So, you mean you think the Swiss will finish 3rd? Agree to disagree, but either way they are almost certainly going to advance on.
That hasn't stopped GoD headlines: "France joined by Senegal and Norway in group of death" FIFA rankings 3, 19, 29 and potentially 58 (or 76 or 123) ELO ranking 3, 24, 11, 49 (or 62 or 93)
The Swiss may finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. All 3 places have the same likelihood IMO. Qatar will finish last. That is the only certainty. The Swiss are good, but they aren't world beaters. Canada could definately beat them.
France versus Senegal is intriguing as it's a rematch from 2002 when Senegal shocked the defending champions (who finished dead last in their group without scoring a goal) enroute to the quarterfinals.
I disagree...I'd say England is probably 80:20 to win their group. Modric is 4 years older now, and Croatia got very lucky in the past two World Cups, winning four PK shootouts.
For me it can only be a GOD if all 4 teams are at least somewhat competitive. Especially in this format with 3rd place finishers advancing. Can't really be much of a GOD if no one actually "dies". But the France and England groups here are probably the closest to being one.
I can see us drawing against Croatia in the first game. If we win the group I don't like the idea of playing at altitude in the heat of Mexico City whether it is against Mexico or South Korea or anyone else. I expect that would tire our players out even if we win. Besides pessimism is the default state for England fans, we haven't won anything in my lifetime! I actually prefer the route should we finish 2nd in our group purely because of the venues.
I don't think Croatia justify their world ranking of 10th but they're still decent and will be at their best early on. Winning the group isn't the most important thing. Argentina didn't win their group last time. Edit: I meant that Argentina lost one of their group games. They did win their group.
It was the 50:50 to win the group I meant. As above I don't think Croatia are the team they were and we should be able to beat Panama and Ghana, although I fear Ghana the most. I'm quite happy because I'm out for the group stage and the games are interesting.
The games are interesting. Enjoy the trip. Apparently if we finish 2nd then Spain are the likely R16 opponents. It will be tough whoever we play, I just don't want to be moaning about the conditions if/when we get knocked out. If that has to happen, which it probably will, then I would rather it was down to great play by our opponent.
Even with a minnow, France, Norway and Senegal is pretty brutal. All three are very good to excellent teams.
The Swiss are very hot right now, though. I'd say it's more likely the Swiss win their match, specially if Alphonso Davies isn't at a 100%
Curaçao was one group away from being in Netherlands' group Group E was looking like a group of death with Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador but all three of them should advance if they beat Curaçao. Unrelated but I thought there were going to be more CONCACAF vs AFC matches due the increased numbers in both confederations but the only 3 matches between those confederations involve the hosts: * Mexico vs South Korea * Canada vs Qatar * USA vs Australia Group E (Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Curaçao) and Group I (France, Senegal, Noway, Play-off 2) winners will face each other in the R16 if they both beat their R32 opponents
I think Croatia can qualify from Group L. Afterall, 8 best 3rd placed teams advance, allowing for some slack. Not going to predict what happens afterwards because surprises in other groups do happen. Very happy for South Korea's draw, while the incomplete Japanese draw should be passable, given they kill giants as a matter of habit. France's group is the hardest of all.
Yeah. Plenty of interesting discussions and viewpoints on who will finish where in each group, but a relatively small percentage of games are actually interesting to watch IMO. For e.g. since I am travelling for the long Juneteenth weekend I checked to see what games would be fun to watch at a bar during my travels, and also weary of which big games I might miss because I will be on the highway. For those entire 4 days (18-21 June) there isn't a single match to get excited about or cause me any stress if I miss.
They should. While England at their best is an excellent team, we know how they underwhelm, while Panama and Ghana are not particularly strong (although I could see Ghana surprising someone).