World Cup Thread 2018

I think Germany will win this one

 

I backed Belgium at 16-1 about a year ago - now having doubts

France have excellent individuals - will they be able to play as a team??

 

I really can't see anyone outside of France, Germany or Spain winning this one. Brazil always have an outside chance, but the group behind are either not at the World Cup or hideously poor. Netherlands and Italy didn't make it, Argentina outside of attack are a shadow of their former selves, and the less said about England the better. There's definitely a semi final spot or two up for grabs for any of the nations in the next bracket down.

 

A nice wall chart.....

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For England to win the WC then these are my guesses who we will have to play along the way.

If we win the group: Round of 16 - Colombia, QF - Brazil, SF - France, Final - Germany

If we come 2nd in the group: Round of 16 - Poland, QF - Germany, SF - Spain, Final - Brazil

 

My wife has to fly out to visit family on Friday the 15th so i've had to book time off work (home with the kids) up until Sunday 24th, shame she isn't away for 2 weeks!

 

you could always " thankgoodness you are back, I need a rest and take a week off! ….lol

 

I really should know better, but surely we're a shoe-in for the Quarter Finals at least........

 

Colombia or Poland are good enough to not make it a shoe-in, but you'd like to think we can actually win a knockout game for the first time in 12 years!

Before thinking about that though, still need to get out of the group. Your average bloke on the street will dismiss Tunisia and Panama out of hand, but in their most recent friendlies they've drawn 2-2 and 0-0 with Portugal and Northern Ireland respectively, so they're not complete mugs. Hopefully we can win the first two games and secure qualification before the Belgium game, as finishing first or second isn't likely to have a significant impact on our chances, whereas using it as an opportunity to rest some key players so their fresher for the latter stages might...

 

Think Belgium have the same problem, I put a bet on Griezmann being top scorer though

 

You would think that would be the case wouldn't you. We should come top 2 in our group. After the groups, we face a team from Group H.
If we win our group, we face the runner up of Group H.
If we come 2nd then we face the winner of Group H.

Group H again, Poland, Columbia, Japan and Senegal.

I think Poland will win the group and Columbia will come 2nd. I rather face Columbia over Poland so we have to win our group to have a better chance of reaching the QF. But that's when we get humiliated. But I wouldn't be surprised if we don't finish top 2 in our group!

 

I don't think there's much between Colombia and Poland, but maybe Colombia are slight favourites (quick look at bookies says they agree). Poland may have Lewandowski, but Colombia have the likes of James Rodriguez, Falcao, Juan Caudrado etc. Yes, you always want to top your group, but I think having a fresher squad for the latter stages is a higher priority and once you reach the quarter finals, there's not much difference in quality.

 

The World Cup starts tomorrow people! I know there are a couple of prediction games pinned, but I thought I'd start a more general thread.

I've got to say, I am a big fan of the World Cup - even if England have especially disappointed in the last couple. There's an almost carnival atmosphere that surrounds it and I'll be watching as much of it as I can.

Even up until a few days ago I had Spain down as my tip to win, though the live news suggest that their coach Julien Lopetegui has been sacked as a result of accepting the vacant Real Madrid job! Not sure why it would be a problem to have your next job lined up before the competition (it didn't hurt England that Bobby Robson was on his way to PSV), but I think their FA is irritated given that he'd not long ago signed a new contract.

Brazil look strong at the minute, whereas Germany do what they do by being poor/mediocre in the friendlies before the competition but then taking it by storm. Argentina only just qualified, whilst France and Belgium have incredibly strong sides on paper, but doubts about their coaches (Martinez in particular) and how they play as a unit.

For me England qualify 2nd behind Belgium, then a 50/50 shot against Poland or Colombia and out in the quarters if they get past that, though people are writing off Tunisia as also-rans a bit too willingly and the opening match is possibly our most important of the group.

Here's to hopefully a great tournament!