21/03/2024
Based on the statistics of the Greek and Kazakh teams and the expert preview, we can expect an exciting match in the Euro 2024 qualifying playoff. Greece, as the former continental champion, and Kazakhstan, which has never participated in a major tournament, are both looking to advance to the next round. Below I provide a detailed analysis based on team statistics and preliminary analysis of the match.
Greece’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Greece have excelled in possession and passing accuracy throughout the qualifiers, boasting a pass accuracy of 86.25% and a possession rate of 50.13%, indicating their ability to control the game. Their attacking play is strong, scoring an average of 1.75 goals per match, and while their defense has also been solid with an average of just 1 goal per match, the high number of yellow cards (2.75/match) and two sending offs is a concern for the team’s discipline.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan’s results during the qualifiers were impressive, with 6 wins and an average of 1.6 goals per match. However, the team’s defense is a bit more vulnerable, conceding an average of 1.2 goals per game. In terms of ball possession and passing accuracy, Kazakhstan is inferior to Greece, which may cause a disadvantage in the control of the game. However, their outstanding possession ability (41.6/match) and high number of yellow cards (3/match) suggest that they are a physically strong and aggressive team.
Key Players and Tactical Analysis
In Greece, the return of Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas is a major boost in defence, while the attacking power of Vangelis Pavlidis could be key. For Kazakhstan, Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov’s scoring prowess and leadership skills could be crucial.
Forecast
1) The winner: Greece is favored to win the match, but a draw is possible in regular time. Based on their strong performance at home, their high passing accuracy, and their ability to possess the ball, Greece will be able to dominate the game and exploit the weaknesses of the Kazakh defense. The Kazakh team’s physical style of play and aggressiveness could be a challenge, but Greece’s experience and technical skills seem to be enough to win.
2) Number of goals: Probably more than 1.5 goals will be scored in the match. Based on the attack-oriented playing style of both teams and the statistical data, goals are expected on both sides. Greece’s strong attacking play, which has resulted in an average of 1.75 goals per match, and Kazakhstan’s similarly high scoring average (1.6/match) suggest that the match will be open and eventful. Furthermore, the vulnerability of Kazakhstan’s defense, which has conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game, and Greece’s strength at home indicates that the home team will score more goals.
The presence of key players such as Pavlidis and Zaynutdinov, as well as the tactical formations that promote attacking play in both teams, also contribute to the prediction. In addition, taking into account the stable defense of Greece, which conceded less than one goal on average, as well as the results achieved in Kazakhstan’s previous meetings, where they were able to cause surprises, the outcome of the match is not one-sided, a draw is also conceivable.
It’s important to note that while statistics and team form are important predictors, there’s always room for surprises in football, especially in a high-stakes match where both teams are under a lot of pressure. The performance and development of the Kazakh team so far, as well as the experience of the Greeks, both show that this match could be close, but based on the statistics and the current form of the teams, Greece is closer to victory (with a possible draw in normal time), a high-scoring match.