Which Teams Will Surprise and Which Teams Will Disappoint in Russia?

I will wait for the draw to make my official predictions. Everything depends on match ups and how potential knockout stage brackets look.

 

I agree with you 100%. However, regardless of the draw, I think Argentina is going to have a disappointing tournament. They've become too reliant on Messi, their other stars (Aguero, Higuain, Dybala, etc.) haven't been performing well for the national team, and they lack depth. I can't see them getting past the QFs, maybe even R16.

 

I'd venture to say most Argentina fans would be thrilled with a Quarter-Finals run based on the last few years actually but who knows. Argentina is still Argentina.

 

That Group tripped up most of us (Myself included) but the other Groups I pretty much guessed correctly.

 

So what are your picks?

 

Still very difficult for me while not knowing who they are playing.
But maybe others can predict.

 

Good questions. I have said in other threads that I am trying to keep an open mind. But I think many others here have their selections.

 

My 2014 picks were okay, but certainly not great. I did however pick Algeria as the team I thought would suprise. When I looked at their starting 11 I remember thinking this is a pretty damn solid team. I had no idea they could fight Germany as well as they did though. I agree with Homie, it's best to wait for the draw, but why not give it a go anyway.

Iran is one team I'd like to see their draw first. The only thing I can say confidently about their team is, you know with Queiroz at the helm and with the style they have adapted and our now fully accustomed with, they are a team that no one will have an easy time with but they will also not beat up anyone. So if Iran gets a favourable draw I can see them surprising many people forsure.

I think Argentina will disappoint, they have just looked disjointed and even though Sampaoli has had success, maybe him and Argentina just don't mix well. That being said they certainly have fire power and if they can click then watch out. I just don't see it happening in time.

So Iran to suprise, Argentina to disappoint.

 

Are you sure about that?

 

Great thread.
I really believe Iran will do the Algeria thing at this upcoming World Cup.
Algeria were decent at the 2010 World Cup then played as closely the role of giantkillers at the 2014 World Cup, which was by far the toughest set of opponent for Germany the eventual winner in South America.
What drove Algeria even more is that they had indomitable spirit on the pitch which gave Germany a scare that made them 'dazed and confused' as we saw most of German players in that game as like they forgot how to play football.
I see both Iran and Algeria had something in common, both are proud and passionate football-mad nations.
Iran were decent at the 2014 World Cup, they made the Argentinians completely sweated in their game against them, we saw that they were a good side in terms of organization and fitness but inexperienced so I expect much improved at the 2018 World Cup and make the Round of 16 and whatever the opponent will be a tough game.
For disappoint, I pick Germany.
Germany do not play well after winning the title at least that what the history said, sometimes history repeats it self over and over again.
Germany were the pre-tournament favorites at the 1994 World Cup, they played some excellent friendlies before the World Cup, especially Lothar Matthaus regain his top form but the team were a subject of ego-battles in USA and some of the players did not played really well.
We saw some signs at the 2016 Euro with Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger, I expect even more at the 2018 World Cup.

 

Honestly, I feel something exceptional for Egypt in the next campaign.. maybe that's a quarter final, but I definitely predict a first 2nd round match in the history of Egypt.

Also, Morocco is probably gna do something which is at least a second round qualification!

I can't really put much stress on this one till the draw is held, but I kind of foresee a first time African quarter-final clash and a Russian grp stage exit!

Maybe Moroccan-Egyptian, Egyptian-Nigerian or Moroccan-Nigerian!

Anyways, Egypt, Morocco and Peru to surprise
(as a prediction of Nigerian quarter final qualification should really be a surprise as it's kind of expected from the CAF team who's 2nd most featured in WC especially it's been achieved by Cameroon and Ghana before)

and Brazil, Belgium and Russia to disappoint!

 

I am feeling the expectations are too high about Brazil and i don't see them going from a 7-1 and 3-0 at home to a world cup title in Russia.

They are good but i am not impressed.

I don't know where it will come from but i think favorites will be in trouble and we might have a new world champion or a 2nd world cup for a country that got only one.

The football changes. The usual powerhouses are not as scary for the others as they were before.

 

You're correct, even for me here in Egypt I am confident we can draw almost any team without any issues. But just bear in mind that Iran and Egypt are proper football teams after all, who've got a strong mature squad as well as great history in the game!

Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain or even France and Colombia could be much of a nightmare for some teams, e.g Panama or South Korea, to be drawn with!

 

I see a lot of "whistling in the dark" in this thread.

 

Surprise and dissapoint according to who?

Oddsmakers? Pundits? Fans?

I think other than maybe Panama, Saudi Arabia, and perhaps Tunisia every country will be aiming for the 2nd round. If they don't get there then that would be a dissapointment IMO.

So there will be a lot of dissapointments, unless of course you get a 2nd round aiming side in a GOD.

As for overrated

Poland, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay

Underrated

Morocco. I really think Morocco could be like last editions Algeria. They have a strong well rounded squad and a very good coach with a history of success.


For my team Nigeria 2nd round would be average and slightly dissapointing tbh. 1st round would be poor, unless we get Brazil and Spain

Quarter finals would be good as we have never reached there despite having good potentials.

 

Just looking at the winners of the last 2 world cups seems to indicate that it helps if the core group of a NT play for the same club:

2014: Bayern
2010: Barcelona

Also in 2006 the core of Italy were largely at one of two clubs: Milan or Juve.

I guess that bodes well for Brasil in 2018.

On the flip side, Spain's players seem to be spread across more clubs now than ever.

 

Will surprise:
1. Senegal
2. Saudi Arabia (setting new records)
3. Sweden

Will disappoint
1. South Korea (hope not but they have been in decline since 2012)
2. Mexico
3. Portugal

Iran will be playing a defensive fold hard to break an it is hardly a surprise.

 

I don't see Portugal with bernardo silva guedes cr7 and andre silva on the wings and front having a bad world cup.

Rui patricio Semedo pepe bruno alves guerreiro william carvalho adrien silva bernardo silva guedes andre silva cristiano.

They got one of the best squads in the tournament if they come without injured players.