The official FIFA World Cup 2018 thread

[dmash]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

Wasn't aware. I don't gamble or browse odds. But I don't think most would expect Belgium to beat powerhouses like England or Colombia. Colombia looked real strong today.

Have you watched all Belgium’s matches? They are a powerhouse this year, ton of talent across the entire pitch. I think Belgium wins 2-1 against England. They’ve looked superb. Sure, England had complete domination today, but that Panama team is kind of a joke and it’s their first ever WC appearance.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

I think Croatia will rest their players and trust that Nigeria won't score 5 on Argentina, which opens the door for Iceland to score a few on them (Croatia) and leap Nigeria if Nigeria loses (or draws and Iceland's goal dif gives them the edge - look out for late goals from Iceland on Croatia if Nigeria is in a draw with Argentina). I could see this happening to keep an uninteresting Argentina out and a fan favorite (Iceland) moving on, for ratings. That group is extremely interesting.

What's more likely though is simply that even if Iceland wins, Argentina will lose, which puts Nigeria into 2nd.

Also, no way Croatia is going to ‘let’ Iceland win and manipulate the groups outcome to let through another team if that’s what you’re insinuating. This is the World Cup. Especially when you’re talking about Iceland v Croatia, it would be so blatantly obvious considering Iceland’s attack is not strong whatsoever.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by dmash

Have you watched all Belgium’s matches? They are a powerhouse this year, ton of talent across the entire pitch. I think Belgium wins 2-1 against England. They’ve looked superb. Sure, England had complete domination today, but that Panama team is kind of a joke and it’s their first ever WC appearance.

Most of their two games, yes. My concern is they drew 0-0 against Portugal in early June (a game in which Ronaldo wasn't playing). So we'll see how they get on against stronger opponents than Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, or Tunisia who they have beaten easily over the past few weeks.

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by dmash

Also, no way Croatia is going to ‘let’ Iceland win and manipulate the groups outcome to let through another team if that’s what you’re insinuating. This is the World Cup. Especially when you’re talking about Iceland v Croatia, it would be so blatantly obvious considering Iceland’s attack is not strong whatsoever.

Not Croatia, but the refs creating the opportunity for Iceland to have more opportunities if that opportunity were to present itself. Just like the last 15 minutes of Germany against Sweden. Boateng had to be given the 2nd yellow, it couldn't go uncarded his foul, but the refs evened it out with the calls to keep the ball deep in Sweden's defense almost the entire time until Kroos made the magic happen.

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by SpeakWithMichael

Wasn't aware. I don't gamble or browse odds. But I don't think most would expect Belgium to beat powerhouses like England or Colombia. Colombia looked real strong today.

Belgium looks very strong. As much faith as I have in Colombia, there's no way in hell they're going to make it to semis this year.

England - Belgium - Portugal : Strong candidates in my opinion.

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[ProdigalGil]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

I’m curious Mark, where are those odds taken from?



England are 7th favourites according to our own bookies but I assumed we were being over-rated because the odds were shortened due to the bookmakers reducing liabilities as naturally lots of optimistic/drunk Englishmen put money on England to win.



Though for once we’ve got a team rather than a collection of individuals, unfortunately we are a bit short in midfield and defence. Still, you never know.



Incidentally, the top 4 in the betting cannot meet each other until the semis if they all win their respective groups, which is why it’s hard to see past one of them for the win. I’d say Brazil if pushed - Tite has actually organised a watertight defence to go with the traditional Brazilian flair in attack.

Here are my predictions...now all we need is Mexico to lose to Sweden, which will be a joke as they won the 2 opening games.

France to win outright and Portugal each way, but Portugal don’t top the group, they play France immediately.

I support England, but they need a draw or lost with Belgium.

Very exciting indeed.





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[tudorbaja27]

Anyone dislike Suarez as much as I do?

[cdmorenot]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Anyone dislike Suarez as much as I do?

You have absolutely no idea. You'd think someone with a hard beginning such as his would try a little bit harder to not be such a D...

I like Cavani much more than I could ever dislike Suarez.

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[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by cdmorenot

You have absolutely no idea. You'd think someone with a hard beginning such as his would try a little bit harder to not be such a D...

But I diike Cavani much more than I could ever dislike Suarez.

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Yeah. Cavani si a beast and a class act. Also helps that he doesn't bite people

[tudorbaja27]

I have Portugal and Spain easily beating Iran and Morocco. Surprises have happened though. Let the games begin

[AK797]

Originally Posted by ProdigalGil

I support England, but they need a draw or lost with Belgium.

Very exciting indeed.


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I think beating Belgium to top the group is the best bet, then we probably avoid Colombia and get maybe Japan who we will beat as they are like England 2 years ago. I'm not looking any further down the line at all, unlike Ian Wright who has us winning the thing after we scored basically two very good goals against Panama.

[Zakalwe]

Referee has done Portugal up like a kipper there. Ridiculous pen. I honestly think he doesn’t actually understand the handball law to give that.

Also, why the hell is VAR not being used to give cards to the players who are acting like they’ve been sniped from the crowd when they get brushed? Embarrassing behaviour from alleged men.

[dmash]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

I have Portugal and Spain easily beating Iran and Morocco. Surprises have happened though. Let the games begin

Surprise happened

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by dmash

Surprise happened

haha indeed. Though both went through at the end. Both Iran and morocco showed more than decent performances at this WC, cheers to them.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by dmash

Why the focus on Belgium repeatedly ‘stunning’? They’re one of the best looking squads in the entire World Cup, and lukakau is front runner for Golden Boot. Practically all betting websites have Belgium favored over England and Colombia to win the WC?

Well personally I don’t think Belgium has played a
world class contender yet !
Not saying they’re not a good team but they haven’t won
the final yet ...
Point and case :
Russia beats Saudi Arabia 5-0
Loses 0-3 to Uruguay...
just sayin... We shall see how far their talent and precision goes .

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

haha indeed. Though both went through at the end. Both Iran and morocco showed more than decent performances at this WC, cheers to them.

Agreed but happy and relieved for both Spain and Portugal !! !

[AK797]

Spain played well in patches, their passing is still the best in the tournament but their killer instinct is lacking esp when Costa plays like a donkey which is too often. Morocco were very good and had another well organised defence which is making the gap between top and bottom teams much smaller, so small that now luck will probably play the biggest part in selecting those that go further, and why it is very hard to predict who will win and advance, this is really tournament football now.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by superstarmar

Well personally I don’t think Belgium has played a
world class contender yet !
Not saying they’re not a good team but they haven’t won
the final yet ...
Point and case :
Russia beats Saudi Arabia 5-0
Loses 0-3 to Uruguay...
just sayin... We shall see how far their talent and precision goes .

Yes, for Belgium it is now about heart and mental strength, can they do a Ronaldo when things are not going their way. Same for England and Spain and Brazil and Argentina... less so for Germany and Colombia as they have shown some steel and some fight.

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by AK797

Yes, for Belgium it is now about heart and mental strength, can they do a Ronaldo when things are not going their way. Same for England and Spain and Brazil and Argentina... less so for Germany and Colombia as they have shown some steel and some fight.

Yup !!! Every day is exciting because certain teams are writing
their own history...

[tudorbaja27]

France isn't going very far

[GB-man]

Adios Australia.

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Adios Australia.

THE SOCCEROOS

[GerardoG]

...just 52 minutes to go...

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

...just 52 minutes to go...

I have a feeling Argentina will be out after the game tonight

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

I have a feeling Argentina will be out after the game tonight

Office. Diet Coke: check. Streaming service: check. Headphones: check. 26 minutes....

[tudorbaja27]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Office. Diet Coke: check. Streaming service: check. Headphones: check. 26 minutes....

Alone in the office. No headphones needed. Espresso - check. pre-game cigarette? in progress

[superstarmar]

Originally Posted by GerardoG

Office. Diet Coke: check. Streaming service: check. Headphones: check. 26 minutes....

I’m on it... Check...

[Rondineli]

Go Nigeria!

[Zakalwe]

See those three touches from Messi?! 3 perfect touches. Ball over the shoulder, left knee, left foot, bang right foot. I’d argue no other player in the world could execute those three touches. Godly tekkers.

[GerardoG]

Oh boy! NGA 1- 1 ARG