So, predicting the top two in the various World Cup groups should be fairly straightforward right?
Well, in most cases, yes, but as many writers with football knowledge have found out over the years, nothing is guaranteed in international football.
Take Greece’s triumph at Euro 2004, for example, when they emerged champions instead of the all-conquering France, rejuvenated Holland and exciting host nation Portugal.
Fast forward to Euro 2016 (and I am only using a few examples here) when Iceland caused the most embarrassing result in England’s history.
And, of course, the last World Cup in Russia stunned me as the reigning world champions Germany were eliminated at this very stage by South Korea.
With a new format (more teams than ever before participating and only two qualifying for the knockout stages from each group), some of the predictions could be tough to call.
Yet as far as Groups A-D are concerned, I’m going to give it a damn good go!
In Group A, host nation Qatar will bring colour and excitement to the party but I cannot see them coming too close to reaching the last 16, even with a tidal wave of support.
Likewise, Ecuador have only reached the last 16 once – in 2006 when they were narrowly beaten by England – but they are ranked 44th best nation in the world for a reason (Qatar are 49th) which is why I am plumping for African champions Senegal to seal second spot behind Louis van Gaal’s Holland.
Under the wily veteran van Gaal, the Dutch are an exciting prospect and will want to do much better than in last summer’s Euro 2020 when they went out at the last 16 to the Czech Republic.
This time I cannot see past them as table toppers and for me the teams to progress will be:
Group A: 1, Holland; 2, Senegal.
Group B is also straightforward to call as far as I am concerned with the British Isles’ pairing of England and Wales having far too much for Iran and the United States.
The match between the latter will no doubt evoke memories of their clash at France 98 which was described at the time as the “mother of all games” and the “most politically charged game in World Cup history”.
Yet I still do not believe it will be anything but a contest to avoid finishing bottom of Group B.
Yes, the two nations are ranked 14th and 23rd in the world rankings – the States above Wales – but they should not be able to beat a side which has reached its first World Cup Finals since 1958.
After waiting so long to secure a place at the biggest sporting show in earth in 2022, Wales will certainly not want to be brief visitors to the party.
The Welsh should not be able to finish ahead of England, even after their wobbles at home to Italy and Hungary last month in the UEFA Nations League – in truth, few appeared interested in those games at the end of an arduous campaign.
Though we should remember that, despite losing 2-1 to England in the group stages at Euro 2016, Wales ended up topping the group and going all the way to the semi-finals.
My prediction is:
Group B: 1, England; 2, Wales.
With Group C, I am going to plump for the South and North Americans.
Argentina, runners-up in 2014, reached the tournament with plenty to spare and will want to fare better than four years ago in Russia when they bowed out to eventual winners France after the game of the tournament.
It is easy to dismiss Saudi Arabia and they should be no pushovers but, realistically, the other qualifying berth should come down to a battle between Mexico and Poland.
The latter possess a man who, alongside Karim Benzema, has been as prolific a frontman as they come in recent years and this will likely be Robert Lewandowski’s international swansong.
It is actually 1986 since Poland last emerged from the group stages and I think Mexico, who have so often produced exciting World Cup highlights, will pip them this time too.
Group C: 1, Argentina; 2, Mexico.
And so onto Group D where the reigning world champions France will meet Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.
Denmark may have had more talented groups of players than the class of 2022 but, remember, they were the story of Euro 2020, recovering from the almost tragic tale of Christian Eriksen to produce some heart-warming moments and come within a whisker of reaching the final.
Let’s be honest, it was a shocking decision which robbed them against England in the semi-final and they deserve a rub of the green at this level.
Will they get it? Who knows, but they should have too much for spirited Tunisia and the Australians, ranked 39th in the world.
Group D: 1, France; 2, Denmark.
Don’t take my word for it though – study the SBOTOP World Cup betting odds.
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