The semi-finals kick off tonight with pre-tournament favourites Brazil taking on Germany for only the second time in World Cup history.
The last was Brazil’s victory over them in the 2002 final but which way will it go tonight? Airton Risk, a division of Paddy Power PLC look at some of the numbers going into the game.
Germany have kept four clean sheets (after 90 minutes) in five matches, no side have kept more so far. It is a 12.5% chance for Germany to win 1-0.
Brazil may not be the same team without Neymar but they should go into this game with some confidence; they have not lost in their last six World Cup semi-finals, winning five and drawing the other (winning on penalties in 1998). They have a 55% chance to make the final.
For Germany goals have been a real team effort. Their last six in the competition have been netted by six different players. It is a 14% chance that a 7th different player will score for them. Miroslav Klose needs one goal to be the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, he is currently joint-top with Ronaldo (15 goals). Klose is a 25% chance to score anytime tonight.
Brazil may have home advantage, but if it goes to the wire the stats back the Europeans. The last nine World Cup penalty shoot outs have been won by the team going first and Germany have never lost a shoot-out. They are 10% likely to qualify on penalties.
