No change. Just as I expected so far 1. Brazil 2. Argentina 3. France 4. Spain 5. Netherlands 6. Switzerland 7. Senegal 8. Japan Liked much of what I saw from the Dutch. Not enough to move them up the rankings but I think there will be some shuffling tomorrow.
Not really. I am ranking the teams based on the info on hand which is not equally distributed. Only two teams have played four games. How the remaining teams handle the pressure will affect how I rank them . So while I expect the teams in my rankings to advance, the performance is important. I won't know that until I see them play . As new info becomes available then rankings would change. Also, there are unknowns. For example, I am not sure of Neymar's ankle so that would have an effect.
Based on what? They were the 2nd highest ranked team in the group and most expected them to make it out. I’m fine losing to the Dutch. They’re a better team even though they’re one of the better matchups for us. I think the frustration is because the performance yesterday didn’t match the rest of the tournament.
England had been under the pressure, this formation and style does not work. Easy to stifle, Senegal needs to take their chances.
1. France 2. Brazil 3. Argentina 4. Spain 5. Netherlands 6. England 7. Switzerland 8. Japan Well, France look the business with mbappe looking menacing so they take top spot. Coupled with uncertainty over Neymar, they have to be overwhelming favorites at this point. England surprised me, not surprised they won but they were commanding in their win. Southgate got his lineup spot on.
Bellingham not even 19 and a half yet but already looks a complete midfielder either as a 6/8 or an 8/10 like tonight. Rice / Henderson help enable the performance. Kid looks like a generational talent. In addition to his key role in first two goals, it is his off the ball movement that moves the defence to create space for Foden / Saka on the 3rd. Foden great also and Saka finish was class. Was the right combo for this game - but we will never know if that was the intention from Southgate (who may have selected his favourite Sterling if he had not had to return home a few hours before the game owing to robbery). Roy Keane was gushing over Bellingham - and Roy Keane doesn’t gush …. 🗣️ Roy Keane on Jude Bellingham.🤔 Is he England's key player?#FIFAWorldCup | #ENG | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/rdvwB9tPNI— oddschecker (@oddschecker) December 4, 2022
All the teams are defensive in one sense or the other with the exception of Brazil when they have Neymar. Brazil have the only team where the best defense is a strong offense. Netherlands are playing 3 CBs and the football has been described as boring by their press. LvG calls it winning football. I think they will win the WC, but it depends on whether Neymar returns strong. Brazil also play 2 DMs. They look less confident getting forward without Neymar. France have a lot of pace up front. They seem to perform better when the opposition is drawn out and there is space to get in behind. Spain keep the ball well, but tend to keep the ball for the sake of it. They lack attacking width (where are the crosses?) and a scoring threat (Morata is not a great scorer). Portugal and Argetina tend to be very conservative and defensive as well. Leo and Cristiano reduce their teams to 10 men. They have produce goals to justify their roles. IMO a real coach would play both from the bench, not the starting eleven. England are certainly weak at CB. Maybe Maguire and Stones get the job done, but Tomori knows Giroud best from their time together at Milan. I have doubts they can cope with Giroud, nevermind Mbappe who they stand no chance against. Imo France/Netherlands/Brazil final. Netherlands/Brazil to win. Neymar or van Dijk for golden ball. Mbappe for golden boot.
Not sure I would call Netherlands boring. Game against the US was exciting. But agree mostly on the Brazil France final. Unsure right now about the Dutch chances
I give Netherlands a very small chance. There midfield cant hang with the bigger teams. They struggled to control the middle of the pitch in almost every game. De Jong gets too isolated. US ran their midfield ragged in the first half and the US midfield is very, very average. That and they dont have the offense to carry them like theyve had in the past. Gakpo has been excellent but guys like Depay, Bergwijn, and Klaasen arent scaring anyone. Also, can we all just acknowledge that VVD has been pretty awful this season? Hes been pretty poor for Pool and hasnt been that impressive for Netherlands so far this tournament. You would have to say favorites right now are Brazil and France by a pretty wide margin. I thought Argentina and England had outside chances coming into the tournament but both have been pretty average. I think if Neymar is healthy its theirs to lose. That defense has barely broken a sweat outside of the blip at the end of the Senegal game.
I see Ronaldo has another rift with a coach because he threw another hissy fit after being subbed. I know hes a United legend, but I'm, so sick of this guy. Hes declining rapidly and hes the only one that cant see it.
The coach clarified that he had a row with the Korean player for talking shit while he was coming off.
Japan with one of the worst PK shootouts i have seen in a while. That was truly horrible. As if they never took PKs in training.
It looks like they were playing for PK after it's 1-1... i was thinking they must have something up their sleeve with PKs... and then wtf was that.... Yoshida takes the fourth one.. wtf