DJHazey

If they could just use VAR to stop strikers from 'hesitating' right before shooting. :lol: I think it'll be great if VAR takes away non-offsides plays that would been called originally and leads to more goals.

Yikes, Spain was one of my favorites to win it all. They had been 16-0-4 in their last 20 matches under Lopetegui. We'll see what effect this has. Very pleased that the World Cup will coming back to the U.S.

Russia 2:0 Saudi Arabia Egypt 1:1 Uruguay Morocco 0:0 Iran Portugal 2:3 Spain France 4:1 Australia Peru 1:2 Denmark Argentina 3:1 Iceland Croatia 2:0 Nigeria Costa Rica 1:1 Serbia Brazil 4:2 Switzerland Germany 2:1 Mexico Sweden 0:0 South Korea Belgium 4:0 Panama Tunisia 0:1 England Poland 2:2 Senegal Colombia 3:1 Japan

Yes, this is arguably going to be the most enjoyable group to watch. All four of these teams can score. Unlike Iran and South Korea, Japan always bring a lot of offensive firepower to the table from Asia. Poland, well we know what they can do with Lewandowski. Colombia and James "don't call me the English sounding form of James" Rodriguez and his running mates. And Senegal have one of the most powerful offenses in all of Africa, led by a man y'all should know well in the Premiere League with Sadio Mane.

Panama looks like a free result for everyone, but Tunisia is the one team that can threaten Belgium or England with an upset. it'd be one of those 'snatch-and-grab' things though as they aren't exactly going to light the house on fire with their offense, but they can defend well.

Iceland haven't even been performing well in friendlies lately though. Granted, they've been dealing with injuries but they had Gylfi back for the Norway friendly and lost at home. Now they have Ghana coming to Reykjavik. No one wants Iceland to succeed more than I do, but I wouldn't bet on much success in this tournament.

Simulated Results: POL 1:2 SEN COL 1:1 JPN JPN 2:1 SEN POL 1:0 COL JPN 0:0 POL SEN 0:2 COL Japan [2-0-1] [5pts.] [3-2] Colombia [1-1-1] [4pts.] [3-2] Poland [1-1-1] [4pts.] [2-2] Senegal [1-2-0] [3pts.] [3-5]

Simulated Results: BEL 4:0 PAN TUN 0:1 ENG BEL 2:0 TUN ENG 1:0 PAN ENG 0:1 BEL PAN 0:0 TUN Belgium [3-0-0] [9pts.] [7-0] England [2-1-0] [6pts.] [2-1] Tunisia [0-2-1] [1pts.] [0-3] Panama [0-2-1] [1pts.] [0-5]

Simulated Results: GER 2:1 MEX SWE 1:1 KOR GER 2:1 SWE KOR 0:2 MEX KOR 0:3 GER MEX 2:1 SWE Germany [3-0-0] [9pts.] [7-2] Mexico [2-1-0] [6pts.] [5-3] Sweden [0-2-1] [1pts.] [3-5] South Korea [0-2-1] [1pts.] [1-6]

They were also in the same group in 2010 South Africa.

Simulated Results: CRC 1:1 SRB BRA 3:3 SUI BRA 1:1 CRC SRB 1:2 SUI SRB 0:1 BRA SUI 3:1 CRC Switzerland [2-0-1] [7pts.] [8-5] Brazil [1-0-2] [5pts.] [5-4] Costa Rica [0-1-2] [2pts.] [3-5] Serbia [0-2-1] [1pts.] [2-4]

This is the "rematch" group because not only are Argentina and Nigeria facing off yet again, but Iceland and Croatia were in the same 2018 WC qualifying group and faced each other in the 2014 WC playoffs. They have a little rivalry going too.

Simulated Results ARG 2:2 ISL CRO 2:1 NGA ARG 1:1 CRO NGA 2:1 ISL ISL 0:1 CRO NGA 0:3 ARG Croatia [2-0-1] [7pts.] [4-2] Argentina [1-0-2] [5pts.] [6-3] Nigeria [1-2-0] [3pts.] [3-6] Iceland [0-2-1] [1pts.] [3-5]

Simulated Results FRA 2:1 AUS PER 1:0 DEN FRA 2:1 PER DEN 3:0 AUS AUS 1:0 PER DEN 1:0 FRA Denmark [2-1-0] [6pts.] [4-1] France [2-1-0] [6pts.] [4-3] Peru [1-2-0] [3pts.] [2-3] Australia [1-2-0] [3pts.] [2-5]

That said, here are the simulated results for this group: MAR 1:1 IRN POR 0:0 ESP POR 0:0 MAR IRN 0:1 ESP IRN 1:2 POR ESP 1:0 MAR Spain [2-0-1] [7pts.] [2-0] Portugal [1-0-2] [5pts.] [2-1] Morocco [0-1-2] [2pts.] [1-2] Iran [0-2-1] [1pts.] [2-4]

I think this group is going to be closer than people think. I'm telling you Morocco and Iran are probably the two of the better non-European/South American teams in the entire tournament and their style of play will likely frustrate the big dogs. I can envision upsets happening.

Simulated Results RUS 3:0 KSA EGY 1:1 URU RUS 0:2 EGY URU 4:0 KSA KSA 0:1 EGY RUS 1:2 URU Uruguay [2-0-1] [7pts.] [7-2] Egypt [2-0-1] [7pts.] [4-1] Russia [1-2-0] [3pts.] [4-4] Saudi Arabia [0-3-0] [0pts.] [0-8]

7.5 ☆ Miss Movin' On 11.0 ☆ Boss 10.0 ☆ Sledgehammer 10.0 ☆ Worth It (feat. Kid Ink) 8.5 ☆ I'm In Love With A Monster 10.0 ☆ Work From Home (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) 9.0 ☆ All In My Head (Flex) (feat. Fetty Wap) 9.5 ☆ That's My Girl 8.5 ☆ Down (feat. Gucci Mane) 9.0 ☆ He Like That xx.x ☆ Por Favor (with Pitbull) 7.0 ☆ Me & My Girls 8.0 ☆ The Life 9.5 ☆ Write On Me 6.5 ☆ Angel 6.0 ☆ Deliver xx.x ☆ Sin Contraco (Remix) (with Maluma)

That said my predictions: A: Uruguay, Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia B: Spain, Morocco, Portugal, Iran C: France, Denmark, Peru, Australia D: Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria, Iceland E: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Costa Rica F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, Korea Republic G: Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama H: Colombia, Poland, Senegal, Japan Round of 16: Morocco over Uruguay, France over Croatia, Brazil over Mexico, Belgium over Poland, Spain over Egypt, Argentina over Denmark, Germany over Switzerland, England over Colombia Quarterfinals: Morocco over France, Brazil over Belgium, Spain over Argentina, Germany over England Semifinals: Brazil over Morocco, Spain over Germany Final: Brazil over Spain

Two factors when making predictions: The darkhorses Peru will be without their captain Guerrero as he been suspended for doping and Iceland may or may not be without four of their top players as they are battling serious injuries and may not be fit.

I'll take 18.

I think Brazil has a lot to prove as far putting that 7-1 loss to Germany behind them, they'll get it done.

My first group by group analysis, leading up to the tournament: Group A Russia // Saudi Arabia // Egypt // Uruguay Russia Analysis: Their last two tournaments (EURO 2016 and 2017 Confederations Cup) were both disasters and recent friendlies have not been encouraging either. The strong EURO 2008 squad has aged into the their mid-30s and most of that squad has been replaced by young players that are not proven as of yet. Key Player: Aleksandr Kokorin (Zenit St. Petersburg) - Having a career year for his club and is third leading scoring in the Europa League. Outlook: 3rd place in group stage Saudi Arabia Analysis: Returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2006, after defeating Japan 1-0 on the last day of Asian Qualifying. Their coach, who led them through the qualifying campaign, left the team shortly after due to a contract dispute. They've gone through a couple of coaches since and have settled on former Chile coach Juan Antonio Pizzi (who led Chile to the 2016 Copa Centenario win). Does he have enough time to become acquainted with his new team? Key Player: Mohammed Al-Sahlawi (Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia) - The 30 year-old was joint top scorer in Asian Qualification and has a flare for dramatic late-goals for his country. Outlook: 4th place in group stage Egypt Analysis: The current Egyptian squad is mostly an unknown to the international stage. The last few World Cup qualifying campaigns have ended in heartbreak, usually at the hands of Ghana. Seemingly, as if the CAF leaders were having a joke on Egypt's account, they were thrust into the same qualifying group as their nemesis...and they destroyed everyone including Ghana. This is a fast-paced young squad that is very fun to watch play; being a new generation that have all developed together. They made to the 2017 African Cup of Nations final and it'll be enjoyable to see if they're ready for the big stage. Key Player: Mo Salah (Liverpool) - Unless you've been living under a rock, you know what Salah has been doing for Liverpool in both the Premier League and Champions League. Some have even said he may be the next Messi/Ronaldo. He can take a major step towards those lofty goals with a breakout tournament here. Outlook: Win the group, lose in Round of 16. Uruguay Analysis: In recent years Uruguay have been a tough team to judge. They finished second to Brazil in South American World Cup Qualifying, but also were dreadful in the last couple Copa America tournaments. They can be a quick-trigger team capable of magnificent goals and attacking football but can also be a slow-footed, bogged-down team that struggles to get results. They are veteran squad that could go on a long run or be ousted in the group stage. wejustdontknow.gif Key Player: Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - Far from a one-man army (Edinson Cavani also leads a potent attack) Suarez is as polarizing a figure in international football as he is skilled. We all remember his biting incidents but he also single-handedly spurred on Uruguay's qualifying campaign. Despite finishing second, knowing what teams would qualify from this region was always in the balance, thank to string of results that can only be described as chaos. Suarez had many big moments to lead Uruguay to Russia. Outlook: Second in the group, lose in Round of 16.

Didn't want to start a new thread but here are the list of the pre-World Cup friendlies for all countries involved in the World Cup Date - Venue - Matchup 5/9 - Cadiz - Algeria vs. Saudi Arabia 5/15 - Seville - Saudi Arabia vs. Greece 5/18 - Tehran - Iran vs. Uzbekistan 5/26 - Kuwait City - Kuwait vs. Egypt 5/28 - Tehran - Iran vs. Turkey 5/28 - Paris - France vs. Ireland 5/28 - Braga - Portugal vs. Tunisia 5/28 - St. Gallen - Italy vs. Saudi Arabia 5/28 - Abuja - Nigeria vs. Congo DR 5/29 - Lima - Peru - vs. Scotland 5/29 - Los Angeles - Mexico vs. Wales 5/29 - Buenos Aries - Argentina vs. Haiti 5/29 - Panama City - Panama vs. Northern Ireland 5/30 - Luxembourg - Luxembourg vs. Senegal 5/30 - Yokohama - Japan vs. Ghana 5/31 - Geneva - Morocco vs. Ukraine 6/1 - St. Polten - Czech Republic vs. Australia 6/1 - Nice - France vs. Italy 6/1 - Sion - Tunisia vs. Turkey 6/1 - Jeonju - South Korea vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina 6/2 - London - England vs. Nigeria 6/2 - Stockholm - Sweden vs. Denmark 6/2 - Reykjavik - Iceland vs. Norway 6/2 - Brussels - Belgium vs. Portugal 6/2 - Klagenfurt - Austria vs. Germany 6/2 - St. Gall - Saudi Arabia vs. Peru 6/3 - Mexico City - Mexico vs. Scotland 6/3 - Liverpool - Brazil vs. Croatia 6/3 - Villarreal - Spain vs. Switzerland 6/3 - San Jose - Costa Rica vs. Northern Ireland 6/4 - Geneva - Morocco vs. Slovakia 6/4 - Moscow - Russia vs. Turkey 6/6 - Brussels - Belgium vs. Egypt 6/6 - Oslo - Norway vs. Panama 6/6 - St. Polten - Czech Republic vs. Nigeria 6/7 - Leeds - England vs. Costa Rica 6/7 - Lisbon - Portugal vs. Algeria 6/7 - Reykjavik - Iceland vs. Ghana 6/7 - TBD - South Korea vs. Bolivia 6/8 - Lugano - Switzerland vs. Japan 6/8 - Leverkusen - Germany vs. Saudi Arabia 6/8 - Montevideo - Uruguay vs. Uzbekistan 6/8 - Osijek - Croatia vs. Senegal 6/8 - Tehran - Iran vs. Lithuania 6/8 - Lugano - Switzerland vs. Japan 6/8 - Poznan - Poland vs. Chile 6/9 - Gothenburg - Sweden vs. Peru 6/9 - Budapest - Hungary vs. Australia 6/9 - Brondby - Denmark vs. Mexico 6/9 - Lyon - France vs. USA 6/9 - Krasnodar - Spain vs. Tunisia 6/9 - Tallinn - Estonia vs. Morocco 6/10 - Vienna - Austria vs. Brazil 6/11 - TBD - South Korea vs. Senegal 6/12 - Innsbruck - Paraguay vs. Japan 6/12 - Warsaw - Poland vs. Lithuania

And I thought my -1s were going to be controversial. Yikes.