World Cup 2018! Pre-Tournament Predictions

Pasamela! 

Pre-Tournament Predictions

Welcome to Pasamela! The daily World Cup 2018 blog. This post will be focusing on pre-tournament predictions, who will qualify for the next round, the key men for each nation, and some early betting tips. 

Double Trouble. Suarez and Cavani to outscore Salah's Egypt

Group A - The fall of the Pharaohs

1. Uruguay (10/11 William Hill)
2. Russia (21/50 to qualify - MB)
3. Egypt
4. Saudi Arabia

 
The hosts Russia take on Uruguay, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia in what should be a fairly straightforward group for the South Americans. However, this could all depend on the fitness of perhaps the most talked about player on the planet, Mohamed Salah. The Premier League Player of the Season can win games on his own, but with the obvious lack of strength in depth Egypt will find it hard to overcome hosts Russia to qualify. Saudi Arabia are perhaps the weakest side in the competition and pose little threat going forward to worry any of the other major footballing nations.

Group A Best Bet: Saudi Arabia not to score - 4/1 (Sky Bet)

Ramos to shine as Europe's bad boy

Group B - R&R Ramos v Ronaldo
1. Spain (5/9 SportPesa)
2. Portugal (1/3 to qualify - Black Type)
3. Morocco
4. Iran

The most exciting match up of the group stage arrives in group B with the 2010 winners Spain taking on current European champions Portugal. Little needs to be said about minnows Morocco and Iran, as the far superior Spain and Portugal should progress with ease. However, the European giants will face each other first up, piling on the pressure if one side does come out on top. Public enemy number one Sergio Ramos will be relishing the opportunity to go up against his Real Madrid team mate, Ronaldo, and fireworks are to be expected.

Group B Best Bet: Spain 1st Portugal 2nd Morocco 3rd Iran 4th - 5/2 (Sky Bet)

Group C - Race for 2nd behind youthful French
1. France (4/9 Black Type)

Guerrero to steal more headlines

2. Peru (2/1 to qualify - Winner)
3. Denmark
4. Australia

The shock return of Paolo Guerrero to captain the Peruvian side may give them the impetus to advance to the next stage. Peru's attacking flair has been given a huge boost following the overturning of Guerrero's drugs ban, and they should prove too strong for Denmark in the race for second place. Denmark and Australia will go into the tournament on good form, however they may struggle on the goal scoring front, especially against the World Cup hopefuls France. The French will be expected to outscore almost everyone in the tournament, as their frightening front line begins to take shape. Griezmann, Mbappe, Demebele, and Giroud will all be in the hunt for goals, and France will be looking to go one better than their home defeat in Euro 2016.

Group C Best Bet: Peru to qualify - 2/1 (Winner)

Group D - Organised Croatia to stun Argentines
1. Croatia (5/2 Spread Ex)

Croatia's clásico midfield

2. Argentina (4/25 to qualify MB)
3. Iceland
4. Nigeria

Argentina's frailties may once again let them down on the world's biggest stage as Croatia look stronger than ever. The South Americans were defeated finalists in 2014, although they did not set the world alight after 1-0 victories in the last 16 and quarter finals and a penalty victory over The Netherlands in the semi final. They will need to ride their luck again this year if they are to reach the heights of 2014 and Croatia are as tough an ask as you can get in the group stage. The midfield trio of Rakitic, Modric, and Kovacic provide the perfect balance at the heart of their side, and with options up front in Mandzukic and Kalinic, it is hard to look past Croatia as serious challengers. Iceland will be as solid as they have been in recent years, and should be too strong for Nigeria, but have been handed a very difficult draw.

Group D Best Bet: Croatia to top group - 5/2 (Spread Ex)

Group E - Neymar's Tournament?

Neymar to return with a bang

1. Brazil (4/11 Black Type)
2. Switzerland (6/5 to qualify Sky Bet)
3. Serbia
4. Costa Rica

Pre-tournament favourites Brazil (9/2 SpreadEx) will be spearheaded by their superstar Neymar as he returns to full fitness after a lengthy spell on the sidelines in Paris. After an impressive performance in the pre-tournament friendlies, Brazil are expected to qualify with a 100% record. Once again, the race for 2nd place will be interesting, with all three sides being in with a decent shout. Switzerland's experience should prove valuable, and with some impressive friendly results they are expected to qualify. Costa Rica's poor performance against England was not the ideal preparation and they will struggle to score goals against the organised Swiss and Serbian sides.

Group E Best Bet:  Brazil to win all three games - 11/10 (Sun Bets)

Group F - Die Mannschaft domination again?
1. Germany (4/9 Black Type)

Timo Werner 16/1 for the golden boot (BetFair)

2. Sweden (11/8 to qualify Sky Bet)
3. Mexico
4. South Korea

The shock omission of Leroy Sane from the German squad has been one of the stories grabbing the headlines before Germany's World Cup campaign. The 22 year old Man City winger lit up the Premier League, but has been deemed not worthy of a spot in Joachim Low's squad. However, it is another Manchester City player's inclusion that has threatened the harmony between fans and staff, as Ilkay Gundogan has been jeered by his own fans after controversial comments surrounding Turkish President Erdogan. Will these stories disrupt the normally solid German side? Maybe, but they should still have enough to stroll through their group. Mexico may also be hampered by recent media allegations surrounding their players, but should still play with their usual flair. 22 year old PSV star Hirving Lozano will be at the forefront of the Mexican attack, but will come up against supremely organised Sweden and Germany. Sweden's options in attack look limited compared to their group F counterparts, but did outscore the Netherlands in qualifying and should have a little more than Mexico and the depleted South Koreans.

Group F Best Bet: Germany to win and Korea to finish bottom - 15/8 (SkyBet)

Premier League's best to top group

Group G - Belgium to outscore English
1. Belgium (5/6 bet365)
2. England (1/6 to qualify Black Type)
3. Tunisia
4. Panama

Belgium and England go head to head in what should be a fairly straightforward group for both European nations. The two giants will face off in the last game of the group, which should be a shootout for 1st place. Belgium, on paper, look stronger than ever, boasting a team filled with the Premier League's most exciting. De Bruyne, Eden Hazard, and Lukaku will be licking their lips at the prospect of coming up against weak Panama and Tunisia sides, as well as putting one over on their Premier League rivals. England, on the other hand will be largely inexperienced, and will be relying on Harry Kane to fire them through to the next round. Competition for places will keep England fresh, as successful pre-tournament friendlies have paved the way for a much changed side. Panama are heading to their first World Cup finals, and will be happy just to enjoy the occasion, whereas Tunisia will feel hard done by that they have landed such a difficult group.

Group G Best Bet: Belgium 1st, England 2nd - 5/4 (Spread Ex)

Lewandowski to fire Poland through

Group H - Poland dark horses?
1. Poland (11/5 SpreadEx)
2. Colombia (8/15 to qualify Black Type)
3. Senegal
4. Japan

Group H rivals Group A for the title of the weakest group. In what makes a nice change, all four sides will fancy their chances of qualifying. Colombia will be a lot of neutrals favourites during the tournament, after their campaign last time out in 2014. James Rodriguez has found some form at Bayern Munich, but will struggle to be as exciting as four years ago, where his side narrowly lost out to fellow South American's Brazil in the quarter finals. Poland, not far from home, should top the group after their impressive display in qualification. This may all depend on the form of Robert Lewandowski, who netted an incredible 16 times, and bagged a further 29 for his club. Senegal will be relying on their main man Sadio Mane after he had an equally impressive season for Liverpool, scoring in the Champions League Final. However, Japan's squad looks demonstrably weaker than at previous competitions, and they may find it difficult against more organised opposition.

Group H Best Bet: Lewandowski top scorer in group - 3/1 (Sky Bet)

Pre-Tournament Tips:

Brazil Win and Neymar Golden Boot - 25/1 (Bet365)
Germany Win and Timo Werner Golden Boot - 40/1 (BetStars)

Next Post - Russia vs Saudi Arabia 13th June


@andy_hayden