2018 FIFA WORLD CUP PREVIEW
By, Trace Alexander
Only 169 days, 10 hours, 43 minutes and 5 seconds until the beautiful sport’s mainstage kicks off in Russia, the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With that said, today we will be reviewing the groups and making predictions. Let’s get started.
Group A: Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
I predict group A to actually be one of the more exciting groups in group stages. They have the host who are my dark horse of the group, a decently balanced Uruguay side starring Luis Suarez and Diego Godin, Egypt who are riding an incredibly hot streak with Mohamed Salah carrying his country to their first ever World Cup qualification and more than likely very lackluster Saudi Arabian team. I believe Egypt and Russia will end up walking out of this group unscathed. Here’s Russia’s case, they are the host which is going to help this rather mediocre team. They will have a lot of fans backing them at every game they play, disrupting communication between opponents and getting behind their national soccer team. Egypt’s case, one name Mohamed Salah former Chelsea player and current Liverpool star has been dominating in England and international play. Riding their first World Cup entrance I don’t think Mo Salah is stopping
there.
Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran
Group B there are two clear cut favorites in this group as they were both listed first and second. Portugal have the best player in the world featured in this team barring no injuries within the few months that we have until this event. Moreover, the Spaniards have a very balanced team with a lot of young budding stars like Marco Asensio, Alvaro Morata and David De Gea mixed in with a lot of experienced players as well such as Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos and Iniesta. The only thing holding Spain back is themselves they are always considered a favorite in any competition and as long as the team chemistry holds together this team can be very lethal. Now, the underdogs of the group, Morocco. I look through this Moroccan eleven
Group C: France, Peru, Denmark, Australia
If France manage to play themselves out of this group, consider all of my other predictions incorrect and every other heavy favorite to lose out on advancing into knock out stages. France have an unreal amount of talent at every single position that there has to be less than a two percent chance of them not advancing in Vegas. With the likes of Kylian Mbappé, N’golo Kanté, Paul Pogba and Alexandre Lacazette the attacking soccer that they will create will be some of the best a World Cup will ever see. Now the confusing part, who are going to be the second place finishers in this group? I look at only two teams, Australia and Denmark. Denmark have one of England’s best playmakers in Christian Eriksen and the best young defender in the world Andreas Christiansen outside of these two the squad looks a little thin on talent. In Australia’s case there is something in the back of my mind telling me that I shouldn’t sleep on this team regardless of their lack of talent. Who knows we’ll see if Tim Cahill can rally his troops and stun people.
Group D: Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria
Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if Iceland came out on top of this group? Sadly, my predictions say otherwise but we can dream. We’ll start with first, Argentina have this group in the bag and really lucked out if we’re honest. With Lionel Messi who some consider to be the best player in the world he should make light work of these opposing defenders. Second place I believe to be Nigeria as I am rolling the dice on the African nations regardless of the Croatians very talented midfield. Croatia has a lot to bring to the table but will it be management or will it be the lack of a true striker. I’m going to go with the second one, Croatia carry Luka Modrić, Ivan Perisic, Ivan Rakitic and Mateo Kovačić all in their midfield but I don’t think their lone striker Mario Mandžukić will be able to put the finishing touches on the service this polished midfield will provide.
Happy Holidays and stay tuned for next week’s analysis of groups E through H.
Picture credits:
www.FIFA.com
www.Squawka.com
www.thesun.co.uk
www.talkchelsea.net
www.dailymail.co.uk
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