World Cup 2018

Right, time to get the ball rolling with less than 2 weeks to go. This is the thread for predictions, moans, inquests etc. And by the time the final has been won, the real football will only be a fortnight away!

I was challenged by Benny to predict the quarter finalists...

France, Uruguay, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Columbia, Spain, Iceland.

What do others think? Post your entries below before the group stages start - one point for each correct prediction.

Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, England, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain.

France, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, Russia, Argentina, Germany, England

I am not sure of the permutations of who can go through yet but I see England sneaking hype-free through to the quarter finals before they have years of being hailed as the Golden Generation, potential World Cup Winners and then underachievers as they reach a position which is perfectly acceptable for them. Actually all this could happen in this tournament.

I still can't see why everyone is falling for this Belgium hype. Of course, being beaten by Wales isn't a shame but I don't see them getting further than the quarter finals. I think that Iceland's balloon may burst. I will post my predictions once I have worked out the permutations.

France, Portugal, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, Argentina

The Times has a very handy predictor - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/world-cup-predictor-2018-h5r629fk7

I assume those confidently predicting England's march to the quarters are aware of their record in WC ko matches. Just five wins since 1966, and only three of those in 90 minutes (86 Paraguay, 02 Denmark, 06 Ecuador)

I had England to come second in the group and then meeting Poland in the second round.

And then what happened? Don't keep me in suspense...

Ashley wrote:The Times has a very handy predictor - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/world-cup-predictor-2018-h5r629fk7

Thanks for that, Ashley. Through that I have this as the QF line-up - France V Portugal; Brazil V England; Germany Belgium; Spain v Argentina;

comrade powell wrote:And then what happened? Don't keep me in suspense...

England went out to Germany in the QF. Final ended up as Brazil v Germany

Ashley wrote:I had England to come second in the group and then meeting Poland in the second round.

yes that's how I see it. Out in the quarters.

France V Spain
Brazil V Belgium
Germany V Poland
Portugal V Argentina
Semi Final
France V Brazil
Germany V Portugal
Final
France V Germany

Winners Germany

Good to hear from you, Rudi! Will you make some matches next season?

Spain are going to be very tired if you've got them playing France AND Argentina in the quarters!

my world cup prediction has been corrected
yes I will be seeing more Bath games this season
just bought a season ticket
also will attend a few away games this coming season
the big family holiday has been paid for and enjoyed greatly over easter

Great news, Rudi - see you at Concord!

The Ruskis couldn't have started against easier opponents if they had hand picked them. They say there are no easy games in world football. Ha.

Hopefully there won't be any more matches as one sided as today's. It certainly didn't provide a good argument in support of the ridiculous move to increase the finals to 48 teams. And I do wonder if the three points won by the Russians today maybe their sum total in this group.

The defending was so bad; errors for most of the goals rather than creative attacking flair.

Agree with comrade that there are too many teams (which is why I couldn't be bothered to work out the possible combinations to enter the compo).

Well Portugal and Spain have certainly set the bar very high for the rest of the tournament. As Lineker suggested afterwards, that must have been one of the best ever group games. For me, Brazil/England in 1970 and France/Argentina in 78 were standouts but I think last night's was better. Any other contenders?

Given the way Morocco and Iran are set up to defend one of Spain and Portugal could go out.

But as both teams have half decent strikers those defences really will be put to the test.

For me England/ Holland was a stand out game but that was the Euros 88.

By and large group games do not stick in the memory.

Good to watch Peru at the finals again - they really should have beaten the dull Danes this afternoon. I don't think that their style has changed at all since their appearances in the 70s - very skillful, lightening quick but dreadfully erratic. And in the earlier game from the same group Pogba again showed that he must be the world's most overrated player.

Czech Republic v Holland in Euro 2000 is often described as one of the best games.

As for World Cups, struggling to remember a better that Friday’s classic, particularly in a group opener as well.

And thank heavens for the red button on BBC which meant I could use the radio commentary rather than listen to Lawro witter on. He’s so out of touch and past his sell-by-date it’s scary, yet he’s unsackable. Every year I pray he won’t be used, sadly they haven’t been answered as yet.