Category: WORLD CUP

Check out my group previews for a more in-depth look

Thanks to Telegraph.Co.UK for their awesome world cup predictor tool. Fill out your own bracket by clicking the link.

                                              

Group G

The Teams

 Belgium (FIFA Rank: 3rd, 7-1-0 in last year)
 Panama (FIFA Rank: 55th, 5-2-6 in last year)
 Tunisia (FIFA Rank: 21st, 4-4-1 in last year)
 England (FIFA Rank: 12th, 7-1-0 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Belgium vs Panama – 11 AM on 6/18, FS1
Tunisia vs England – 2 PM on 6/18, FS1
Belgium vs Tunisia – 8 AM on 6/23, Fox
England vs Panama – 8 AM on 6/24, FS1
Panama vs Tunisia – 2 PM on 6/28, TBD (Fox/FS1)
England vs Belgium – 2 PM on 6/28, TBD (Fox/FS1)

Preview/Picks

This group is a two-team race for first between the two European sides here, any other result would be a major shock to me. Tunisia forward Youssef Msakni is out with an injury, and while Panama making it out of the group stage in their first ever World Cup appearance would be a great story, I just don’t see it as a realistic possibility. That means the main match to watch in this group will take place on the final matchday, June 28th, as England and Belgium square off to see who will get a better draw in the knockout stage. Both are 7-1-0 in the past year, and the two sides have faced off just once this century, a 1-0 English win in a friendly back in 2012. This should be one of the best matches of the entire group stage, doubly important because it takes place on the final matchday of the group stage. I ended up taking a draw in that match and picked Belgium to win the group on goal difference because of the veteran leadership on the side of The Red Devils, but this group really could go either way.

 Belgium – 7 points
 England – 7 points
 Tunisia – 3 points
 Panama – 0 points

Group H

The Teams

 Poland (FIFA Rank: 8th, 5-1-2 in last year)
 Senegal (FIFA Rank: 27th, 6-6-2 in last year)
 Colombia (FIFA Rank: 16th, 1-5-1 in last year)
 Japan (FIFA Rank: 61st, 4-1-5 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Colombia vs Japan – 8 AM on 6/19, FS1
Poland vs Senegal – 11 AM on 6/19, Fox
Japan vs Senegal – 11 AM on 6/24, Fox
Poland vs Colombia – 2 PM on 6/24, Fox
Japan vs Poland – 10 AM on 6/28, TBD (Fox or FS1)
Colombia vs Senegal – 10AM on 6/28, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Preview/Picks

The final group in this preview is also one of the most cloudy to predict. Poland, Senegal, and Colombia have combined for just five losses in their combined 29 matches over the past year, and while Japan does not seem likely to advance, their quick style of play should make these games that much more fun to watch. Robert Lewandowski (Poland) had the most goals of anyone in world cup qualifying, netting 16 over the long UEFA process. Any of these top three could win the group, but Senegal vs Colombia on the final matchday will probably be the most pivotal match in the group with a potential winner advances scenario unfolding. Senegal has only been in the world cup once, a 2002 run to the quarterfinals, and I think they pull off that magic again and shock the world by advancing through to the knockout stage again.

 Poland – 6 points
 Senegal – 6 points
 Colombia – 6 points
 Japan – 0 points

Group E

The Teams

 Brazil (FIFA Rank: 2nd, 6-2-0 in last year)
 Switzerland (FIFA Rank: 6th, 7-2-1 in last year)
 Costa Rica (FIFA Rank: 23rd, 6-3-5 in last year)
 Serbia (FIFA Rank: 34th, 5-0-3 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Costa Rica vs Serbia – 8 AM on 6/17, Fox
Brazil vs Switzerland – 2 PM on 6/17, FS1
Brazil vs Costa Rica – 8 AM on 6/22, FS1
Serbia vs Switzerland – 2PM on 6/22, Fox
Serbia vs Brazil – 2PM on 6/27, TBD (Fox or FS1)
Switzerland vs Costa Rica – 2PM on 6/27, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Preview/Picks

This group is obviously headlined by Brazil and a returning Neymar, and barring a disastrous injury, Seleção should make it through to the knockout stage. Where this group gets interesting though, is the tight battle for second. Will it be red hot Switzerland, a Costa Rica team that made the quarterfinals in the 2014 World Cup, or will it be Serbia, playing in their first tournament under new manager Mladen Krstajić? Any game not involving Brazil in this group stage will be must watch, as I could see any of these three making it into the knockout rounds, but I will have to go with Switzerland as my pick to make it through. Led by Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, I have Switzerland just barely edging out Serbia and Costa Rica on goal difference after a draw between Switzerland and Costa Rica on the final matchday of the group stage.

 Brazil – 9 points
 Switzerland – 2 points
 Serbia – 2 points
 Costa Rica – 2 points

Group F

The Teams

 Germany (FIFA Rank: 1st, 9-2-2 in last year)
 Mexico (FIFA Rank: 15th, 10-4-6 in last year)
 Sweden (FIFA Rank: 24th, 3-3-4 in last year)
 South Korea (FIFA Rank: 57th, 5-5-4 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Germany vs Mexico – 11 AM on 6/17, FS1
Sweden vs South Korea – 8 AM on 6/18, FS1
South Korea vs Mexico – 11 AM on 6/23, Fox
Germany vs Sweden – 2 PM on 6/23, Fox
Mexico vs Sweden – 10 AM on 6/27, TBD (Fox or FS1)
South Korea vs Germany – 10 AM on 6/27, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Preview/Picks

Germany looks to avoid the infamous trope of the previous World Cup champion losing in the group stage that plagued Italy and Spain in 2010 and 2014 respectively. This German side is arguably the best in the tournament despite over half of the team being new from that 2014 World Cup champion squad. The top contender to unseat Germany in this group will be El Tri, Mexico. Mexico had just one loss in the hexagonal CONCACAF Qualifying. Mexico won the gold medal for soccer in the 2012 Olympics and reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup. Mexico’s top challenger to advance will be Sweeden, making the matchup between the two sides on the final matchday of the tournament ultra important. In that decisive match I’m taking Mexico on the backs of their attacking midfield that netted them 16 goals in CONCACAF qualifying, second only to the United State’s 17.

 Germany – 7 points
 Mexico – 7 points
 Sweden – 3 points
 South Korea – 0 points

Note: The tournament kicks off on 6/14, so for the last year I include games from 6/14/17 to present

Group C

The Teams

 France (FIFA Rank: 7th, 6-2-1 in last year)
 Australia (FIFA Rank: 36th, 4-4-3 in last year)
 Peru (FIFA Rank: 11th, 6-3-0 in last year)
 Denmark (FIFA Rank: 12th, 6-4-0 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

France vs Australia – 6 AM on 6/16, FS1
Peru vs Denmark – 12 PM on 6/16, FS1
Denmark vs Australia – 8 AM on 6/21, FS1
France vs Peru – 11 AM on 6/21, Fox
Denmark vs France – 10 AM on 6/26, TBD (Fox or FS1)
Australia vs Peru – 10 AM on 6/26, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Preview/Picks

Group C may be the best in the tournament as 3 of the top 12 nations in the world were placed in this one group: Denmark, France, and Peru. France will be the clear favorite to win the group, and the other squad to advance will likely be determined on the opening day of play for the group, 6/16, as Denmark will face Paolo Guerrero and Peru. These two teams are separated by just one spot in the FIFA Rankings, and that match should be a barnburner, both squads haven’t lost a match in over a year and a half. As for Austalia, the Socceroos seem like a longshot to make it out of the group stage. France may be the clear favorite, but that does not by any means make them impervious to a potential upset from either the Danish or Peruvian sides, I just believe that skill will win the day for the French. Denmark and Peru would both by dangerous draws for the Group D winner in the knockout stage, but I have to give the edge to Denmark on goal difference. I see Peru beating Denmark on matchday one, then falling to France and drawing with Austalia, leaving the door open for Denmark to beat Australia and draw with France and advance.

 France – 7 points
 Denmark – 4 points
 Peru – 4 points
 Australia – 1 point

Group D

The Teams

 Argentina (FIFA Rank: 5th, 3-3-1 in last year)
 Iceland (FIFA Rank: 22nd, 3-1-4 in last year)
 Croatia (FIFA Rank: 20th, 5-2-3 in last year)
 Nigeria (FIFA Rank: 48th, 8-4-5 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Argentina vs Iceland – 9 AM, 6/16 on Fox
Croatia vs Nigeria – 3 PM, 6/16 on FS1
Argentina vs Croatia – 2 PM, 6/21 on Fox
Nigeria vs Iceland – 11 AM, 6/22 on Fox
Nigeria vs Argentina – 2PM, 6/26 on TBD (Fox/FS1)
Iceland vs Croatia – 2 PM, 6/26 on TBD (Fox/FS1)

Preview/Picks

Of the four groups on the top half of the bracket, this might be the most interesting to me, as I think all four teams in this group have a realistic shot of advancing. Argentina is capable of a run all the way to the finals, and each of the other three wouldn’t feel out of place in the knockout stage either. Argentina, despite being one of the most talented teams in the world, has struggled to put it all together in tournament play, losing to Chile in the Copa America Finals in 2015 and 2017, both on penalties, as well as losing 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup Finals against Germany. Maybe this will finally be the year. Iceland is one of the best stories in sports as the smallest country to ever make the World Cup. Croatia is one of the most up and down nations in world football, they lost to Estonia but beat Spain at points in the past two years. Finally, Nigeria returns to the world stage for the third straight cycle. The Super Eagles beat projected group winner Argentina 4-2 in November (although Argentina was without Messi). This may be the most competitive battle to advance in the tournament.

 Argentina – 5 points
 Croatia – 5 points
 Nigeria – 3 points
 Iceland – 1 point

Note: The tournament kicks off on 6/14, so for the last year I include games from 6/14/17 to present

Group A

The Teams

 Russia (FIFA Rank: 70th, 1-1-5 in last year)
 Saudi Arabia (FIFA Rank: 67th, 5-2-7 in last year)
 Egypt (FIFA Rank: 45th, 2-4-5 in last year)
 Uruguay (FIFA Rank: 14th, 5-2-0 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Russia vs Saudi Arabia – 11 AM on 6/14, Fox
Egypt vs Uruguay – 8 AM on 6/15, FS1
Russia vs Egypt – 2 PM on 6/19, Fox
Uruguay vs Saudi Arabia – 11 AM on 6/20, Fox
Uruguay vs Russia – 10 AM on 5/25, TBD (Fox or FS1)
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt – 10 AM on 5/25, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Preview/Picks

Uruguay is an easy pick to go through to the knockout stage, but after that things get a little cloudy. This is one of the weaker groups in World Cup history, with three teams outside of the FIFA Top 40 and the two lowest ranked teams in the field all in the same group. Hosts Russia will be the favorite in the first game of the Cup against Saudi Arabia on 6/14 (although I see a draw likely), but the eventual question of who will advance to the round of 16 is likely to be decided on 6/19 as the hosts take on Egypt. The Pharaohs would be an easy pick to advance through normally, but given the competition is taking place in Russia and star midfielder Mohamed Elneny not at full strength after an injury in the Champion’s League. Russia hasn’t won a match since they faced New Zealand on 6/17/2017, and I see their poor form continuing, drawing twice and losing to Uruguay, leading Egypt advancing with 4 points.

 Uruguay – 9 points
 Egypt – 4 points
 Russia – 2 points
 Saudi Arabia – 1 point

Group B

The Teams

 Portugal (FIFA Rank: 4th, 9-3-2 in last year)
 Spain (FIFA Rank: 10th, 6-2-0 in last year)
 Morocco (FIFA Rank: 41st, 14-3-0 in last year)
 Iran (FIFA Rank: 37th, 4-2-2 in last year)

The Schedule (All times Eastern)

Morocco vs Iran – 11 AM on 6/15, Fox
Portugal vs Spain – 2 PM on 6/15, Fox
Portugal vs Morocco – 8 AM on 6/20, FS1
Iran vs Spain – 2 PM on 6/20, Fox
Iran vs Portugal – 2 PM on 6/25, TBD (Fox or FS1)
Spain vs Morocco – 2 PM on 6/25, TBD (Fox or FS1)

Preview/Picks

We’ve got a rivalry on the Iberian Peninsula as #4 in the world Portugal drew neighbor Spain in what will be one of the best games of the group stage on June 15th, the two sides haven’t met since the Euro 2012 semis where Spain advanced on penalties. Spain and Protugal are seemingly on another level from the rest of the group as both Iran and Morocco are longshots to advance. Iran made the tournament back in 2014, but Morocco was more of a surprise as they went on a tear in Cup qualifying. Morocco has not lost a game since Day 1 of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying in a 1-0 loss to Cameroon over a year ago. Portugal, winners of the Euro Cup 2016, were knocked out of the Confederations Cup in a semifinal loss to Chile and could only muster a draw with Tunisia on 5/28. That game on 6/20 will be must watch and one of the biggest opportunities for an upset this tournament.

 Spain – 7 points
 Portugal – 5 points
 Morocco – 4 points
 Iran – 0 points

GROUP A

Russia

FIFA Ranking: #63
Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov (Since 2016)
Formation: 3-5-2
Qualified via: Being the 2018 World Cup Hosts

This is a vastly inexperienced Russian side, but they have the home field advantage. Alan Dzagoev and Roman Zobnin will miss the cup due to injuries, but if they are to have any chance of qualifying they will need to beat New Zealand on Saturday. Fyodor Smolov will provide the offensive firepower. Smolov scored 18 goals in 22 games last season on FC Krasnodar. A 3-0 win over Hungary and a 1-1 draw in a friendly vs world #4 Chile gives me some hope, but it would take a lot for the national team to advance to the Knockout Stage.

New Zealand

FIFA Ranking: #95
Coach: Anthony Hudson (Since 2014)
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Qualified via: 2016 OFC Nations Cup

Don’t let the ranking dictate your thoughts on the All-Whites, New Zealand has serious talent, their ranking is weighed down by playing in the OFC, but there are legitimate stars on this New Zealand team. Chris Wood scored 27 goals for Leeds last season, carrying them to promotion. Anthony Hudson was a great hire, and late last year the All-Whites pulled off a draw against the US. Now, it’s maybe a few cycles to early for New Zealand to make a massive mark in the national scene, but don’t be surprised if they pull off a few points over significantly higher-ranked opponents.

Portugal

FIFA Ranking: #8
Coach: Fernando Santo (Since 2014)
Formation: 4-2-2-2
Qualified via: UEFA Euro 2016

Portugal is coming into this tournament straight off of the biggest moment in the history of Portuguese football, the 2016 Euro Cup championship. During the Euros, the Portuguese didn’t win a single game in normal time, but still came out with the trophy. Since winning the Euro, the Selecção das Quinas have gone 7-2, with the two losses being to Sweeden and Switzerland. André Silva and Christiano Ronaldo are one of the best goal scoring combinations in international football, and they should lead Portugal out of the group stage and into the knockout stage of the confederations cup.

Mexico

FIFA Ranking: #17
Coach: Juan Carlos Osorio (Since 2015)
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Qualified via: 2015 CONCACAF Cup

El Tri is an interesting side as we approach the 2017 Confederations Cup. Mexico is the only team to have previously won a Confederations Cup (El Tri won it in 1999) and the Mexicans have the most experience of any team in the tournament, having appeared in six Confederations Cups, Australia and New Zealand are tied for second as each have three, but Mexico comes in off of a dissapointing result, a 1-1 draw with the United States in World Cup Qualifying. I still think Chicharito can lead them to a semifinal appearance, but I’m not as confident as before.

Date (Time in EST)	Match	Prediction
Jun 17 (11 am)	Russia vs New Zealand	2-0 Russia
Jun 18 (11 am)	Portugal vs Mexico	2-1 Portugal
Jun 21 (11 am)	Russia vs Portugal	3-0 Portugal
Jun 21 (2 pm)	Mexico vs New Zealand	2-1 Mexico
Jun 24 (11 am)	Mexico vs Russia	1-1 Draw
Jun 24 (11 am)	New Zealand vs Portugal	4-0 Portugal

Portugal and Mexico advance

GROUP B

Australia

FIFA Ranking: #48
Coach: Ange Postecoglou (Since 2013)
Formation: 4-3-3
Qualified via: 2015 AFC Asian Cup

The Socceroos represented Oceania three times in this tournament, but this is the first representing Asia. In their three previous appearances, the Aussies made it to the knockout stage twice. In the Past year, Australia split a pair of freindlies with Greece, went 4-4-0 in World Cup qualifying, and most recently got killed 4-0 by Brazil. The Aussies were riding high after their Aisian Cup win and their undefeated streak in World Cup qualifying, but the loss to Brazil may have stopped their momentum to a halt.

Cameroon

FIFA Ranking: #32
Coach: Hugo Broos (Since 2016)
Formation: 4-3-3
Qualified via: 2017 Africa Cup of Nations

Cameroon has dominated African football for what seems like forever. Over the past two years, the Indomitable Lions have lost just one competitive match, and that took extra time. However, outside of Africa the Lions have struggled. During those two years, Cameroon only played two cross-confederation friendlies, a 3-2 loss to France, and a 4-0 loss to Colombia. Cameroon probably won’t advance, but AFCON Player of the Tournament Christian Bassogog should lead the Lions to a few points.

Chile

FIFA Ranking: #4
Coach: Juan Antonio Pizzi (Since 2016)
Formation: 4-3-3
Qualified via: 2015 Copa América

Chile is on a bit of a hot streak in tournaments. In 2015 they shocked the world by beating Urugauay in the quarters and then Argentina in the finals to win their first Copa. The next year, in the Copa América Centenario they did it again. Crushing Mexico 7-0 in the quarterfinals, and then beating Colombia in the semis, before for the second straight year beating Argentina on penalties to win the Copa. Chile has thrived in international tourneys, also bringing in the lesser-known China Cup over China, Croatia, and Iceland. Alexis Sanchez is one of the best players in this tournament, and he will lead La Roja into the knockout stage.

Germany

FIFA Ranking: #3
Coach: Joachim Löw (Since 2006)
Formation: 3-2-3-2
Qualified via: 2014 World Cup

A side such as Germany would naturally be the favorite in this tournament, but German manager Joachim Löw is sending a mainly experimental squad to Russia. Only three members of the 2014 World Cup Champions side find their way onto Löw’s side for this tournament. Germany becomes a hard team to predict without their stars. but this side beat San Marino 3-0 on Saturday. Even without their stars, Germany should advance to the semis, but I don’t see this young squad making it into the Confederations Cup final.

Date (Time in EST)	Match	Prediction
Jun 17 (2 pm)	Cameroon vs Chile	2-0 Chile
Jun 19 (11 am)	Australia vs Germany	2-1 Germany
Jun 22 (11 am)	Cameroon vs Australia	1-1 Draw
Jun 22 (2 pm)	Germany vs Chile	1-0 Chile
Jun 23 (11 am)	Germany vs Cameroon	2-0 Germany
Jun 23 (11 am)	Chile vs Australia	2-0 Chile

 Chile and Germany advance

CONFEDERATIONS CUP KNOCKOUT STAGE

	Semi-finals				Final
	28 June — Kazan
	Portugal	2
					2 July — Saint Petersburg
	Germany	1
					Portugal	1
	29 June — Sochi
					Chile	1 (Chile wins on PK’s)
	Chile	3
	Mexico	0
					Third place play-off
					2 July — Moscow
					Germany	1 (a.e.t.)
					Mexico	0

Above are my predictions for the knockout stage of the 2016 Copa America.

Here is my projected knockout round bracket for 1) who qualifies and 2) who wins.