WC 2018

[horble]

I'm mildly optimistic about England, the youth setups have done much better at tournament football recently following a more German approach and whilst we have no stand out superstars I do think they have a better team ethic this time.  That matters the most and we have 3 goalkeepers all much better than Joe Hart!  who has cost us the last 2 tournys.  So maybe not this time but hopefully next Euros or WC we go semi finals at least! 

Hopefully Harry Kane and Vardy can prove difficult for opposing teams one being a typical centre forward (haven't had one since Shearer) and the other used to pouncing on teams with blistering counter attacks when we don't get much of the ball.  Lets be Leicester!

I admittedly know next to nothing about the sport or the world cup, but I do know you should never be optimistic about England.

 

[Spikes]

I admittedly know next to nothing about the sport or the world cup, but I do know you should never be optimistic about England.

 

[Zimme83]

I cannot believe that there are still people that thinks that England is good at soccer. They havent been good since 1990.. Even Sweden has a better track record in the WC since 1990..

[Zimme83]

But i have no idea of how this WC is going to end, (except that England will not win  ), But i guess the winner is going to be one of the usuals. Germany, Brazil, France or Spain.

[perdue3]

My group stage predictions will be out later today. Stay tuned!

[perdue3]

In bold are the two I believe to survive the group stage and I have them in the order I believe they will finish.




Group A: Uruguay Egypt Russia Saudi Arabia

Group B: Portugal Espaņa Morocco Islamic Republic of Iran

Group C: France Denmark Peru Australia

Group D: Argentina Croatia Iceland Nigeria  (Tough group this)

Group E: Brasil Switzerland Costa Rica Serbia (Another tough one)

Group F: Deutschland Mexico Sweden Korea Republic

Group G: Belgium England Panama Tunisia

Group H: Poland Japan Colombia Senegal (bold predictions group)


What are your predictions for the group stage?

[BoilerDown]

Don't sleep on Iceland.

[perdue3]

Don't sleep on Iceland.

I am not, they have a tough group and anyone could come out of it.

[kilo2]

Group A: Uruguay Egypt Russia Saudi Arabia

Group B: Portugal Espaņa Morocco Islamic Republic of Iran

Group C: France Denmark Peru Australia

Group D: Argentina Croatia Iceland Nigeria 

Group E: Brasil Switzerland Costa Rica Serbia

Group F: Deutschland Mexico Sweden Korea Republic

Group G: Belgium England Panama Tunisia

Group H: Poland Japan Colombia Senegal

I think morocco could end up being the surprise of the group stages 

[Dace]

Group A: Uruguay Russia Egypt  Saudi Arabia

Group B: Portugal Spain Morocco Islamic Republic of Iran

Group C: France Denmark Peru Australia

Group D: Argentina Croatia Iceland Nigeria 

Group E: Brazil Switzerland Costa Rica Serbia

Group F: Germany Mexico Sweden Korea Republic

Group G: Belgium England Panama Tunisia

Group H: Colombia Poland Japan  Senegal

[perdue3]

Group A: Uruguay Egypt Russia Saudi Arabia

Group B: Portugal Espaņa Morocco Islamic Republic of Iran

Group C: France Denmark Peru Australia

Group D: Argentina Croatia Iceland Nigeria 

Group E: Brasil Switzerland Costa Rica Serbia

Group F: Deutschland Mexico Sweden Korea Republic

Group G: Belgium England Panama Tunisia

Group H: Poland Japan Colombia Senegal

I think morocco could end up being the surprise of the group stages 

Morocco has potential. Ziyech may be one of the better young wingers and Benatia is sturdy in the back. I just don't know if they can get past Portugal/Spain. You really believe Son will carry Korea past Mexico?

[perdue3]

Group A: Uruguay Russia Egypt  Saudi Arabia

Group B: Portugal Spain Morocco Islamic Republic of Iran

Group C: France Denmark Peru Australia

Group D: Argentina Croatia Iceland Nigeria 

Group E: Brazil Switzerland Costa Rica Serbia

Group F: Germany Mexico Sweden Korea Republic

Group G: Belgium England Panama Tunisia

Group H: Colombia Poland Japan  Senegal

This is a good prediction, safe even. As we all know, the World Cup is full of surprises. While this is the obvious group results, I doubt it will come true. Group E is so interesting, Brasil is the only guaranteed winner of the group I think. Any of the other three can make it. Even then, I think Costa Rica will handle Brasil with their counter-attack.

[Bruv119]

ill make a bold prediction . Germany to not go through. 

*starts WW3   

neuer has had no game time this season and will be a liabilty, they lost to austria in a friendly, 1st time in like 30 years. 

lose to mexico and draw with sweden and korea.

[perdue3]

ill make a bold prediction . Germany to not go through. 

*starts WW3   

neuer has had no game time this season and will be a liabilty, they lost to austria in a friendly, 1st time in like 30 years. 

lose to mexico and draw with sweden and korea.

If Neuer proves to be in bad form again Friday, he will not get the nod in the group stage. Ter Stegen has been in good form as has Kevin Trapp. Germany is deep in keepers, so I am not worried about who is between the sticks. What worries me about Germany is the midfield roles. Apart from Kroos, they are riddled with holes. Sami Khedeira is slow as molasses and is a liability going forward, Sebastian Rudy is extremely overrated, Goretzka is young and may not show up on the big stage. Germany will have a traditional number 9 in Timo Werner, which may help against many teams. Germany has a pretty average group, so I don't fear the group stage. However, they will be matched up against Group E which may mean Brasil or Switzerland. Any of those four could realistically go through. The first round knockout match will be tough.

[Spikes]

Neuer looked fine, plus as perd said there is plenty of depth at keeper for Germany.