The World Cup draw results: Group A: Russia - Egypt - Uruguay - Saudi Arabia Group B: Portugal - Spain - Morocco - Iran Group C: France - Australia - Peru - Denmark Group D: Argentina - Iceland - Croatia - Nigeria Group E: Brazil - Switzerland - Costa Rica - Serbia Group F: Germany - Mexico - Sweden - Korea Group G: Belgium - Panama - Tunisia - England Group H: Poland - Senegal - Columbia - Japan
Such a boring draw no real groups of death like in other years. Russia-Saudi Arabia opener should be a blast.
Barring the couple of major surprises that are bound to happen, the group stage of this WC should be pretty tedious. No real Group(s) of Death indeed (Group F may be the closest). Some interesting matchups though like Spain v Portugal or Belgium v England (if the group is not settled by then) among others. But unlike 2014, if the tournament gets really into gear in the knockout rounds, I'll be perfectly fine with it.
I think group F is the most interesting group. I'll be paying close attention to groups C & D since I'll be rooting for Iceland and Peru in this world cup. Still excited despite the drab draw. Oh, and P.S. ******** the US men's national team.
Here is my prediction for each group: A: Egypt Russia B: Spain Portugal C: France Denmark D: Croatia Nigeria E: Brazil Serbia F: Germany Mexico G: Belgium England H: Poland Colombia Second Round: Portugal beats Egypt France beats Nigeria Brazil beats Mexico Belgium beats Colombia Spain beats Russia Croatia beats Denmark Germany beats Serbia England beats Poland Quarters: Portugal beats France Belgium beats Brazil Croatia beats Spain Germany beats England Semis: Belgium beats Portugal Croatia beats Germany Third place: Germany beats Portugal Final: Belgium beats Croatia
There's no groups of death because of how they re-configured the seeding. It basically eliminated any chance of a group of death. The only outside chance was if a group ended up with Spain, Senegal, and Serbia along with the top seed.
It's going to be feast or famine in my opinion for Belgium. I really hope that Henry will not leave for another job before the WC: as a guy who went all the way once (and been to another final), that experience in the Martinez's coaching staff is invaluable for Belgium.
Pretty bold having Belgium win. They seem like a less talented version of France. By that I mean a team loaded with talented individuals that don't really play well together. I'd say the clear favorites are France and Germany with Spain being a dark horse. Still think that Germany are still too complete for everyone else and step up in big tournaments.
The Argentina group is a group of death or the closest one to it. The minnows will surprise the big teams (ie. Belgium/Croatia)
Agreed. I want to make a bet on my prediction, the winnings will be great. Germany will be susceptible on the counter. Croatia will not be easy for them.
Brazil are my clear favorites as well. They've played fantastically in the qualifiers and are extremely well balanced all over the pitch. Germany are 1a for me: very deep, talented and they've got one of the best coach, in Low. Will take some doing to beat them. Belgium are outsiders at best: they could play spoilers, if they can get it together and go on an incredible run. Defensively though with a Martinez coached team is a worry, but if Kompany is fit and remains so throughout the tournament, they can beat anyone.
I'm convinced the Russians collaborated to give themselves an easy group and throw Iran to the lions with Portugal and Spain. I really like Groups D and H.
Portugal & Morocco are easily beaten. Edit: But I do love a good conspiracy theory. Especially when it comes to FIFA.
Out of the big(ger) boys I like France, Brazil, and Belgium to win. Would love a genuine surprise though. As long as it's not Russia.
Won't sleep on Argentina either and could see a repeat scenario of 2002 when Brazil got in, like them, in the last game of the qualifiers and things just fell into place at the WC and they ended up winning it. Sampaoli has time to set the team right and there is still plenty of top, top talent. And could be scary if they get their act together. Sampaoli is a good tournament type manager as well.
I don't think Brazil are a real threat. Just looking at the spine of that team they just wreak of a team that will crack under pressure. Defensively they are suspect as well. I think Senegal could cause some upsets as well as Serbia. Talent wise France should be well ahead of everyone else but they just can't seem to play as a team. Germany are still the best all around team followed by Spain in my opinion.
Interesting take when spine wise, we're looking at probably Thiago Silva and Marquinhos at CB, Casemiro and Paulinho (who has been mint under Tite ad so far with Barca) at CM and probably GJ upfront. And then you look at the players surrounding them, starting with Neymar, who regardless of what one thinks about him, is one of the best players in the game at the moment. Coutinho just fits right in slightly behind GJ ad Neymar. Their current coach, Tite, has got this team purring and unless they lose important players, they should be going pretty far.
Agreed on your statement. Belgium winning along with the bracket of who qualifies from each. Belgium won't meet Germany in my scenario until the final.
A recreation of the Maradona v Belgium picture - with Messi v Belgium, would be awesome at some point in the KO stage.
Not sure how this was calculated though 14.2% - Based on our World Cup predictor, Opta give Brazil the highest chance of winning the 2018 World Cup (14.2%), followed by Germany (11.4%). Probability. pic.twitter.com/TKDTdilCqk— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 1, 2017