World Cup 2022 - Preview and Group Matches Thread...

Van, that doesn't seem too bad considering how many losses there have been by quality teams thus far. I don't have any data to back it up, but if feels as though there were more upsets in Group Play this WC .
Heck, Japan sprung two upsets all on their own against Germany & Spain... And they did it by going down 1-0 in each of those matches. That is really hard to do in soccer.

I think Japan-Croatia is going to be one of the more intriguing match ups in this Round of 16.

Stay the course VanZ trust your process…You absolutely smacked those futures!! Congrats. 

Van - win big and we all go disco!

WC Record -0.33 units

Sunday

France / Poland

When France have had their first team on the field (first two matches against Australia and Denmark), they have been almost unplayable.  There are two types of speed that matter in soccer – speed (pace) of players, and speed of ball movement and decision making.  France is one of the rare sides that has both in spades, and this is what will spell doom for a Poland side that is not built to handle the blitz they should see on Sunday.

Interestingly, almost all of Poland’s recent struggles have come against teams similar – but not as good as – France.  Argentina, Mexico, Netherlands, Belgium have all either beaten or drew with Poland in 2022 – and they all have similar traits – speed of ball movement.  Poland’s back line will have runners zig zagging all match – and this should prove to be their undoing as France will finish enough to put a hurt on Poland.

Bad matchup for Poland here – they would favor a more tactical midfield battle but instead they get probably the best in the world at exactly what Poland don’t want to see. 

France -1.5 goals -102 (3 units) – Predicted Final Score France 3 Poland 0

England / Senegal

England come in to this one right where they expect to be – group winners and not being really fully stretched so far in their first three matches.  The weakness of this England team – and their eventual undoing – will be their defense.  Maguire, Stones, and Pickford are just not good enough to go their next 4 matches without critical errors – and their speed deficit will show up against better quicker sides.  I expect Southgate to consider putting a third CB in to help against Senegal – as they likely will believe they have enough up front to put in a more defensive line with their wingbacks (either Trippier or Walker and Shaw) given the freedom to do a lot of running up and down the wings.

Senegal are without one of the world’s best players coming in to the tournament (Mane), but they are also quietly without two of their next best players in Kouyate and Idrissa Gueye.  They have struggled giving up chances and goals so far in their first three matches – allowing at least a goal in all three – in one of the weakest groups in the tournament.  They will be defending a lot in this one – and their tendency to lose focus for periods of time will be problematic against the speed of Foden, Sterling, Saka etc in this one.

Just too much firepower on England here against a depleted Senegalese side.

England -1 -108 (2 units) – Predicted Final Score England 3 Senegal 1

Love that shit, VZ!!!

@vanzack

 hahahha mr zack...france have lost momentum..think nfl...poland running into form and will be desperate to get at the french...well im celtic so i dont support england...well not true when its good for the ecoonomy ill support them till the semis...but england look all over the place...scored all their goals in one game...senegal look big and mean...now...bunch of namby pamby white geezers against a bunch of snarling well african teams..im on the africans every time

wkaka waka ya bass...

also any chance of a prty in the usa...

hannah montata ...elway yer a prick...is not the same person as milay cyrus...little girls dont grow up like that..they just dont...im a grandad..i should know...o i ..mortgage..

shit..evita evita evita peron..lend us a tenner...

chucky orla

glens ya bass

See my thread for a reminder of what favorites actually do in the Round of 16. The answer is, okay. They do okay.

The value is on the dogs.

Nailed it Vanzack… Nice 3 Unit Banger Brotha.  

Stay hot BL…

@vanzack...man I had France to finish 3-0 too. That was kinda ridiculous at the end of the game. At least my -1.5 and to win by 2 goals still came thru. Really appreciate all of your write ups in all sports...but esp soccer and world cup. Been a long time follower of this site...never post or comment...but I felt like had to give some thanks to you man. Good luck rest of the tourney.

World Cup Record:  +4.67 units

Japan / Croatia

Japan have had a weird trip.  Beating Spain and Germany, and losing to Costa Rica.  That almost seems impossible.  In the two matches against Spain and Germany, they did what they do best – defend and counter attack – having only 18% (Spain) and 26% (Germany) possession, but winning both on clinical finishing on the counter.  Against Costa Rica – they were forced to be the protagonist – and it just doesn’t suit them.

Croatia will come in to this one happy to be the team with 60+% possession – as this is what they do and want to do.  Known for their strong midfield and possession based build up – Croatia hasn’t scored in 2 of their 3 group games (Belgium and Morocco) – and is finding chances hard to come by averaging a meager 1.2XG per game.

I see Japan hanging around, and this one will likely be the first match to go to extra time.

Japan +.5 -123 (3 units) – Predicted Final Score 1-1 and maybe penalties

Brazil / S Korea

Brazil comes in lighting it up – as expected – but maybe in a different way than expected – through defense.  In their first 5 halves of the World Cup, they allowed zero shots on goal.  That is almost impossible, but the first shot on goal against them came in the second half against Cameroon.  Brazil have injury concerns though – as Gabriel Jesus and Alex Telles are out, and Neymar is a question still but could be available. 

Brazil have been wasteful in front of net, compiling an XG number of 6.0 but only scoring 3 goals.  But their defense has been so good that it hasn’t really affected them – although I did notice in the match against Switzerland that they were bothered over and over in the middle of the pitch while in possession.  A worry – but not necessarily in a match when they will have a real edge in the midfield against S Korea.

S Korea just doesn’t have the defense to hang for 90 minutes in a knockout situation with Brazil.  Brazil beat S Korea back in June in a friendly 5-1, and while I understand the Brazilian lack of scoring so far – they certainly are likely to get at least 2 on the board in this one and I don’t favor S Korea to score.

Brazil -1.5 -120 (2 units) Predicted final score Brazil 3-0

Its not bad.  Just not as good as I expect.  But still 11 games to go....

Thanks Wolfeman!

Really appreciate this.

Looking good so far in KO round, Van.  5 units on Sunday. 

Double up on Monday.   Plays look solid. 

I personally think that Croatia will find a way to make a deep run, despite Lukaku snuffing it out in one-half of soccer. 

* I should say "almost"

@vanzack

 I echo aphillyation sentiment.Long time reader.Thanks for sharing your knowledge!Good luck the rest of the World Cup ?? ?????

Nailed the games today. Good shit van

1. Brazil vs Germany (Group A)
Brazil have been considered favourites since they won the 2014 World Cup. However, their recent performances haven't been great. Their defence has been poor and they've conceded many goals. On top of that, Neymar's injury means he'll miss the tournament.
Germany beat Argentina 2-0 in the last round. They're known for their strong footballing style and fast paced game. They're currently ranked number 1 in the world and are looking to win the cup for the second time.
2. Belgium vs Mexico (Group B)
Belgium are a team who play good football. They're known for having a solid defence and scoring lots of goals. They're currently ranked third in the world.
Mexico are a team who play well together and have a lot of pace. They're known for being able to score goals at any moment. They're currently ranked sixth in the world.
3. Sweden vs South Korea (Group C)
Sweden are a team who play attractive football. They're known to have a good passing game and use possession well. They're currently ranked fourth in the world.
South Korea are a team who play exciting football. They're known as a team who can score goals at any moment and play well as a unit. They're currently ranked fifth in the world.
4. Switzerland vs England (Group D)
England are a team who play entertaining football. They're known by their high pressure tactics and quick counter attacks. They're currently ranked seventh in the world.
Switzerland are a team who play defensive football. They're known not to concede many goals and play well as a team. They're currently ranked eighth in the world.
5. France vs Colombia (Group E)
France are a team who play fun football. They're known mainly for their attacking style of play. They're currently ranked ninth in the world.

@vanzack

 Great call on the first match going to O.T.I bet it at +225.Again Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Great call on the Japan/Croatia game....predicted it to a T! Unreal man. 

Croatia barely got by today.  Going to be tough against Brazil.

@chamoinla

@Skanless1

Appreciate this a lot.