Argentina vs. Netherlands: Close Semifinal Predicted

When the round of 16 draw was finalized, AccuScore simulated every match 10,000 times to come to a conclusion on which teams would advance and which teams would go out. With only one semi-final remaining, AccuScore is perfect in all its picks.

Yes, the AccuScore computer picked Germany over Brazil, and that was when Neymar was healthy. With Neymar and Thiago Silva out, AccuScore was even more confident that Germany would advance to the final.


AccuScore’s World Cup Bracket Set at Round of 16...still perfect

However, the semifinal between Netherlands and Spain was a tad bit trickier. AccuScore picked Argentina to go through by the slimmest of margins: 51 percent. That was with Angel Di Maria included in the lineup. With Di Maria ruled out due to a thigh injury, Netherlands is now favored to advance to the final according to the computer, which remains perfect.

Looking at his statistics, Di Maria may only have one goal, but the Real Madrid midfielder led the team in shots and shots on target. Also, he made as many attacking solo runs into the opposition’s box as Lionel Messi and out-passed Argentina’s savior by a considerable margin. Considering the lack of reliability in any of Argentina’s strikers and the slimmest of margins, AccuScore recalculated the semifinal between Netherlands and Argentina, and Argentina ended up as the underdog.


Without Di Maria, Netherlands is the slight favorite

To be fair, the difference is not massive. Netherlands is now 51.7 percent to advance to the final against Germany and Argentina is 48.3 percent to accomplish the feat. However, the injury to Di Maria appears to be the difference for Argentina, even with Sergio Aguero passed fit for the South Americans.

Also worth keeping in mind that if Dutch striker Robin van Persie is unable to play due to a stomach virus, Argentina again becomes the favorite again.

By no means is AccuScore going back on its original bracket, but based on updated statistics and injuries, Netherlands is the slight favorite to face Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

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