poor defense Azerbaijan have still France are still finding it hard to get another, too bad for Mbappe and co, it could end in a 2nil victory for France but currently they are still leading by 1 goal to nil.

Why do you write like someone pained because you did not win your bet. You did not watch the game too because if you did, you will not say Azerbaijan had a bad defence. They sat back and tried to make it difficult for France to open them, that first goal was just the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe and a slight assist from Ekitike. Somethings missing in France midfield,  they need to protect their creative midfielders at all cost from their respective club sides otherwise, they will suffer if they go to the world cup competition this way.

[RaltcoinsB]

We have a crucial away match against Bulgaria tonight. Our aim is nothing more than three points. If Turkey wins these three points, we'll have an advantage in the race for second place in the group, our only chance to qualify for the World Cup. Then we have a home match against Georgia, and we absolutely must win. We did the hard part and won in Georgia. We want to secure a comfortable home victory and become the second team after Spain to advance from the group.

[Sexylizzy2813]

I think is ok to say France are part of the teams in this World Cup qualifiers that are struggling to play at their best even if they're winning games with the number of good players they have, I don't see them doing things right. Azerbaijan are not doing bad for their standard and holding France to the end part of the first half before they got a goal I think [Azerbaijan] tried, was expecting France to eat their visitors raw right from the first half like more than a goal or two even with a poor defense Azerbaijan have still France are still finding it hard to get another, too bad for Mbappe and co, it could end in a 2nil victory for France but currently they are still leading by 1 goal to nil.

Why do you write like someone pained because you did not win your bet. You did not watch the game too because if you did, you will not say Azerbaijan had a bad defence. They sat back and tried to make it difficult for France to open them, that first goal was just the brilliance of Kylian Mbappe and a slight assist from Ekitike. Somethings missing in France midfield,  they need to protect their creative midfielders at all cost from their respective club sides otherwise, they will suffer if they go to the world cup competition this way.

To start with I didn't bet but I predicted it to end in a 2nil victory for France, I believe you didn't see that part properly or I didn't say it the way you wanted but you should have seen the part where I said "good thing I only predicated it but wasn't in the mood to play it" you should check that out to be sure of my words and for the record I wasn't pained brother and if I lose I don't bring it here, like for what reason again?
Well, to me the visitors wasn't good at the back, if they was good I think it would have been hard for the host to get those 3 goals, but they tried their best and I won't take that from them honestly and I think you was with me when the game was on to know I never watched it, well those are your words.
Another reason why I got pissed about France was because they have everything to bring these Azerbaijan players running back to secure their goalpost, the attackers of France are too quick evening in their respective clubs so they should try to always dominate and score goals against the smaller sides. On what you said about the creative midfielders I agree with you because if these guys are not fit or out due to injury I don't see them doing well when it comes to the main event but it will be hard to protect them as you said from their clubs, they have to be at their best so everything goes and anything can happen and if they don't play out their best they'll drop form ..and they should also make use of every opportunity they have at all cost, this goes to the strikers.

[KTChampions]

Complete opposite from yesterday, tonight I picked best game to watch. Iceland 3:5 Ukraine. It was just crazy game. Interesting thing that despite Ukraine's xG 0.62, they scored 5 goals. It shows that such stats sometimes doesn't reflect the game. Anyway, considering squad that they have, Ukraine can't be happy about their performance in qualifiers.
Main upset is goaless draw between Belgium and North Macedonia parked bus.
A bit unexpect that Switzerland got very confident win against Sweden playing away.

Crazy  I'm surprised when the xG is like ~0.3 and the team scores 2 goals, but here everything is even better. Ukraine has only had one disappointing game so far – away against Azerbaijan – and that can easily be corrected at home. I don't think Ukraine could seriously displace France from first place, so everything is going according to plan: second place and an attempt to qualify for the World Cup through a backup route.

[bitcoin_mining]

The Argentina vs Venezuela match ended as expected, Argentina won 1-0. Although many expected a bigger win. However, Giovani Lo Celso scored a goal for Argentina in the 31st minute of the game and Argentina took the lead. Venezuela managed only 5 shots, while Argentina managed 19 shots. Argentina attacked a lot but could not capitalize on the opportunities. I am very happy with the result of this match, because I won the bet.

[Picture source:] Google

The Argentina missed a lot against Venezuela. Argentina shot on 11 targets, of which only one attack was successful, meaning there is no doubt that their finishing was not good in the match against Venezuela. Argentina is the current defending champion and currently has good players in their team, so the expectations were high for the Argentine team to defeat Venezuela by a large margin, but they could not do that. Maybe they won this match, but their victory in the World Cup matches will not be so easy, so they will have to work on their finishing position in advance. Without Lionel Messi, the performance of toldhe Argentine team seems random to me, Argentina will have to perform well without Lionel Messi because Lionel Messi will not be in the Argentina team after the 2026 World Cup, then if they cannot perform well, they will be far behind all the other teams in the competition.

[Pandu Geddon]

The Argentina missed a lot against Venezuela. Argentina shot on 11 targets, of which only one attack was successful, meaning there is no doubt that their finishing was not good in the match against Venezuela. Argentina is the current defending champion and currently has good players in their team, so the expectations were high for the Argentine team to defeat Venezuela by a large margin, but they could not do that. Maybe they won this match, but their victory in the World Cup matches will not be so easy, so they will have to work on their finishing position in advance. Without Lionel Messi, the performance of toldhe Argentine team seems random to me, Argentina will have to perform well without Lionel Messi because Lionel Messi will not be in the Argentina team after the 2026 World Cup, then if they cannot perform well, they will be far behind all the other teams in the competition.

It's not about the final finishing, but you also have to look at how tight Venezuela's defense was, with many players stacking up in defensive play. 
They were forced to play defensively due to Argentina's dominant possession. But conceding only one goal was not a bad effort. 
All teams will prepare for major competitions, knowing the difficulties they faced will be important for planning training as a solution before the competition begins.

[snipie]

It's not about the final finishing, but you also have to look at how tight Venezuela's defense was, with many players stacking up in defensive play. 
They were forced to play defensively due to Argentina's dominant possession. But conceding only one goal was not a bad effort. 

This game is a friendly one so no maximum efforts were spent on it. No need to focus a lot about the outcome of that match.

Crazy  I'm surprised when the xG is like ~0.3 and the team scores 2 goals, but here everything is even better. Ukraine has only had one disappointing game so far – away against Azerbaijan – and that can easily be corrected at home. I don't think Ukraine could seriously displace France from first place, so everything is going according to plan: second place and an attempt to qualify for the World Cup through a backup route.

aZerbaijan is the weakest team in Group D. France is the best, they are owning the other teams, taking all points and receiving only a goal after 3 rounds. Ukraine is 5 points away from them and Iceland 6 points. There is no chance for them to overthrow France from its position.

[Adiljutt156]

The Argentina vs Venezuela match ended as expected, Argentina won 1-0. Although many expected a bigger win. However, Giovani Lo Celso scored a goal for Argentina in the 31st minute of the game and Argentina took the lead. Venezuela managed only 5 shots, while Argentina managed 19 shots. Argentina attacked a lot but could not capitalize on the opportunities. I am very happy with the result of this match, because I won the bet.

[Picture source:] Google

Argentina national football team played very well in the last match as they did one goal in this match. The shots of Argentina national football team were more in this match and these were 19 and 11 shots were on target. The possession percentage of that team was excellent in this match which was 69 percent in this match and passes of that team were double of the opponent team. The shots of Venezuela national football team were less in this match and that team could not do any goal in this match and we saw one sided match as that team possession was very low in this match. Argentina football team did 1 goal in this match and Lo Celso was a person who did first goal of the match and he did this goal at 31 minutes when it was requirement of the team .

[KTChampions]

Crazy  I'm surprised when the xG is like ~0.3 and the team scores 2 goals, but here everything is even better. Ukraine has only had one disappointing game so far – away against Azerbaijan – and that can easily be corrected at home. I don't think Ukraine could seriously displace France from first place, so everything is going according to plan: second place and an attempt to qualify for the World Cup through a backup route.

aZerbaijan is the weakest team in Group D. France is the best, they are owning the other teams, taking all points and receiving only a goal after 3 rounds. Ukraine is 5 points away from them and Iceland 6 points. There is no chance for them to overthrow France from its position.

That's why Ukraine's position is normal, their tournament strategy and prospects depend on themselves, first, they need to confidently take second place in the group.

A funny game between Latvia and Andorra. When Andorra unexpectedly took the lead, I didn't have time to bet on Latvia at odds of 4.0 – Latvia managed to equalize within 10 minutes. But at halftime, I bet on Latvia to win at odds of 2.03. When the score became 3-1, I thought the job was done, but the third goal was disallowed and the game ended 2-2. Haha.

[HajiBagi]

We have a crucial away match against Bulgaria tonight. Our aim is nothing more than three points. If Turkey wins these three points, we'll have an advantage in the race for second place in the group, our only chance to qualify for the World Cup. Then we have a home match against Georgia, and we absolutely must win. We did the hard part and won in Georgia. We want to secure a comfortable home victory and become the second team after Spain to advance from the group.

Turkey needs three points, which I believe they can get if they play well. Bulgaria will not be an easy opponent because they are playing at home, and any opponent playing at home is always strong because of the passion they have for their country and the fans. Turkey has good players who can play well in the match and take the points from Bulgaria. I believe Arda Guler of Real Madrid will score or assist in the match since the player has been playing well this season since the arrival of Xabi Alonso.

Turkey will take this match very seriously because they lost their last match against Spain, and losing two matches in a row will have affect them, but winning this match will take them to second place in the group stage and give them a good chance of qualifying for the World Cup. I'm not a fan of Turkey, but I like how they played with younger players.