World Cup Winner And Finalists Preview

Could this World Cup define the Greatest Footballer Of All Time? Many will argue it could with Messi and Ronaldo both looking to go deep in what is very likely to be their final World Cup. Argentina are considerably shorter in the Outright market with bet365 but I think the value could lay with Portugal at 16/1. They are nearly triple the price and arguably have an easier route through. They should top their group up against Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea and that could mean they face Switzerland in the Last 16 which they would fully be expected to come through. Germany then potentially await in the Quarter-finals which would be their toughest ask yet but if they came through that it would be potentially England in the Semi Final. They are definitely overpriced in comparison to say Argentina who would likely have to beat Denmark, Netherlands and Brazil just to have a crack at the Final. This is all hypothetical of course but with all the drama surrounding Ronaldo I actually think this could bring them closer together and inspire them on.

They have emerging talent among the ranks which include Joao Felix now with Atletico Madrid who will undoubtedly link up well with Bruno Fernandes. Others to note include Goncalo Guedes who scored the lone goal in the Nations League final and Bernardo Silva who obviously needs no explanation. Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, Danilo Pereira means they are strong defensively too and I’m confident they can have a good run. For the first time in a while it feels like they have more than just Ronaldo.

It might be over two decades since a South American team have lifted the World Cup but it comes as no surprise to see Brazil favourites for this year’s tournament. They have strength in depth in their squad and I think they can justify their number one ranking in Qatar. Neymar makes his third consecutive World Cup appearance and is now widely regarded as one of the best players in the World. He has netted 8 goals from as many appearances to open his account in Ligue 1 and arrives here with confidence brimming.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. appears at a World Cup for the first time and is an exciting prospect having scored 17 goals last season matching Karim Benzema as the 2021-22 leading goalscorer in La Liga. Gabriel Jesus sits top of the Premier League with Arsenal and he is joined by Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Fred, Casemiro, Richarlison, Antony and even Philippe Coutinho. They have been better prepared for this tournament than when heading into Russia back in 2018 having gone undefeated in qualification winning 14 and drawing just 3. I’m expecting them to qualify top of their group which could mean they face Uruguay in the Last 16 where they would have the edge. If Spain beat Croatia then I think Brazil would outscore their opponents there to head into the Semi-finals where they could potentially meet Argentina. That would easily be one of the clashes of the tournament and if they come through that it could be England in the final which they would be clear favourites for.

Hopefully by now you are feeling as confident as we are that Brazil will have a tournament to remember but who will they face in the Final should they get there? Well after much deliberation I think the value is backing England to make it. We are now up to 56 years of hurt and while I’m not convinced that will end in Qatar I do think England might have a decent World Cup. After all Gareth Southgate does have the most expensive squad heading into the tournament and (touch wood) have a lack of injuries at present (only Maddison missed training this week). England obviously reached the Semi-Finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia where they just found a rallying Croatian side too strong and then made the Final at Euro 2020 losing to Italy on penalties.

The group stage draw in April was definitely favourable for England, who are long odds-on to make it out of the group and reach the knockouts once more. I think there is a good chance England face Senegal in the Last 16 which will be manageable. France could then await Southgate’s men in the Semi-finals which looks another winnable game. They have been very inconsistent since winning it in 2018 and England will be setup hard to beat. If England do come through that huge test it is possibly Germany or Portugal in the Semi-finals. I have it down as England facing Portugal and England will want revenge for 2006 where they beat Eriksson’s men on penalties after Rooney was controversially sent off. The bookies will struggle to split that pair and if England prevail 22/1 about a Brazil v England Final looks the play. That Final would be a rematch of the 2002 Quarter-Finals where Ronaldinho managed to lob Seaman from 30 yards. England will tactically be hard to beat all tournament but I think if any team is going to unlock that is could be the brilliance of Brazil as heartbreaking as it would be. Like France in 2018 Brazil would be winning it 20 years after their last win and for a record sixth time.