WORLD CUP 2022 Preview & Picks Thread

@CygXanadu

@paletta007

GROUP E

1. Spain 2. Germany 3. Japan 4. Costa Rica

Spain and Germany are the favourites due to mostly brand name bias. I don't fancy either side to go far in Qatar. Germany has only 4 wins in the past 10 versus sides that are not at the tournament; Oman, Israel, Armenia & Italy. I don't trust their manager Flick, but they should have enough quality to qualify. Spain will be hurting my eyeballs again just like the last world cup where their only win came versus Iran 1-0 as they tried to pass the ball into the opponents opposition. No value in backing either side IMO.

Japan are sneaky good that will take some points away from the 2 big sides. They have only one loss in 2022 and that was 1-0 to Brazil. They have a plenty of great talent, Minamino, Kubo, Doan, Kamada, Tomiyasu etc. and its unfortunate that they were drawn into this group. I give them 4 or 5 points as they make life difficult for Germany and Spain

Costa Rica are led by old keeper Keylor Nevas and not much else. They had their runs in the past world cups but its too much to ask this time around. They lose all their games and finish bottom as the rebuild begins.

6. Costa Rica total points 0 @ 3.25/+225 (1u) Skybet

I agree DJ the Ticos are past news. I plan to fade Costa Rica. 

Best of luck DJ can’t wait to see Poland Vs Mexico game ! For sure will bet ! Leaving to Curaçao after that to run competition! I did run half marathon Bogota Colombia October 2 :)

Life is good !

All the best !

@szpak28

 nice to see you around always nice to escape to the Carib in the winter,all the best in your run. I hope you find some time to lounge there as well

@wolfeman3

GROUP F

1. Belgium 2. Croatia 3. Morocco 4. Canada

I have a feeling that one of the 2 fav's if not both could implode in this group. I do think that Morocco and/or Canada could advance out of the group. All the hopes for Canada will rest on the health of Alfonso Davies if he is ruled out like his teammate at Munich Sadio Mane its hello last place for the Canucks.

The dark horses Morocco are led by a new coach and the star duo Ziyech & Hakimi. I picked them in the African cup of Nations and they were crashed out early. They were perfect in their qualifiers and had a 20-1 goal differential. There is value on them to advance out of this group.

I put Belgium on top hesitantly. Is Lukaku fully healthy?. Hazard has barely played at Real Madrid. I keep thinking the Roberto Martinez era with the golden generation is about to end. On paper however this team is the class of the group.

It is hard to believe that Croatia will equal their great run at Russia 2018. They lack a clear cut number 1 keeper. The midfied is still world class with the likes of Kovavic, Brozovic and the older but still effective Luka Modric.

I'm expecting chaos in this group so I will be backing the dogs in individual matches

7. Morocco to advance @ 3.25/+225 (1u) Skybet

(I was going to add Canada to qualify as well at +300 but not without Davies)

1. Brazil 2. Switzerland 3. Serbia 4. Cameroon

Group G seems very straight forward to me as 3 of these sides met in the same group in 2018. Brazil drew the Swiss and both Brazil and the Swiss beat Serbia. I think Brazil is more improved if that sounds possible, and will top this group with ease. They are the rightful favourites to win the whole thing and a trip to the final 4 is in their future.

Serbia has only scored 2 goals in their last 3 world cups. There are injury concerns with Veljkovic & Lukic banged up. They should score with Mitrovic and Vlahovic up front so I will be looking to bet player props when they face Cameroon. The Swiss also have Embolo and Okafar who should also offer value in player props especially when facing Cameroon

Cameroon should finish bottom I don't think they stand a chance in this group. I do not have any futures bets in this group as I agree here with the books as there is a clear 1 & 4 with a coin flip for second place.

GROUP H

1. Portugal 2. Uruguay 3. Korea 4. Ghana

I have never been so high on Portugal as I am here. This team needs to get away from Ronaldo's shadow and I think that started at the Euros in which they won the final versus France without him. They also won the Nations league and I will back them to reach the final which they will lose to Argentina. FIFA's dream of Ronaldo versus Messi in both of their last world cups could be coming true. The duel fore cast of them and Uruguay to win the group does not pay enough and winning the group is not that much of incentive as both will face either Spain or Germany.

I don't expect Korea or Ghana to challenge the top 2 here. With Son's injury you never know if he'll be going into challenges at a 100%. Korea has had recent losses to Japan, The United Arab Emirates and they could not even beat Costa Rica. Ghana also has had some worrying results losing to Japan 4-1 drawing with the Central African Republic and losing to the Comoros Islands.

If you have multiple shops that you bet on I did bet heavy on Ghana to finish bottom at +110 & Korea to finish bottom at +125 to basically almost guarantee myself a profit but for the sake of this thread I will not post me trying to scalp prices.

Round of 16:

Netherlands beats USA

England beats Qatar

Argentina beats France

Denmark beats Poland

Spain beats Morocco

Belgium beats Germany

Brazil over Uruguay

Portugal over Switzerland

Quarterfinals

Brazil beats Spain

Argentina beats Netherlands

Portugal beats Belgium

Denmark beats England

Semifinals

Argentina beats Brazil

Portugal beats Denmark

3rd Place

Brazil beats Denmark

Finals

Argentina beats Portugal

Its odd how many of my predictions mirror the 1986 World Cup

- Last time Morocco advanced to rd 16 and lost

- Last time Poland advanced to rd 16 and lost

- Last time Argentina won the World Cup

- Last time Canada featured at the tournament

- Denmark won their Group

Good luck in the tournament, DJ !   I can't wait !

I think Spain will surprise folks (to the upside) , if that's even possible.  Many would be surprised to learn they tied for total goals in last year's Euros with Italy.  They still dominate possession, but Spain finds the net a lot more often than many years ago,  when 'tiki-taka' dominated their style.  I for one applaud their youth movement, and I think coach Enrique is fully embracing this posture, as well.  The days of Xavi, Pique and Ramos, etc.  are gone.  

@Rush51

 they are always a strong side but I think they lack identity this time around.

I loved their golden generation; Fernando Torres, Iniesta, Xavi, Ramos, Casillas, Pique,  Puyol,  Villa,  Fabregas, David Silva and my best player ever Xabi Alonso...no team comes close to that A squad in my life time.

Spain between 2008-2012 were the best team ever assembled no UEFA side will ever win the Euros, FIFA WC & the Euros back to back to back

It's also odd to see so many super stars most likely featuring in their last world cup;

Messi, Ronaldo, Modric, Lewandowski & Neuer

.....with the news of Sane out injured, Senegal are toast

8. Senegal to finish bottom @ 4.00/+300

@DiamondJack

 poland are useless in tournies....

@DiamondJack

 wheres mexico...never ailed to get out of group stages...

@DiamondJack

 makes the orange even better bets...

pity the bit coin wankers and twitterers...

@szhcik

As a polish native, they are very useless and always find a way not to advance

@Mac005

 ahahhaha poles..first to the fight as always...banging in tournies..then smash your heart to pieces...where do you come from...been to katowice...and krakpw...greatest country in the world (Well third)..but ill never back them in a tournie again..never...

@szhcik

 Ive been going out for poland games since 08 and have never won a game i viewed out with friends lol.. mayb this time is different? I come from jaslo, small town

@Mac005

 aye but i bet its a beautiful wee place....cesch ???

ive been in luv with poland since 74...and fell in luv with one of youze in 2008...she broke me heart as well.....

@Mac005

 it wont be different.... i stopped drinking after 2012...they cost me a fortune drawing the first game...sat in the pub mesmerised at how shite they are in tournies.....