Is it too soon to start asking who people think are going to win the World Cup?
I have a feeling that Belgium might be in contention. :033: Their potential starting line up is just quality from top to bottom:
Cortouis,
Vertonghen Kompany Van Buyten Vermaelen
Chadli Dembele De Bruyne Mirallas
Lukaku Hazard
That line up is excluding such names as: Mignolet, Defour, Auderweld, Fellaini and Januzaj.
Brazil. They have the home field advantage and the talent. Neymar, Willian, Oscar, Hulk and Fred as well as Thiago Silva, Dante and David Luis at the back. They'll have the advantage in every game they play, adjusted to the heat and with the majority of the crowd on their side.
I can't see anybody touching Brazil, and they'll win their 6th World Cup.
I don't know how to embed videos but... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-rI2RST_CY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-rI2RST_CY)
Doubt it will be anyone except a South American side except an outside chance Spain or Germany. Belgium possibly if they play to their potential.
I know there is all the hype about South American teams having the advantage because of European teams not being able to hack the heat etc but surely the teams will be training over the coming weeks in an appropriate location to be adjusted to play in the heat and build their stamina to cope with the demands.
The final will be played before 220,000 rabid Brazil fans. The only way Brazil loses is early. If they get to the round of 16 they'll win it all.
I have a suspicion that Brazil won't win it. I'm not liking some of Scolaris player choices. I think he's left out some quality players who have had a great season, i.e Diego Alves, Miranda, Luisao, among others. Anyway, I don't think they'll win it. It's got to be a south american team to win though. If not, Spain would be the logical choice.
I have a slap bet with my brother that Belgium will get to the semi's on the Euro 2016. Think they have a great chance. I don't think they'll get that far in the world cup though.
Quote from: mikeyffc28 on May 16, 2014, 04:44:35 PM
I know there is all the hype about South American teams having the advantage because of European teams not being able to hack the heat etc but surely the teams will be training over the coming weeks in an appropriate location to be adjusted to play in the heat and build their stamina to cope with the demands.
No European side has won it when staged in South America.
And they want do this time either..
For me Belgium has no chance despite the talent they have they just have not gelled and do not have a proper top 5 in the world striker. I'd go for Brazil, Spain, Germany with an outside bet on Argentina - but who knows?
I don't rate Brazil this time relative to other world cups, not as strong a squad and Big Phil is not everyone's cup of tea.
That said, the home support will be phenomenal and will count for a lot. Best chance of any of the South Armerican teams.
From the Europeans, Spain and Germany are the best bets. Belgium are the dark horses. England are the no-hopers...
Spain, Germany, Brazil & Argentina are the favourites.
I also expect Belgium, England & Chile to do well.
Some quality teams in this world cup the toughest one yet I think.
I'll say Brazil but I'll be supporting Belgium. England are pony, and any team with Milner and Cleverly in it, deserves to lose in the opening stages.
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Brazil. Fact!,.....IMHO.
Would love to see Belgium win it. They have the talent to do it, but I think they'll come up short of confidence against a bigger, more experienced team eventually.
Quote from: BigbadBillyMcKinley on May 16, 2014, 08:05:12 PM
I'll say Brazil but I'll be supporting Belgium. England are pony, and any team with Milner and Cleverly in it, deserves to lose in the opening stages.
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Errrr Cleverley didn't make the squad....
Brazil have a clear advantage but I don't rate Scolari and all the pressure is on them to win it. I think Argentina are a good bet- their forward line of Messi, Aguero and Higuain is terrifying. I can't see any team keeping them out.
Go Dejagah! Go Iran!
CHI CHI CHI, LE LE LE, VIVA CHILE!!!
I'll be rooting for the US, but also following all Fulham players. I hope Ashkan has a brilliant tourney. Go Iran!!!!!!
Quote from: Macedo on May 16, 2014, 04:55:41 PM
Quote from: mikeyffc28 on May 16, 2014, 04:44:35 PM
I know there is all the hype about South American teams having the advantage because of European teams not being able to hack the heat etc but surely the teams will be training over the coming weeks in an appropriate location to be adjusted to play in the heat and build their stamina to cope with the demands.
No European side has won it when staged in South America.
And they want do this time either..
:plus one:
Think the Dutch have been underestimated here. A lot of young prospects in the squad but nevertheless still a force to be reckoned with. They'll play a lot nicer football this time around too.
Edit: Although having said that, I've just looked at their group and seen Spain in it meaning they'll probably finish second which will give them a knockout tie versus Brasil which won't end well. So scrap that shout.
Quote from: TWFL on May 17, 2014, 11:08:09 AM
Think the Dutch have been underestimated here. A lot of young prospects in the squad but nevertheless still a force to be reckoned with. They'll play a lot nicer football this time around too.
Edit: Although having said that, I've just looked at their group and seen Spain in it meaning they'll probably finish second which will give them a knockout tie versus Brasil which won't end well. So scrap that shout.
Really.....?! I think their squad is worse than ours! Full of average players like Ron Vlaar (their best defender!), Dirk Kuyt, Leroy Fer...and players who couldn't cut it in the PL like Karim Rekik and Patrick Van Aanholt. I'd be surprised if they made it pas the group stages.
Just gunna put it out there because no one else has yet. must be one of the first times the England team doesn't have the pressure of the whole country's expectations to win on them, we always think , this time we could do it. But with the squad of youngsters and our tough group the feeling is different. So the pressure is off( for the time being). Also surely us fulham fans deserve some reward from the footballing gods for going week in week out this past year....
Quote from: TWFL on May 17, 2014, 11:08:09 AM
Think the Dutch have been underestimated here. A lot of young prospects in the squad but nevertheless still a force to be reckoned with. They'll play a lot nicer football this time around too.
Edit: Although having said that, I've just looked at their group and seen Spain in it meaning they'll probably finish second which will give them a knockout tie versus Brasil which won't end well. So scrap that shout.
Also, I don't think their young prospects match ours.
We completely underestimate the quality we have, and if there's anybody that can get a group of written off underdogs to perform,... it's Roy Hodgson.
Quote from: theFFCfan on May 17, 2014, 02:53:04 PM
Just gunna put it out there because no one else has yet. must be one of the first times the England team doesn't have the pressure of the whole country's expectations to win on them, we always think , this time we could do it. But with the squad of youngsters and our tough group the feeling is different. So the pressure is off( for the time being). Also surely us fulham fans deserve some reward from the footballing gods for going week in week out this past year....
I really don't understand why we're often touted as being one of the teams to win it. We've done nothing of note in an international tournament since Venables was manager. We have one world class player in Rooney, and even then he doesn't do it at international level any more. We'll struggle past the group and then get ironed out by one of the big guns. Which is standard for us!
[quote author=BigbadBillyMcKinley link=topic=39625.msg536013#msg536013 date=year..
I really don't understand why we're often touted as being one of the teams to win it. We've done nothing of note in an international tournament since Venables was manager. We have one world class player in Rooney, and even then he doesn't do it at international level any more. We'll struggle past the group and then get ironed out by one of the big guns. Which is standard for us!
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Because we have the best league in the world, and it's just the English mindset. We believe we can do it, we love an underdog, and let's be honest we always have been one. Plus this year, Fulham fans need something to cheer about ....
Quote from: theFFCfan on May 17, 2014, 03:11:53 PM
[quote author=BigbadBillyMcKinley link=topic=39625.msg536013#msg536013 date=year..
I really don't understand why we're often touted as being one of the teams to win it. We've done nothing of note in an international tournament since Venables was manager. We have one world class player in Rooney, and even then he doesn't do it at international level any more. We'll struggle past the group and then get ironed out by one of the big guns. Which is standard for us!
Because we have the best league in the world, and it's just the English mindset. We believe we can do it, we love an underdog, and let's be honest we always have been one. Plus this year, Fulham fans need something to cheer about ....
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Yeah, the best league but mostly foreign players. Something neds to be done to maximise the amount of English players in the top flight. We won't progress otherwise.
It's winter in Brazil, so unless you're playing in the Northeast or in Manaus, it won't be that hot.
I like Germany's draw. They should win Group G and get a favorable R16 matchup, and a lot of the heavyweight sides are on the other side of the draw from them.
Going for a big each way bet on France at 25/1.
Watch how they win their Group with ease and go on to a France/Argentina final at 50/1!
I think Chile have a great chance and are a team I will be putting money on..... One tournament too soon for Belgium imo.
England have a great squad for the first time in ages.... youth, pace and creativity, I think we will get through our group but will go out in the quarters.
France are a very decent shout from the European teams
Chile are on current form probably better than Argentina and Belgium.They were really impressive in qualifiers(and if Sampaoli had been there the whole qualification process they would have won the CONMEBOL eliminatorias without breaking a sweat) and friendlies(Drew with Brazil in Brazil,outplayed and almost beat Spain,won at Wembley and outplayed Germany IN Germany,but somehow managed to lose 1-0 due to very poor finishing).They do have an extremely tough draw but if they win their group of death(which I think they will) they could easily reach the semis/final.Otherwise they'll be eliminated by Brazil in 1/8 fin.I'll certainly be rooting for them.
Argentina have an easy draw and I fully expect them to reach at least the semifinals.Colombia ,who are very well organized,and Uruguay with their "garra charrúa" are also very good shouts.
Belgium do have a fantastic team,but they have become a bit of a bubble recently.Their Time will come in 2018.
Brazil will most likely win this though.
Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Argentina, Belgium and Italy will all expect to do well - and that's the beauty of the tournament, because half of those teams will have been knocked out in the quarter final stage at the very latest.
I'd love to see Belgium win and obviously it would be fantastic if England could make it out of a tough group and go on a little bit of a run. But both are teams with one eye on the future.
I really think this is going to be total South American show. They seem to have the best teams this time around, their home and if the anti WC riots in Brazil don't get in the way it could be 3-4 South American teams in the semis. Germany is always Germany but I don't think they have enough attack. Italy falls down too much & Spain will prove the last few years have been an aberration & they'll return to failure. I don't understand the belief in France at all. I like Belgium but they are probably two years early & likely don't have the depth. The Dutch, to me, are on a bit of a down cycle. England? God save the queen. It possible that there will be no English speaking squads in the knockout phase. The poor Aussies are lambs to the slaughter and we Yanks are likely sheep to the slaughter. we have a small chance of getting out of group but not much more. You English are slightly better off because you have Roy and some good youngsters. If any of the three get out of group I don't think any will see the quarters.
It will not be a good cup this time around. :012:
vidal just had an operation, and hes one of their key players. hopefully he will be fit.
If its not a South American team that wins it, I would put my money on Germany.