Had to leave off a few sides due to polling limitations.
Who will win the World Cup ?
- Thread starter Raoul
- Start date
I chose "Brazli"
Spain certainties
Think it's Argentina's year. I am surprised at how many people are writing off Spain though, to go in as 4th favourites given their squad and their recent record seems strange to me.
I think Geography will play heavily into who does well; nearly as much as relative squad strengths.
I think so too. I have to say though I just don't share the view that Germany have a better squad than Spain, and don't get why Germany are ahead of them with the bookies.
Possibly because Xavi and Iniesta's best days are behind them? Not sure why else they wouldn't be favorites.
Could be that yeah. Maybe people are placing more importance in the Confederations Cup defeat than I am too, or maybe they're just tired of Spain, but Germany have a lot of problems themselves - every top team in the tournament does actually I think. For Germany I'd say the amount of injuries their centre midfielders have had might cost them.
Absolutely.
Correct me if I am wrong, but there have been 4 WCs prior to this in SAM with all 4 being won by SAM nations.
Brazil have a very balanced team with a couple of genuine match winners and the best defender in the world to stop the opposition ones. Think they will see this one through.
Am thinking France, Italy or Portugal.. Undecided.. Leaning on Portugal..
I don't agree with iniestas best days behind him. Xavi didn't have the best season before the last euros either, but still managed to raise himself during the tournament. Even if neither are as good as they were before I cant really think of any club or country that they would not be starting for. They are judged at a different standard to every other midfielder.
England, obviously.
so far, the majority agree with me!!!
so far, the majority agree with me!!! Who's voting for England?I reckon it'll be Germany. As long as it isn't Spain I'll be happy though, them winning everything is getting a little bit boring now. Hopefully De Gea and Mata do well though.
Brazil
Spain
Chile
Spain
Chile
I tipped for Brazil, as they have the home advantage, have a great young squad, and is led by experienced Scolari. Tipping Argentina, Spain, and Germany as secondary favorites.
1. Some people reading too much into the Confederations Cup defeat.
2. Xavi ageing. Iniesta is still close to his prime though, and almost always delivers for Spain.
3. "Tiki-taka is dead" nonsense.
4. Overrating of both Germany and Argentina.
Mind you they were not much favoured before/during the previous three tournaments.
So England have nearly as many votes as Argentina and Brazil combined.
I'm going with Italy as the potential dark horse for this one. Even France can make that claim, actually, but my loyalties lie with the Azzuri. Brasil/Argentina to make the final along with Italy/France and Germany/Spain/Netherlands for the third place. Hope England get absolutely thrashed by us and are knocked out in the group stages.
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Bosnia
In all seriousness, I'm guessing Argentina. Germany I think are the most complete and in form player wise, maybe strongest team, but I feel like they won't reach expectations. Think brazil will crumble under the pressure too, and I have my doubts if Spain will get further then quarter finals. I think both messi and Ronaldo will have good tournaments and bring both Argentina and Portugal far, we'll see just how far.
In all seriousness, I'm guessing Argentina. Germany I think are the most complete and in form player wise, maybe strongest team, but I feel like they won't reach expectations. Think brazil will crumble under the pressure too, and I have my doubts if Spain will get further then quarter finals. I think both messi and Ronaldo will have good tournaments and bring both Argentina and Portugal far, we'll see just how far.
Don't think they have the same motivation as before, can see them being complacent in the group. We'll see but I think their best option would be to make thiago and koke key players in his World Cup, same with the other young players like carvajal, de gea (though he won't), etc.. Not sure how costa will do in a tiki taka style either.
The main problem for Spain in my mind will possibly be fatigue. Virtually all of their players play for the biggest and strongest European sides that challenge more or less on all fronts each season, and especially during this one (race to the end for La Liga, all Spanish CL final)
Starting both Koke and Thiago would probably mean benching both Xavi and Iniesta, and I am not sure that that is a really good idea. If Xavi is not up to the task physically, then Koke (or maybe even Thiago could be utilized) but Iniesta remains Spain's main man. In any case, Spain's quality and depth in midfield is beyond the wildest dreams of any other NT. Maybe some questions could be asked about the RB position, but still Azpilicueta, Carvajal and Juanfran are non-too-shabby options to have. Costa is not the smoothest there is, but still, Atletico are not the park-the-bus merchants they are made out to be by some. They can very well move the ball around as was witnessed in their big encounters in the league, against Barcelona in the CL, as well as Chelsea. And Diego Costa delivered for them. Now, how can he fit into Spain's national set-up and how much he has still left in the tank, is another matter.
I genuinely think Spain will do it again, hope I'm wrong though. We need another team.
If I had a free £100 bet to place it would spent £80 on Argentina and £20 on Messi to be top scorer looking at their group they could run riot and if they do Messi could be hooligan in chief.
Head says it will be Argentina....but my heart hopes for England
Heart says Belgium, and I don't really listen to my head this early in the morning anyway!
Voted for Brazil. They have a fair few things going in their favour : strength of their squad which is Top 3 IMO in terms of depth and quality, relative struggles of favourites Spain and Germany including some declining stalwarts, weather conditions which may work against the European teams and a massive factor in home field advantage - statistically 32% of host nations go on to lift the trophy although the percentage has declined in recent years but still. The Brazilian populace is peerless in it's love for football and will be really up, seeking atonement for the loss to Uruguay in 1950 and land the Hexa on home soil.
Think we'll see a real shock this year. As in Greece 2004.
Brazil. Not the best team or squad in terms of personnel but they'll win it.
Head says it will be Argentina....but my heart hopes for England
Who not the US?
Brazil or Spain. Spain have a better squad but Brazil have good players themselves and the crowd. Plus they are due a WC win again!
I chose the safe option with Germany but I fancy Italy and France as the dark horses, as well.
Spain should be figured out by everyone by now. I hope so, at least.
Brazil and Argentina do not convince me with their squads. I'm not writing them off, obviously but I wouldn't bet on either of them.
Spain should be figured out by everyone by now. I hope so, at least.
Brazil and Argentina do not convince me with their squads. I'm not writing them off, obviously but I wouldn't bet on either of them.
Germany or Spain,
I went with Germania simply because Spain (as bloody damn well good as they are, their bubble is due to burst)!
Germania always turn it up a notch for the tournaments! Ruthless efficiency!! World class players in every single position!
I went with Germania simply because Spain (as bloody damn well good as they are, their bubble is due to burst)!
Germania always turn it up a notch for the tournaments! Ruthless efficiency!! World class players in every single position!
I'm going for Argentina. Wouldn't that be something, doing it in Brazil.
Portugal V Germany final. Germany wins.
Hard to rule out Spain of course, but they don't look the same team they were. At some point they went from 80% & 100 chances per game to 80% possession and 5 chances per game. A lot will depend on whether Costa clicks for them, since he gives them something very different from what they have otherwise.
Brazil of course will have a huge advantage, but imo this is the 'worst' Brazil squad at a World Cup since 1990 (when was the last time you saw such average strikers in a Brazil squad?). I think a noble semi-final defeat is the best they could hope for.
Argentina will be very dangerous as Messi and Aguero have clicked for them in recent years - but both players have come off mediocre seasons by their standards due to form (Messi) or niggling injuries (both). They're the difference makers so it largely depends on how they perform.
Italy, Holland, Columbia and Chile all have an outsider's chance but its hard to fancy them to win it.
My guess is that this could be Germany's year.
Brazil of course will have a huge advantage, but imo this is the 'worst' Brazil squad at a World Cup since 1990 (when was the last time you saw such average strikers in a Brazil squad?). I think a noble semi-final defeat is the best they could hope for.
Argentina will be very dangerous as Messi and Aguero have clicked for them in recent years - but both players have come off mediocre seasons by their standards due to form (Messi) or niggling injuries (both). They're the difference makers so it largely depends on how they perform.
Italy, Holland, Columbia and Chile all have an outsider's chance but its hard to fancy them to win it.
My guess is that this could be Germany's year.
No votes for Colombia yet? I think they're going to surprise a few people.
They beat a very confident Belgium 0-2 without breaking a sweat a few months ago. If Falcao can get fit in time, they are the dark horse for me.
Didn't they also top the group of SA? Or did I dream that?
They beat a very confident Belgium 0-2 without breaking a sweat a few months ago. If Falcao can get fit in time, they are the dark horse for me.
Didn't they also top the group of SA? Or did I dream that?
I'll go with Brazil although i'm concerned about the lack of big personalities in their squad. The pressure from the fans and press on this team will be immense and i don't know how they'll react if a game in the knock out phases doesn't go their way. But they do have a pretty good team, a manager who has won the cup before, the easiest route to the final (possible opponents and far less traveling), they play at home and i can't recall when was the last time a big ref call when against them in a WC.
Since no European team has won the WC on SA soil, the second choice would be Argentina. Their attacking options are incredible, but unfortunately they can't start them all. Their defense's 2/4 are rather weak and their GKs are not top level. Plus i i have watched them several times and i still can't understand what their plan is in the midfield. Where will Di Maria play for instance? And when your best DM is Mascherano of 2014 i'd say that serious problems are ahead. They can progress but only if they find a way to always score one more than they concede... And they are going to concede many goals.
From Europe:
Germany: Probably the team with the most chances to go all the way. Strong team, fast in the midfield and with many big players,like Schweinsteiger and Lahm at their peak. Their starting xi have played many games together. They are always there, either it is the WC or the EC, but Spain's dominance has deprived them of the chance to win a trophy. Their major problem is Low, who only has one tactic in his mind, so they'll be on the auto pilot throughout the tournament.
Spain: The players who won them everything since 2008 seem to be out of form. From their midfield of Busquets, Xavi, Alonso only the latter had a good season. Iniesta seems to be "lost" under Tata and Pique's season can be decribed as average at best. Still, they are "lucky" regarding 2 of their major problems. Azpi is a great choice at RB, so Ramos will play as CB and nullify the absence of Puyol. And Diego Costa is a massive boost in their offense. It's a big deal when you can start with the best forward in the world, right now, especially when your other options are Torres and Villa. On paper they have the best defense and keeper. I also think that if Barca win the title, it will be a major lift up for all these players who are the backbone of the national team.
Dark Horses:
Italy: Who can write them off? Juventus' defense, a play maker of Pirlo's caliber, De Rossi and Montolivo-Marchisio in the midfield and plenty of attacking options. Players who can follow several tactics and have strong survival instincts (others call it defend like your like depends on it).
Holland: They have the best manager in the tournament. My major concern is that Snejder and RvP aren't in good form, so they'll depend highly on Robben to make things happen. And my, how many youngsters are in the squad and the starting xi? Far too many i'd say...
France: I saw their squad and it's quite good (especially now that Nasri, the personification of bad Karma, is out). Pogba, Cabaye and Matuidi are a physical trio, good on the ball and can offer many runs in the midfield with or without the ball. Varane and Mangala are good CBs and Benzema had a very good season. Ribery's form is an issue, but they seem like a pretty balanced squad. Good thing for them is that the expectations, back at home, are not high.
Since no European team has won the WC on SA soil, the second choice would be Argentina. Their attacking options are incredible, but unfortunately they can't start them all. Their defense's 2/4 are rather weak and their GKs are not top level. Plus i i have watched them several times and i still can't understand what their plan is in the midfield. Where will Di Maria play for instance? And when your best DM is Mascherano of 2014 i'd say that serious problems are ahead. They can progress but only if they find a way to always score one more than they concede... And they are going to concede many goals.
From Europe:
Germany: Probably the team with the most chances to go all the way. Strong team, fast in the midfield and with many big players,like Schweinsteiger and Lahm at their peak. Their starting xi have played many games together. They are always there, either it is the WC or the EC, but Spain's dominance has deprived them of the chance to win a trophy. Their major problem is Low, who only has one tactic in his mind, so they'll be on the auto pilot throughout the tournament.
Spain: The players who won them everything since 2008 seem to be out of form. From their midfield of Busquets, Xavi, Alonso only the latter had a good season. Iniesta seems to be "lost" under Tata and Pique's season can be decribed as average at best. Still, they are "lucky" regarding 2 of their major problems. Azpi is a great choice at RB, so Ramos will play as CB and nullify the absence of Puyol. And Diego Costa is a massive boost in their offense. It's a big deal when you can start with the best forward in the world, right now, especially when your other options are Torres and Villa. On paper they have the best defense and keeper. I also think that if Barca win the title, it will be a major lift up for all these players who are the backbone of the national team.
Dark Horses:
Italy: Who can write them off? Juventus' defense, a play maker of Pirlo's caliber, De Rossi and Montolivo-Marchisio in the midfield and plenty of attacking options. Players who can follow several tactics and have strong survival instincts (others call it defend like your like depends on it).
Holland: They have the best manager in the tournament. My major concern is that Snejder and RvP aren't in good form, so they'll depend highly on Robben to make things happen. And my, how many youngsters are in the squad and the starting xi? Far too many i'd say...
France: I saw their squad and it's quite good (especially now that Nasri, the personification of bad Karma, is out). Pogba, Cabaye and Matuidi are a physical trio, good on the ball and can offer many runs in the midfield with or without the ball. Varane and Mangala are good CBs and Benzema had a very good season. Ribery's form is an issue, but they seem like a pretty balanced squad. Good thing for them is that the expectations, back at home, are not high.