Who's winning it?

[tom27111]

1 minute ago, Col city fan said:

Still not seen anything from any other team that would make England necessarily fear them. But I’m going for France I think. Mbappe is the best player in this tournament and the thought of him one on one with Maguire DOES worry me.

Apart from our mentality.

 

We will fear the 'bigger countries', because that's what we do.

[Bert]

12 minutes ago, tom27111 said:

Apart from our mentality.

 

We will fear the 'bigger countries', because that's what we do.

You know he’s going 5 at the back should we progress and face France. 

[tom27111]

3 minutes ago, Bert said:

You know he’s going 5 at the back should we progress and face France. 

Only 5?

 

 

[Trav Le Bleu]

1 hour ago, tom27111 said:

Apart from our mentality.

 

We will fear the 'bigger countries', because that's what we do.

Yeah, looking at what we've seen so far, England are as good as anyone else. There isn't a single team that that hasn't had one poor game. This is the big chance, but England will defeat themselves, or at least, Southgate will defeat us.

[Dan]

Brazil's path to the semis looks extremely kind now. With the rate of games that can only help them in the latter stages as I expect them to expend less energy in the round of 16 and quarters compared to the others. It's a golden chance for them and I think they'll see it through now.

[Deeg67]

It's certainly the most evenly matched WC I can remember.  France could be a dominant side if they had a manager who wanted them to be, but they win in spite of him and not because - they're that talented.  England might have a chance in a year like this but not with Southgate running things.  Every team has flaws, but France and Brazil still look the most formidable and least likely to self-destuct.

 

I don't ever recall this many surprise teams in the round of 16, either.

[Detroit Blues]

3 hours ago, Deeg67 said:

It's certainly the most evenly matched WC I can remember.  France could be a dominant side if they had a manager who wanted them to be, but they win in spite of him and not because - they're that talented.  England might have a chance in a year like this but not with Southgate running things.  Every team has flaws, but France and Brazil still look the most formidable and least likely to self-destuct.

 

I don't ever recall this many surprise teams in the round of 16, either.

No team truly feels unbeatable. There's also a ton of teams where if you told me they won the cup I'd believe you. 

[Koke]

Argentina look good but Poland is the most anti football team in this tournament, and Mexico is the worst they've been in years. Messi will carry them far but I'm curious to see them up against top opposition.

[Sly]

7 hours ago, Col city fan said:

Still not seen anything from any other team that would make England necessarily fear them. But I’m going for France I think. Mbappe is the best player in this tournament and the thought of him one on one with Maguire DOES worry me.

I still think both France, Spain, Brazil and England could field an A, B and potentially C teams that would be competitive against most team at this World Cup.

 

I’d fancy an Argentina / Brazil semi on the other side of the draw. 
 

I don’t really know what to make of either of them. Whilst both have clearly talented attacking players, I think both struggle defensively, so will rely on ball retention to limit the pressure / goal scoring opportunities. England also have this issue. I could foresee some really boring, tactical games being played out. If it goes to penalties then it’s a lottery. 
 

If France were to lose Mbappe, or Argentina lose Messi for instance, that would be a major blow. Spain, England and Brazil I’d argue are a better sum of parts. Not that both nations don’t have other very, very good players. Mbappe is special and is the best player at this tournament. Messi clearly isn’t as influential as he once was. 
 

Walker would need to be the player to follow Mbappe. It’s just how England adapt to that, is he’s given license to roam around. Giroud doesn’t present the same problems and I feel Maguire / Stones handle him him better. 
 

France, Spain and England on one side of the draw makes this intriguing. Senegal is a bit of an unknown really. How will they deal with playing a big nation. They are African champions and shouldn’t be under estimated. 

 

This World Cup still has a few twists and turns yet though. I’m sure we’ll see a few more shocks. 
 

I still thing the QF will be:

 

Friday 9th 15:00 - Croatia Vs Brazil

Friday 9th 19:00 - USA Vs Argentina

Saturday 10th 15:00 - Portugal Vs Spain

Saturday 10th 19:00 - France Vs England

[marbles]

1 hour ago, Koke said:

Argentina look good but Poland is the most anti football team in this tournament, and Mexico is the worst they've been in years. Messi will carry them far but I'm curious to see them up against top opposition.

I don’t think Argentina looked good at all, and I’ve just never had confidence in Messi to carry them on the big stage.

[yorkie1999]

It’ll either be one of the big guns that win it or a rank outsider that will just leave everyone disappointed so I’m going with  Switzerland.

[Miquel The Work Geordie]

Last Friday everyone was bleating (wrongly) about how shit we are and how much better we were in the 90s apparently when we won nothing, and since then nearly every side they've touted as better in this world cup has lost ahahhahaha.

 

No side in history has blitzed every game en route to winning an international tournament, it just doesn't happen. We still drew in our worst performance and that was against quite a handy Yank side.

[Manley Farrington-Brown]

1 hour ago, yorkie1999 said:

It’ll either be one of the big guns that win it or a rank outsider that will just leave everyone disappointed so I’m going with  Switzerland.

I'd be delighted to see a rank outsider win it - wouldn't most people?

 

I'd hate it to happen in the league, mind. That would be awful. 😉

[Deeg67]

Switzerland winning it would be great, LOL.  Don't see anything like that happening but if there ever a year when it could...

[yorkie1999]

1 hour ago, Deeg67 said:

Switzerland winning it would be great, LOL.  Don't see anything like that happening but if there ever a year when it could...

Hey, remember Greece winning g the euros. 

[Manley Farrington-Brown]

Morocco are going to win it.

 

 

When they don't, absolutely nobody will remember this post.

When they do, I'll be revealed as a flippin genius. 

I literally can't lose with this prediction!

[Jattdogg]

...not usa....

 

Poland-australia final would be epic and fitting for this cup given the teams left.

 

 

 

Of course will always want England to win.

[whoareyaaa]

I think Argentina could get to the final with Messi on song and maybe win it, my prediction has changed England v Argentina Final

[Foxxed]

My friend reckons England since, although the football is dull and unappealing, we have quality in the side and the boring teams often do well—Spain in 2015 for example. If Southgate’s able to park the bus against France and punish them with our fairly excellent attacking players he’ll try win the tournament like that. He makes a fairly good point but he also predicted the USA would beat the Dutch so…

[Mike Oxlong]

[Lionator]

18 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

I’d say we’re favourites now given our attacking performances but France is the big one. Our defence against Mbappe is going to be anxiety provoking. 

[Sly]

For a boring team, England score plenty of goals. 

[The Bear]

I'm still saying Spain. They just control games with their style. 

[tom27111]

18 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I’d say we’re favourites now given our attacking performances but France is the big one. Our defence against Mbappe is going to be anxiety provoking. 

The bookies don't agree.

[Mike Oxlong]

54 minutes ago, Lionator said:

I’d say we’re favourites now given our attacking performances but France is the big one. Our defence against Mbappe is going to be anxiety provoking. 

We have tonked two decent teams and Wales. Think we have every chance.