WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS
Part 2 :)
It’s so weird how some people can predict and then successfully bet on something happening and then it does. Like how even? What sort of sorcery do you use? Please teach me the ways of the dark mystic arts.
Well that was random.
Group E: Germany, Costa Rica, Spain, and Japan. Group of Death 1.
If I said this back in 2020 I would have a medical professional outside my door right now doing a test on me. (NO NOT THAT TYPE OF TEST). But I think the Germans will be missing Timo Werner in this tournament. His directness and runs in behind will be greatly missed due to the lack of striking options for the 4 time champs. However, this being a short training camp of only 2 weeks before the world cup? I think the Germans have 1 major advantage. Bayern Munich. Hansi Flicks 4–2–3–1 will potentially have an entire attack consisting of Bayern players. Expect them to line-up as follows:
Neuer, Klostermann, Rudiger, Sule, Raum, Goretzka, Kimmich, Sane, Musiala, Gnabry and Muller. Giving the, 7 Bayern players and a level of synergy that maybe only the Spanish midfield has. I think Germany will top this group especially due to the crumble at the last edition there’s just an added incentive and we all know, Germany is a scary team with motivation.
Costa Rica are one of the lower scoring teams of the tournament and one of the worst at keeping possession with a terrible 39% on average however they did rank highly in saves, interceptions and clean sheets so them being dominated may actually play into their game plan better. But the level of competition disparity between the CONCACAF qualifying and the 3 teams in their group is immense, I’m sorry but bottom on 0 points with 0 goals scored. Mark my words I’m sure of it.
The Spaniards have chosen to leave Thiago Alcantara, David de Gea and Sergio Ramos home, that’s a combined experience level that is incredibly difficult to match, even more so with the youth Spain is taking with them to Qatar. Spain may actually be the most interesting team to watch this World Cup… on Twitch because Luis Enrique will be giving full analysis and breakdowns of his ideas with the squad on the streaming service but I think they just won’t score goals. Their talisman for this 11 is Alvaro Morata, and while he is outperforming his xG this season, the fact that his xG is only 3.7 as a striker is quite atrocious and that in comparison with the 2 midfielders (Pedri and Gavi) having 1 assist between them this season? Seems like a recipe for disaster.
While Spain have been in decent form headed into the World Cup, I think the same issues will arise in regards to their scoring.
Japan. This is a tough one. Japan have a trend of making it out 1 tournament and failing the next. In 02' they qualified to knockouts. In 06' out in group and this up and down trend has continued till 2018 suggesting that if this sequence continues they should get knocked out this year. BUT, I back them. They have experience in Kawashima, Yoshida and Nagatomo and they also have new found quality in Takumi Minamino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Wataru Endo, Daichi Kamada, Kaoru Mitoma and Takefuso Kubo to name a few and they always prove to be a tough opposition to play. Leaving Celtic star Furuhashi seems confusing but Japanese legend Tamada says he has a ‘pressing problem’ which wouldn’t suit Japan. A manager who knows what he wants? Sounds like Japan are a forced to be reckoned with.
Final Group Standings:
Germany (9)
Japan (6)
Spain (3)
Costa Rica (0)
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Croatia, and Morocco
Croatia have the best midfield in the tournament. I said it okay. Brozovic, Kovacic and Modric? They’ll absolutely blow the rest of this group out of the water. Croatia has a strong 11 with the weakest point being the wingplay but there is no doubt in my mind that 34 year old Perisic turns back the clock and plays like a 22 year old reborn. Am I overlooking Belgium? Yes. But for good reason. Croatia have won their last 5 headed into the tournament. You’ll see.
Belgium are missing Lukaku and they are the second most predictable team in this tournament behind Mexico. Listen very carefully. Despite their 2–0 loss to Egypt, Belgium will thump Canada in their opening game and the entire world will erupt and claim that this year Belgium will win only to be disappointed like they have been in 2014 at the world cup, then the 2016 euros, then the 2018 world cup and then the 2020 euros. They’re always the best on paper but struggle when it really counts. Also, Lukaku being injured will mean they won’t win their group as I think Openda and Batshuayi will struggle meaning KDB will have to carry them. Excited for Trossard though.
I’m going to do Canada and Morocco together as I believe they have no chance at making it out the group. Canada have a half-fit maybe not even playing Alphonso Davies so there isn’t really a chance or half chance or 1/18th of a chance. And Morocco well, they have suprisingly decent names on the team sheet in En-Nesyri, Ziyech, Boufal, Mazraoui, Hakimi and Saiss but I just think sacking their manager 3 months before the tournament for differences in vision is ridiculous. A bit like sacking Jose before a final, eh Tottenham? How’d that work out for you?
Final Group Standings:
Croatia (9)
Belgium(6)
Morocco (3)
Canada (0)
Group G: Cameroon, Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia
Let’s start this group off with the obvious 2 teams. Cameroon at the bottom and Brazil on top. Pause.
Cameroon aren’t the worst team in the world with players like Aboubakar, Onana, Hongla and Mbeumo but within this group I think they are unquestionaly the worst team in the group, that’s not a bad thing by any means. Kudos for getting here but you will be on the first flight back home lads.
And it goes without saying that the boys from South America will top the group. Listen, I’m all for wackadoodle ideas and crazy suggestions but even Stevie Wonder can see this side is finishing 1st. There is WAAAAAAAY too much quality on show here. I bet my mortage on it.
(jokes on you I don’t have a home)
And finally the pickle. Serbia v Switzerland. This tie can swing either way. Switzerland with Xhaka, Zakaria, Sommer, Akanji, Freuler and how can we not mention Shaqiri or Serbia with Vlahovic, Mitrovic, Jovic, Milinkovic-Savic and Tadic (I feel like I’m listing sicknesses). It’ll be a star studded showdown between 2 equally matched teams that won’t win the tournament. But a fiesty battle for 2nd place. Both these teams have been in decent form headed into the world cup. The Swiss have the advantage based off of experienc but I am backing the Serbians to come away victorious. I just think the options and flexibility they have in attack and the lack of dependency on individuals that the Swiss have will come in handy. But I genuinely think it’ll be as thin as a cats whisker between the 2.
Final Group Standings:
Brazil (9)
Serbia (6)
Switzerland (3)
Cameroon (0)
AND FINALLY THE GROUP OF DEATH PART 2
Group H: Ghana, South Korea, Uruguay, and Portugal.
I don’t know where to start.
On paper Portugal are the strongest team and South Korea are the weakest. But South Korea have won 6 out of their last 9 games and have a solid base at each section. In defence Napoli star Kim-Min Jae, in midfield they’ll have Lee Jae-Sung on the flanks they have captain and world star Heung-Min Son and upfront Premier League player Hwang-Hee Chan.
Despite South Korea’s strong base across the field I think they will be eliminated. I don’t see a world where they can knock out all 3 of these teams that are stronger on paper, maybe 1 or at best 2 but not all 3. And given their history at these tournaments I feel as if they will be eliminated.
The battle between Ghana, Uruguay and Portugal is closer than many people think. Ghana and Uruguay will have personal beef because of am infamous incident in 2010 with a certain man still in the Uruguay squad.
I expect the 3 teams to line up as follows:
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Ruben Neves, Danilo Pereira, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Cristiano Ronaldo with Joao Felix being the main contributor off the bench. This gives Portugal the best 11 in the entire tournament but there’s always questions with them. Is Fernando Santos good enough? Can Bruno and Ronaldo play together?
Uruguay with Fernando Muslera, Ronaldo Araujo, Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez, Mathias Oliveira, Lucas Torreira, Matias Vecino, Rodrigo Bentancur, Fede Valverde, Edinson Cavani and Darwin Nunez. Uruguay have inform players and experience that can surely take you far and I believe they are one of the dark horses of this tournament.
Ghana with Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Tariq Lamptey, Alexander Djiku/Joseph Aidoo, Mohammed Salisu, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew and Inaki Williams. Ghana will undoubtedbly be the fittest team in the entire tournament and they will be strong and imposing but there is always the question of African teams at the tournament and their below par record at these events.
Which leads me to believe that the
Final Group Standings:
Portugal (7)
Uruguay (5)
Ghana (2)
South Korea (1)
No revenge I’m afraid.
SOOOOO, if you are keeping track of my predictions that would mean that you’ve identified that my 16 teams in the knockouts are:
Netherlands, Senegal, England, Iran, Argentina, Mexico, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Croatia, Belgium, Brazil, Serbia, Portugal and Uruguay.
Here’s your reward for keeping track. #
See you in the next one where I tournament tree my way through the knockout stages.
*cue the mission impossible soundtrack*