World Cup Predictions
World Cup Predictions
Some shots in the dark World Cup predictions
I have not done the normal research going into this type of big tournament. As I mentioned in the newsletter laying out my plans for coverage, this one feels weird with the host and the timing, which has really thrown things off.
Well, let’s get into it.
Group A
Netherlands to win, Ecuador runners up.
Netherlands are the clear favorites to win this group and I don’t disagree. I think that they will strangle teams with their high possession and score just enough to get through things pretty comfortably.
Picking the runner-up will be tough. If Sadio Mane wasn’t out injured I would have picked Senegal because Mane is the best player in this group and that probably would have been enough to get them out this. Without him they fall back into the pack a bit.
I am going to go with Ecuador to pip runners up but it really feels like a toss up and I don’t have a ton of confidence in this pick.
Group B
England to win, USA runners up.
England are head and shoulders the most talented team in this group and they should win. They also play a dreadful style given their talent and are looking like they are going to stick with players that Gareth Southgate trusts vs players that are in form. I think that is a recipe for a team that is set to underperform their talent but should be enough to get through this group.
For runners up I am going to be a homer and pick the United States.
This is what the betting odds say is the most likely outcome and well I think picking between these teams is tough so I will go with the crowd on this one.
Group C
Argentina to win, Poland runners up.
I am again going with overall talent to pick the group winners and that mean Argentina. Argentina are another team that feels like less than their talent but they do again have that superior edge so they get the call.
I am picking Poland here but I don’t feel great about it.
Mexico could do it but I thnk they won’t be able to control matches enough in this group to keep out goals.
Group D
Denmark to win, France runners up.
I am going to buck the trend here and pick Denmark over France. France is missing N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, and potentially Karim Benzema. Didier Deschamps also plays a miserable style considering the talent on the team. I think they have the potential to underperform here.
Denmark are solid team who are good defensively. I think that will be enough to see them score just enough to win matches with the likes of Eriksen, Lindstrom and Dolberg up front. This is really my out-of-leftfield pick so we will see if it actually works or not.
Group E
Germany to win, Spain runners up.
This feels like a very tough group and it is one that I feel is the hardest to call.
Interestingly Spain are the bookies favorites but I think that they might run into a bit of trouble with Costa Rica and Japan that they drop points somewhere in one of those matches causing them to finish second. Finishing second in this group might be a bit of a blessing as that puts the team on the other side of the bracket from a potential match with Brazil.
Germany are a good team but with a question at striker (this feels like it has always been the main weakness of Germany) but picking Germany at a big tournament of Spain just feels like the right call.
Group F
Belgium to win, Croatia runners up.
Beligium are at the end of their golden generation but are still the most talented in this pretty even group. I have questions about the defense and I think that will limit how far they can go in the tournament but it should be enough to see them still win this group.
For the runner up I don’t have strong feelings but went with the betting odds again picking Croatioa. Morocco don’t have a ton of household names but do just seem to find ways to win. Canada are dangerous counter-attacking team and that might be enough to see them create an upset in this group.
Group G
Brazil to win, Serbia runners up.
Brazil are favorites to win the tournament and I think that is for a good reason, they will win this group and I think will do so pretty comfortably.
Picking the runner up is a tough choice between Serbia and Switzerland but ultimately I am going with the team with the better chance of scoring goals and I think that is Serbia.
Group H
Winner Uruguay, runner up Portugal
Portugal are the most talented team in this group and arguably talent wise are probably among the top teams in this tournament, however, they have the Cristiano Ronaldo problem. Ronaldo is still a very good player but the sacrifices required to fit him in are numerous (as Manchester United has found out) plus it seems like Fernando Santos has never adapted his tactics for the talent in his team. They are another one where it really seems like they are much less than the sum of their parts.
I am picking Uruguay in this one because well they are just full of attacking talent and might be a fun chaos team. They could be a mess at the back but maybe it will lead to some fun matches.
Round of 16
Netherlands beats the USA.
Argentina beats France.
Germany beats Croatia.
Brazil beats Portugal.
England beats Ecuador.
Denmark beats Poland.
Spain beats Belgium.
Uruguay beats Serbia.
Quarterfinals
Argentina beats Netherlands.
Brazil beats Germany.
Denmark beats England.
Spain beats Uruguay.
Semifinal
Brazil beats Argentina.
Spain beats Denmark.
Final
Brazil beats Spain.
My Bets for the World Cup
To put my money where my mouth is these are the bets that I have placed. (Betting should be fun, never bet more than you can afford to lose, all betting should be thought about as entertainment where that money is lit on fire as soon as it is committed.)
USA eliminated in the round of 16.
A CONMEBOL team to win.
Brazil to win
Spain to win