Englishbob
Well-Known Member
As an old person, I can tell you it sucks playing golf in 90 degree weather rather than 70 let alone playing footie!
It Could Get A Bit Messi In Here - The Football Thread.
- Thread starter Joe Mac
- Start date
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
True but these “old” players are all younger than me and I’m 39 this year so not exactly past it! Plus could you imagine having to try and play in a high press or a low block shuffling from side to side before counter attacking at pace? It’d be gruelling. Its why, despite them not being the best team there, I’m very tempted to stick a few bob on Spain as world champions. Conversely I’d not touch the Germans and their gegenpress with a barge pole in that heat.
Englishbob
Well-Known Member
Copy that. I think we'll see some surprise teams make a run this year although in the end I expect to see the likes of France, Brazil etc in the final.
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
I see both as past their peak with older aging players. I could very well be wrong but Croatia has been very hit or miss after the WC final and Belgium are still a mystery with which version of Eden Hazard or Lukaku is going to show up.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah. I’d fancy the European teams this time though. Well those that don’t run around like like lunatics anyway. They shouldn’t be burned out like they can be in June. The best players tend to be conditioned to really hit their stride around late November so they should be right at the peak of their fitness for it. But France do still have a frightening squad. But yeah I just have this nagging feeling that Spain will do something big this time.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Croatia are definitely over the hill but experience can be a really big factor in these tournaments plus their possession based technical style will suit this tournament. I think Belgium have enough stars to get out of that group. It’d be strange if over 3 matches Lukaku, de Bruyne, Tielmens etc don’t each do one thing, which should be enough. I don’t see them going deep like four years back though.
Jan
Well-Known Member
The French have Denmark which is a tough opponent. I don't know how good times is and Peru are in the moment
Ginormousthumbs
Go on, geezer.
So who are the favorites from each Group?
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
It’s not always immediately apparent but probably
Netherlands
England
Argentina
France
Spain
Perhaps Belgium on reputation
Brazil
I wouldn’t want to call a group where no team stands out but again perhaps Portugal on reputation.
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
I love thinking about this!
Who I think go through below.
Group B is a wildcard besides England. Iran are underrated, and unknown. They topped their group in AFC qualifying pretty comfortably. Which US will show up? They're still too raw I think. Plus if Wales make it to the final I think they go through. Scotland or Ukraine are a better draw for US and Iran.
I'd like the see Canada go through but I think Croatia still have enough quality. I wouldn't be surprised if they upset though.
Serbia are pot 3 but they beat Portugal when it mattered most to make it in. I don't think they'll be easy.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
I don’t know why you have a thing for Wales. Beyond Bale I don’t rate them at all. He is, granted, capable of winning them a match that they’re not in though. Scotland or Ukraine are much better organised teams from what I’ve seen of them both. I’ve probably seen more of Scotland than any of them and the way Steve Clarke has them organised and playing has really impressed me.
Edit: Deleted the last paragraph to avoid potential jinxing
Jonathan Y
Well-Known Member
I would love to see Scotland qualify as well!
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
I guess I just rate Wales more than I do the other two teams. They still have Bale and he's still a difference maker. If it was only Dan James running the show then I don't think they'd even be in the playoffs. Scotland's offense is fairly weak, Ukraine, I don't think they have enough quality and they'll be a mystery with how they'll cope under the circumstances. I guess we'll have to see what happens in June and if my support is worthy.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Them managing to get around their two best players both being left backs, and fitting them both in the team without shoehorning one in on the right has been really impressive. They really do miss a really ruthless bastard up front, they’d be a really tidy team with that.
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Turbo
Well-Known Member
A bit of a hot take from me, but Mexico may be a little overrated based on they way I've seen them play in the CONCACAF octagonal. Maybe they picked it up during the last window? Poland should be able to take them out, no?
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah I totally get the Bale factor but he isn’t the Bale of Euro 2016 either. He won’t do it every time and I struggle to see them beating either of the other two without him doing that. Clarke has Scotland playing some really nice stuff now but I do agree that they miss a striker. They have lots of really handy second strikers that would make a great partner with their movement and pressing but lack that one who just lives to score goals.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Poland are hard to judge. They’re an aging team with no standouts bar their one great player. He will score goals but if it’s enough to win them games is a different matter.
Joe Mac
Well-Known Member
Yeah. You’re right. Given the right tide of emotion you could just see Ukraine, who are a half decent team, raising their game significantly and making the whole debate moot. Another England Scotland game at a World Cup would be great. It’s just a pity that it’s currently the worst Ireland side of my lifetime because the rest of the British and Irish teams seem to be having a renaissance right now!
wokeupnew
Well-Known Member
I agree. Along with the US. USMNT did the absolute bare minimum to qualify. They were absolutely terrible away from home. I don't see either going past the round of 16 if they make it out. Mexico have qualified to the Round of 16 in something like 7 straight WC's so they'll probably find a way.