I was talking about the whole thing. The group Brazil should win, unless something drastic happens. I meant the world cup though.
I'd say Brazil and Serbia go through. Scoring points by nationality in the 2017/18 best four European leagues (ESP/ENG/GER/ITA) as of December 27. Overall 01 Spain - 517 (270 goals & 247 assists) 02 Germany - 372 (172 goals & 200 assists) 03 England - 274 (148 goals & 126 assists) 04 Argentina - 192 (124 goals & 68 assists) 05 Brazil - 180 (104 goals & 76 assists) 06 France - 151 (93 goals & 58 assists) 07 Belgium - 108 (65 goals & 43 assists) 08 Uruguay - 63 (45 goals & 18 assists) 09 Croatia - 60 (33 goals & 27 assists) 10 Denmark - 57 (24 goals & 33 assists) 11 Portugal - 47 (15 goals & 32 assists) 12 Serbia - 45 (22 goals & 23 assists) 13 Switzerland - 44 (17 goals & 27 assists) 14 Senegal - 42 (32 goals & 10 assists) 15 Colombia - 39 (21 goals & 18 assists) 16 Poland - 32 (28 goals & 4 assists) 17 Japan - 31 (20 goals & 11 assists) 18 Morocco - 28 (14 goals & 14 assists) 19 Egypt - 25 (18 goals & 7 assists) 20 Iceland - 24 (14 goals & 10 assists) 21 Nigeria - 18 (7 goals & 11 assists) 22 Sweden - 13 (7 goals & 6 assists) 23 Mexico - 13 (6 goals & 7 assists) 24 Australia - 10 (8 goals & 2 assists) 25 South Korea - 9 (6 goals & 3 assists) 26 Costa Rica - 6 (4 goals & 2 assists) 27 Russia - 2 (2 assists) 28 Peru - 1 (1 assist) 29 Iran - 0 29 Panama - 0 29 Saudi Arabia - 0 29 Tunisia - 0 Average place by group Group D - 13.5 (Argentina (04), Croatia (09), Iceland (20), Nigeria (21)) Group E - 14.0 (Brazil (05), Serbia (12), Switzerland (13), Costa Rica (26)) Group B - 14.8 (Spain (01), Portugal (11), Morocco (18), Iran (29)) Group H - 15.5 (Senegal (14), Colombia (15), Poland (16), Japan (17)) Group C - 17.0 (France (06), Denmark (10), Australia (24), Peru (28)) Group G - 17.0 (England (03), Belgium (07), Tunisia (29), Panama (29)) Group F - 18.0 (Germany (02), Sweden (22), Mexico (23), South Korea (25)) Group A - 20.8 (Uruguay (08), Egypt (19), Russia (27), Saudi Arabia (29)) By region (Europe) 01 (01) Spain - 517 (270 goals & 247 assists) 02 (02) Germany - 372 (172 goals & 200 assists) 03 (03) England - 274 (148 goals & 126 assists) 04 (06) France - 151 (93 goals & 58 assists) 05 (07) Belgium - 108 (65 goals & 43 assists) 06 (09) Croatia - 60 (33 goals & 27 assists) 07 (10) Denmark - 57 (24 goals & 33 assists) 08 (11) Portugal - 47 (15 goals & 32 assists) 09 (12) Serbia - 45 (22 goals & 23 assists) 10 (13) Switzerland - 44 (17 goals & 27 assists) 11 (16) Poland - 32 (28 goals & 4 assists) 12 (20) Iceland - 24 (14 goals & 10 assists) 13 (22) Sweden - 13 (7 goals & 6 assists) 14 (27) Russia - 2 (2 assists) By region (South America) 01 (04) Argentina - 192 (124 goals & 68 assists) 02 (05) Brazil - 180 (104 goals & 76 assists) 03 (08) Uruguay - 63 (45 goals & 18 assists) 04 (15) Colombia - 39 (21 goals & 18 assists) 05 (28) Peru - 1 (1 assist) By region (rest of the world) 01 (14) Senegal - 42 (32 goals & 10 assists) 02 (17) Japan - 31 (20 goals & 11 assists) 03 (18) Morocco - 28 (14 goals & 14 assists) 04 (19) Egypt - 25 (18 goals & 7 assists) 05 (21) Nigeria - 18 (7 goals & 11 assists) 06 (23) Mexico - 13 (6 goals & 7 assists) 07 (24) Australia - 10 (8 goals & 2 assists) 08 (25) South Korea - 9 (6 goals & 3 assists) 09 (26) Costa Rica - 6 (4 goals & 2 assists) 10 (29) Iran - 0 10 (29) Panama - 0 10 (29) Saudi Arabia - 0 10 (29) Tunisia - 0
Interesting post but I think that is a bias in it. I think that it would be better if it was classified and scored by number of players in National team , or even just the main players that really play all the matches.
so hard to decide between Serbia and Switzerland. Costa Rica will not pull another shocker because everyone is now aware of them and will take them seriously. So, the debate is whether the Serbians, or the Swiss will grab that delicious 2nd spot. My logic tells me that Switzerland are a bit more homogeneous and solid team, but the gut instinct urges me to pick Serbia. So, I picked Serbia, but the difference in chances is really mininalistic (like 51-52% or so for the Sebians). Anyway... Serbia
I know. I don't really like one team better than the other so there is no bias whatsoever. I mean Switzerland have a better team but not by much. Serbia have better players in attack and could make the difference. I just say Serbia because that is Brazil's last game, so maybe they might field a weaker team if that win their other two games.
yup. This, and Germany's group will be fought until the end, because - besides Germany and Brazil - everyone will fight for that 2nd spot. I think these 2 groups (along with Colombia's group) will be the most interesting to watch. Oh wait, Argentina's group will be interesting, too. Yeah, these 4 groups are the most attractive for me
Every group will be interesting to watch honestly if you ask me. France's and Belgium's group will not be as fun, but there will be a few good games I suppose. The rest of the groups will be pretty interesting.
Nah, if Belgium wasn't in their group I would have not been bothered with watching the games in this group. Ok, I admit that I will still watch the games in Belgium's group, and likewise in Russia's group, but only because this is the WC. But, otherwise, I'm telling you... with the exception of Belgium (which I like and hope they win the WC), Russia and England's groups don't interest me as much as the other groups. I just don't like any of the teams in these 2 groups, sorry.
As for the race for the second place I give the edge to Serbia. Costs Rica lost much of its magic and will most likely lose all games. It will be a tight race between the Serbs and the Swiss. In my book the Serbs are better gowing forward, the Swiss have the more solid defense. They cancel each other out. So there's a high chance for a draw between them. I think Brazil will win its first two games as they will do evetything in their power to avoid a potential clash against Germany in the round of 16. I think Serbia has got the advantage here in playing Brazil last. This might help them to get a draw from Brazil and go through together with them. Also the inclusion of Milinković-Savić is one reason why I give the edge to the Serbia as I expect him to perform well in the World Cup.
Russia's group will be interesting because of the circumstances. Russia are the hosts and can sometimes produce good results despite them not being that great of a team. Uruguay I am not sure where they are at right now. I am pretty sure they are best in their group but many of us disagree on how superior they actually are. Egypt has not been to WC in such a long time so it will be interesting to see how they will perform. Saudi Arabia vs Egypt is a derby and Saudi can cause problems too.
Uruguay is one of the most overrated teams in World football in my opinion. I saw several games of them in qualfying. I think they aren't much superior to Russia and Egypt. Just marginally. Uruguay lacks technical players in the midfield who can give good service to Cavani and Suarez. Most of their goals don't come of great combination rather through forcing opponents players to mistakes or from set-peaces. But they are now introducing some fresh blood in the midfield with Bentancour. They really need this.
1st part: Uruguay is at home right now (joke, but wanted to say it ) 2nd part: I think Egypt is too Salah-dependant. Elneny has not impressed me with Arsenal, that guy mostly sleeps on the pitch, never gives a shit about anything, all he wants to do is be left alone like he deserves the moon in the sky.... And I think there's another Egyptian player that plays for one of the EPL clubs, I just can't remember who he is. But anyway, even with 3 men you can't bother Uruguay too much, or even Russia for that matter which, I believe, will be heavily helped to go out of the group. As for Saudi Arabia... nobody will fear them. I hope they prove me wrong, but I doubt it
Uruguay is one of those teams that don't shine, but seamlessly squeeze through everyone's attention and make it to higher ground (quarter finals and above). Besides, they have experience on their side (you rarely surprise a team that makes the knock-out stages at every international tournament), plus they are organized. I think these 3 qualities, combined with the clinical finishing of Cavani and Suarez' skill and precision will have Uruguay top their group without problems.
LOL, actually no because quite a few of their players play in Europe. Some of Uruguay is at home but not all of them. The other Egyptian player in the EPL is Ramadan Sobhi, a Stoke City player (mostly a bench player). I don't think he is even a starting player for Egypt National Team, although I could be wrong.
so they have 4 players in EPL, cause I was thinking about Hegazi of WBA. Just finished watching Liverpool vs WBA in the FA Cup, and I saw that Hegazi was the player I was talking about
Ahh ok never heard of Hegazi before. Just looked it up and Ali Gabr plays there as well and he is Egyptian, so it is 5 players in EPL now.
Yeah... but still, Salah seems the most talented of them all. If Egypt's gonna make it to the round of 16 it will be mostly because of Salah, and the coach. But even so, it will be tough because Uruguay + a Russian team that will most likely be helped to advance
I haven't seen any full games of Egypt to comment on them...but you're off your rocker if you think Uruguay aren't much superior to Russia. You saw the same Confederations Cup? Russia choked at home against Mexico, who are at Uruguay's level if not slightly below them. They had a lull during a part of WCQ b/c in South America, no one gets favors - that is, on any given day, you show up with less than your A-game and you're likely to lose. But Uruguay will outperform Russia in its own World Cup - book it. Back on topic: a major factor in determining Costa Rica's chances in this group is if Joel Campbell can return to form in five months. Injuries deprived Costa Rica of his services for pretty much all of last year, except for two games in the Gold Cup; and if he can't make it back, Costa Rica's goalscoring production will depend on the inconsistent Marco Ureña.
Agree 100%. I think it will be Uruguay and Russia. I would be very surprised if Russia do not get quite a few decisions in their favor.
A Moderator, please move posts from #36 on to Group A thread. Gosh once we get into a certain subject I start to forget what thread this actually is supposed to be on and just follow the posts.
In my memory Russia wasn't that bad against Mexico. In a given day they could have beaten Mexico. That game was absolutely their best in the Confederations Cup. Also I saw their friendlies against Iran and Spain (both draws) and I thought they were slightly imoroved compared to the Confederations Cup. I am currently watching Egypt's full games to get an idea of them. But I mean if we take home advantage into consideration a Russia-Uruguay match-up is pretty even. Somewhat 50:50. At least in my book.
Your memory is correct. Russia played well against Mexico and deserved better than to lose on a blunder by their keeper. Mexico, like Uruguay, is an experienced squad that produces consistent results not by looking stellar but getting the job done. Overall, though, while it was clearly disappointing for Russia to not advance from its group in the Confederations Cup, I wouldn't read too much into it. Group A is all up for grabs but Russia, as hosts, will clearly be a side that would be favored to advance. Uruguay might be most likely side to join them, but nothing is going to be set in stone in this group. The report below, incidentally, might help refresh memories as to the Russia-Mexico match since the passage of time, what people are usually left to remember is just the result. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jun/24/mexico-russia-confederations-cup-hirving-lozano
I am not all that interested in this group to want to comment on it much. Other than Brazil, none of Switzerland, Serbia or Costa Rica will be on my list of teams to watch. Nothing against any of them, and my hats off to Costa Rica for their surprising campaign in 2014, but there are probably 29 teams in this World Cup that interest me more (whether positively or negatively) than any of Switzerland, Serbia or Costa Rica.
This group is very interesting. 1. If Brazil win the group to avoid Germany, (i thnink germany win the grouo) 2,If Swedeb advance, they gonna play against some from this group (oku probably Brazil) 3. I wanna see how good Costa Rica is this world cup, 4. Serbia, have many interesting players, 5. For me Switzerland is very interesting, i think they gonna take the next step now. (against Argentina in overtime last world cup, against Poland on penalties last euro) 6. I think both Swiss and Serbia can upset Brazill. 7,Brazil - Serbia, Brazil - Swizerland, Switzerland - Serbia 8. Serbia - Costa Rica = very important match for both teams.