Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?

Germany have an experienced defence and midfield, though at full-back they're a tad short and in midfield, one has to question whether the likes of Kroos/Ozil will have the same intensity as yesteryear. Sane and Werner will be key if they're to win.. but lets be honest here, it is ridiculously hard to win back to back world cups.. even Spain couldn't manage it and the last team to pull it off is Brazil in 1962. Due to the statistical improbability of them pulling it off, I don't think it is going to be them.. solid team though, definite QF's - anything less than Semi's is a dissappointment.. after that anything could happen.

France - most talented team in the competition for me, but they have a very poor manager in charge who makes strange decisions and lacks imagination. It is rare you see a hopeless manager in charge of a top side and win a major international competition, so for me.. they'll probably take the breath away in patches, become everyone's favourite team only for it to end in glorious failure. This team can be the total footballing side of the World Cup and Mbappe will shine IMO.

Brazil.. for some reason whenever I watch them, they still don't get the pulse racing bar Neymar. It is because they lack class in the CM positions and it means the wingers/attackers have to drop deep and playmake, which means a slow ponderous tempo. Brazil being Brazil, you can never rule them out and they do have history of grinding wins out on the back of great individual performances but I think QF/SF is max they can go.

Argentina.. people didn't think they could get to the final in 2014, but Messi somehow grinded them towards the final and I think the support staff, the manager and Messi himself are better than in 2014 IMO. Very unpredictable side, they could be downright awful and get knocked out in group stage but I just can't see Messi letting his last chance of glory getting away from him with a whimper. I think they'll surprise a lot of people.

Spain.. just a very strong strong outfit. They'll never hit the heights of the tiki taka side led by Xavi, but they're just so damn competent and experienced. They'll dominate any given game they take part in, and I can't see how a side like Argentina would beat them even with Messi.. finalists. Big issue for them is sheer lack of goal threat. Games involving them will generally be very tight.
 
A South American team hasn't won a World Cup in Europe since 1958 but I do fancy either Brazil or Argentina.

I'm more interested in seeing how Russia do. Amazingly convenient that they got such an easy group. I expect them to get to the quarter finals at the very least.
 
PeteManic said:
A South American team hasn't won a World Cup in Europe since 1958 but I do fancy either Brazil or Argentina.

I'm more interested in seeing how Russia do. Amazingly convenient that they got such an easy group. I expect them to get to the quarter finals at the very least.
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They looked quite awful against Brazil. We basically defended with 3 players only and they couldn’t create anything
 
PeteManic said:
A South American team hasn't won a World Cup in Europe since 1958 but I do fancy either Brazil or Argentina.

I'm more interested in seeing how Russia do. Amazingly convenient that they got such an easy group. I expect them to get to the quarter finals at the very least.
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I highly doubt Russia will reach the Quarters. This is a really poor generation of players, Cherchesov is not a good manager other than maybe as a motivator and there is no depth in the squad. Other than Akinfeev, the few players with above average talent(Golovin, Miranchuk brothers, Smolov, maybe Kuzyaev) are almost all either just prospects with barely more than a season's good play under their belt or have little to no tournament experience.

We're really seeing the results since 2012 of only doing a bare minimum to sort out an efficient nation wide football infrastructure when the money became available to do so in the early 2000s.Russian football with it's poor attendance and waning public interest after years of post-soviet underachieving(and recently just outright embarassing performances by the NT) is at a real crossroads moment these past few years imo, a poor performance could be the catalyst needed for improvement, Putin is no football man but won't like domestic humilation, however another bad few years and tournaments could be devastating long-term. We're in a position somewhat comparable to where Hungary were in the mid-late 80s.
 
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Argentina, because I've bet on them.

But seriously, I think this is one of the most open World Cups I've ever seen. Germany, Spain and Brazil will be favourites but I think there are another 4/5 teams that could all easily win it with a bit of luck (a la Portugal in the last Euros or Italy in the 2006 WC). I've even got a feeling England could win it!
 
strongwalker said:
4 finals won, 4 finals lost

Only because we were cheated in '66 :D And give it some time... i can remember when Bayern didn'T have the most BuLI titles... Nürnberg had. All in good time, all in good time.

The CF cup was won by Germany B

pfff we had to bring Mustafi as a replacement for Reus :p
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There have been more then 8 world cups. Confedarations Cup was won by Germany. We will see in the summer, I expect Germany far but not winning.
 
Brazil. They have a very solid defence, held up by two of the best DM in the world in Fernandinho & Casermiro. Then with the trickery of Neymar, Coutinho, Jesus, Firminho, Willian or Costa up front they have the fire power to score as well.
 
It will be between Germany, Brazil and Spain - none of the other teams stand a single chance. On paper France are great, but they are not gelling like they should to be best and Deschamps isn’t bringing the goods. You do need a machine to win, as well as individual brilliance, the above three have it. Belgium also have a great team, but the same questions begs for the manager and lack of cohesion. Lukaku probably not the right fit for such a technical crowd behind him when the going gets tough, and when they aren’t playing Saudi Arabia and Cyprus.

For what it’s worth, Spain at odds 8 is value for money - whilst Brazil/Germany at 5 and 5.5 isn’t.

Teams like Argentina, Portugal, Croatia, Uruguay and England have absolutely no chance. Argentina are cursed and are showing bad results, the rest just does’t have enough good players. Sorry England, you’re not winning the WC with Southgate at the helm, whilst fielding Henderson, Oxlade, Alli, Pickford, Lallana etc.
 
  1. Spain
  2. Germany
  3. Brazil
  4. France
The clear top 4 for me. Argentina probably 5th because of Messi and a dark horse but I don't think they're capable, too shite without him. France too inconsistent despite the squad, success more reliant on just how much Mbappe can do rather than griezmann or pogba IMO. Brazil good overall, germany good overall with cutting edge now (which they lacked in recent years) same with spain.
 
SCP said:
Didn't watched our last match hopefully?
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No. As soon as I heard Cancelo, Bruno Alves and other unfit players were in the team I lost interest. But I'm pretty sure that at our best and without some of those players we will do well.

I'd play Ricardo as RB not because he plays for Porto but because he is imo the best rb. Cedric is tidy but a bit limited. Semedo has good tools but mentally not yet very stable.

My team would be:

Patrício

Ricardo/Cedric Pepe Fonte Guerreiro

Moutinho William/Danilo

Bernardo Bruno Gelson

Ronaldo


Pace with Gelson, creativity and flair on the right with Bernardo, Moutinho and Bruno. Solid, intelligent midfield so the full backs can join the attack.
 
broccoli said:
No. As soon as I heard Cancelo, Bruno Alves and other unfit players were in the team I lost interest. But I'm pretty sure that at our best and without some of those players we will do well.

I'd play Ricardo as RB not because he plays for Porto but because he is imo the best rb. Cedric is tidy but a bit limited. Semedo has good tools but mentally not yet very stable.

My team would be:

Patrício

Ricardo/Cedric Pepe Fonte Guerreiro

Moutinho William/Danilo

Bernardo Bruno Gelson

Ronaldo


Pace with Gelson, creativity and flair on the right with Bernardo, Moutinho and Bruno. Solid, intelligent midfield so the full backs can join the attack.
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Check my tactical lineup in the portuguese football thread, only thing I can add is I give up, if Santos only knows how to play defensively better lineup with William and Danilo at the same time, we have to play low block against Spain with the 2 at the same time, won't care if nobody likes, we can't play open with them.
 
I think the winner will be one of these countries: France, Brazil, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Portugal, Belgium, Colombia, Uruguay, England
 
Spain or Germany because of their experience, balance and relatively recent experiences of doing well in tournaments. I can't see Belgium or France winning with their managers.
 
Oscar.Z.Acosta said:
Argentina, because I've bet on them.

But seriously, I think this is one of the most open World Cups I've ever seen. Germany, Spain and Brazil will be favourites but I think there are another 4/5 teams that could all easily win it with a bit of luck (a la Portugal in the last Euros or Italy in the 2006 WC). I've even got a feeling England could win it!
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What's the cash out like after last night?
 
Belgium looks absolutely ridiculous on paper with the likes of De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Lukaku, Alderweireld, Dembele and Nainggolan in their ranks, but their lack of international 'eritage makes people scoff at their chances. Might be a team to look out for.
 
rio's upper lip said:
Belgium looks absolutely ridiculous on paper with the likes of De Bruyne, Hazard, Courtois, Lukaku, Alderweireld, Dembele and Nainggolan in their ranks, but their lack of international 'eritage makes people scoff at their chances. Might be a team to look out for.
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the perpetual dark horses on paper but its true their squad has matured very well.

spain if i was betting
germany always look strong and improve into a tournament
brazil can destroy anyone on their day and the team im most excited to see.
england as my dark horses
 
Belgium will be the surprise package I reckon. Might bet e/w on them.
 
I would bet on Spain. If there is no bad moves, France should lost against Brazil and I think Spain will beat Germany
So final Brazil - Spain.

The first team seems to have no weakness in the 11 (maybe Alves ?), the good mentality and a strong tactic well-defined; but Spain even when the players look inferiors, have garned so much confidence and experience that i can't see them lost the final game. The Real Madrid NT.

Yess, they had a bit hole between 2014-2016 du to the lack of renewal of players and tactics. However, they now have made adjustments, brought younger players and unlike many others NT, the team is ready.

Plus they can use many different tactics depending on the progress of the game witch helps a lot:
- Against Germany for example, the team can choose possession-type tactics so they would turn the ball, moving the germans block, changing players position to look for space with no rush. Thanks to Isco, Busquets or Koke in particularly.
- Againt Brazil, I think it could be more a tactic based on direct attacks with the idea of being clinical as soon as they take back the possession. So Asensio, Vasquez or Saul would be more interesting.

Anyway both team seems large above the others, ready, full of players knowing each other, used to play together for the NT or clubs. Definitely favourites.

Germany, i would just say they seem to short and have some noticiable weaknesses in terms of quality of thr individualites (Draxler, Hector, Khedira) and the level of the team in general.
 
Can any Danish person or someone deep into their football tell me how their team plays?

This could be for gambling reasons... I know they have plenty of quality players like Christiansen, Eriksen, Sisto, Dolberg. But I checked their last games and some of these players don't start for them. I'm going to be on them going through onto the round of 16. So tell me why some of those players don't start, who are their best players, does their manager suck? Is there a rotten apple in the locker room, chemistry issues? Thanks =)
 
It definitely won't be England. And you can quote me on this.

France will succumb to the pressure of having the best team on paper. Spain to win it all. Peru in the quarter finals.
 
bebeanderson said:
Can any Danish person or someone deep into their football tell me how their team plays?

This could be for gambling reasons... I know they have plenty of quality players like Christiansen, Eriksen, Sisto, Dolberg. But I checked their last games and some of these players don't start for them. I'm going to be on them going through onto the round of 16. So tell me why some of those players don't start, who are their best players, does their manager suck? Is there a rotten apple in the locker room, chemistry issues? Thanks =)
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Overall, the mood around the national team is better than it has been in years, and we are currently on a streak of 13 games without defeat (a national team record). Particularly the 4-0 victory over Poland and 5-1 thrashing of Ireland has added a lot of confidence to the team. So the mood of the locker room is definitely good.

The main concern I have with the team is our offensive threat. Eriksen is obviously world class, but if he is not performing, we will not be very threatening. We are lacking a quality striker and right winger, and Pione Sisto can really blow hot and cold on the national team. We have a solid core though with Schmeichel in goal, Kjær and Christensen in defence and Delaney in midfield, so I believe we will be difficult to break down. Our two latest results (1-0 and 0-0) also indicate this.

Our group is not extremely difficult, so I would not put it past us to make it to the round of '16, and I think the more direct style implemented by Hareide could serve us well.
 
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Mike Smalling said:
Overall, the mood around the national team is better than it has been in years, and we are currently on a streak of 13 games without defeat (a national team record). Particularly the 4-0 victory over Poland and 5-1 thrashing of Ireland has added a lot of confidence to the team. So the mood of the locker room is definitely good.

The main concern I have with the team is our offensive threat. Eriksen is obviously world class, but if he is not performing, we will not be very threatening. We are lacking a quality striker and right winger, and Pione Sisto can really blow hot and cold on the national team. We have a solid core though with Schmeichel in goal, Kjær and Christensen in defence and Delaney in midfield, so I believe we will be difficult to break down. Our two latest results (1-0 and 0-0) also indicate this.

Our group is not extremely difficult, so I would not put it past us to make it to the round of '16, and I think the more direct style implemented by Hareide could serve us well.
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Thanks. So, you'd say you are a more defensive team?
 
Seriously I don't see why you guys dream so much about France but it's definitely not the best team on paper, it's not even the best attack on paper...

Defence: Lloris/ Hernandez(Mendy) - Varane (Kos) - Umtiti - Sidibé (Pavard)
- Lloris is not one of the best keeper in Europe. Don't get why Poch don't replace him.
- Hernandez/Sidibé: the 1st is actually a center back and the 2nd is average
- Varane is not so strong without Ramos. And in fact Pepe - Ramos was more solid than Varane - Ramos
- Umtiti. Fine but he makes some stupid faults sometimes (pen for example)

Midfield: Pogba, Matuidi, Tolisso, Rabiot, Kanté. A lot of talented subtop players but no standards or Top players. Most of people only refers to their imaginary potential and not the actual form of those players. Anyway only Kanté is a key player in the NT and in his club actually.

Attack: Lemar - Griezmann - Mbappe(Giroud) - Dembele
- Lemar is a wonderful player. Monaco will collect a huge amount.
- Dembele seems to find back his bvb level and improve his weaknesses. Still, he lacks of consistence.
- Griezmann, amazing but do not have the mental and is just used to disappear when the level and pressure are very high
- M'Bappé. Not used to play there anymore. Especially with a moving player like Griezmann. So perhaps a fixation point like Giroud is more Useful (a Falcao like i guess). Same things about Griezmann who plays with Costa in ATL

the coach: DD. I heard he has the same
number of defeats as Domenech. He will keep ruining the team until 2020 but the best potential on paper will probably become the best team on paper at that time.
 
bebeanderson said:
Thanks. So, you'd say you are a more defensive team?
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Yes, you could say that. I think we will definitely set up defensively against France and maybe even Peru, but probably seek to take the initiative against Australia (I would hope).

The style of play changed quite a bit when Åge Hareide took over from Morten Olsen in 2015. Olsen used to insist on playing possession football in a 4-3-3, which was a problem since we didn't really have the necessary quality in midfield to do that. The new, more direct style is much more suited to the qualities of our players.

I'm actually really looking forward to seeing this Denmark side compete in a WC. We might make it out of the group stage for the first time since the Euros in 2004.
 
Aurell said:
I would bet on Spain. If there is no bad moves, France should lost against Brazil and I think Spain will beat Germany
So final Brazil - Spain.

The first team seems to have no weakness in the 11 (maybe Alves ?), the good mentality and a strong tactic well-defined; but Spain even when the players look inferiors, have garned so much confidence and experience that i can't see them lost the final game. The Real Madrid NT.

Yess, they had a bit hole between 2014-2016 du to the lack of renewal of players and tactics. However, they now have made adjustments, brought younger players and unlike many others NT, the team is ready.

Plus they can use many different tactics depending on the progress of the game witch helps a lot:
- Against Germany for example, the team can choose possession-type tactics so they would turn the ball, moving the germans block, changing players position to look for space with no rush. Thanks to Isco, Busquets or Koke in particularly.
- Againt Brazil, I think it could be more a tactic based on direct attacks with the idea of being clinical as soon as they take back the possession. So Asensio, Vasquez or Saul would be more interesting.

Anyway both team seems large above the others, ready, full of players knowing each other, used to play together for the NT or clubs. Definitely favourites.

Germany, i would just say they seem to short and have some noticiable weaknesses in terms of quality of thr individualites (Draxler, Hector, Khedira) and the level of the team in general.
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Draxler isn’t even playing, Khedira isn’t set in stone either.

Also: too short? Are you kidding? :wenger:
 
Personally think it will be a Brazil vs Spain final.

Reckon both France & Germany will reach the semis.

Egypt will be the surprise package
 
Brazil or Spain, in that order. France to look tasty like the Dutch side of the late 1990s did, but likely to lack the mettle up top to get over the line.
 
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