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Just kidding, I kind of suck.
Not to worry @Raduziel. Sucking at it didnt hold me back - apparently....
This world cup is getting weider by the hour. Gary Lineker will perhaps be forced to recant his famous words about Germany - and off course do so with a smile on his face
The result is actually the worst conceivable ... for Mexico! Any other result would have meant they were now qualified for the round of 16.
But Sweden now has to defeat Mexico in the last match to progress to the second round, and Germany will probably defeat the Republic of Korea. These results will leave Mexico, Sweden and Germany with 6 points each, and the team with the worst score is out of the world cup.
Come on England! I won't say anything to gynx it, but when you have games where you're the obvious favourite, it's not just about winning, but about how you win. Like Russia's opening game, those goals were actually really good... Any team that can win the world cup, must be able to win convincingly against the smaller teams.
Edit: Come on Panama, you can play better than this and don't need to be aggressive, hold your heads up and play your best, you owe it to all your fans who have travelled so far.
Japan vs Senegal: 2-2. That's good result for Poland. Even if we draw with Colombia we still have the chance to be in 1/8 if we beat Japan. But... I don't want to push luck. We need to beat Colombia, period.
Anyway, here's my predictions for the final group series:
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-2 Uruguay vs. Russia: 1-1 Iran vs. Portugal: 0-2 Spain vs. Morocco: 3-1 Australia vs. Peru: 1-0 Denmark vs. France: 0-1 Nigeria vs. Argentina: 2-1 Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-2 Mexico vs. Sweden: 0-0 South Korea vs. Germany: 0-2 Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 1-0 Serbia vs. Brazil: 1-3 Senegal vs. Colombia: 1-1 Japan vs. Poland: 1-2 England vs. Belgium: 2-2 Panama vs. Tunisia: 1-1
Predictions for the last round of the group stage:
Group A (Monday)
Uruguay - Russia: 1-1 Russia just needs one point to win the group and get the (supposedly) easier match in the round of 16.
Saudi Arabia - Egypt: 1-2 None of these teams have anything to play for except the honor. I think Egypt will handle this best.
Group B (Monday)
Spain - Morocco: 2-0 Spain needs at least one point to secure their place in the round of 16. Morocco is already out and can't prevent Spain from getting all three points.
Iran - Portugal: 0-2 Iran can still progress with a win, or with a draw if Spain loses against Morocco. But Portugal takes all three points in a bid for the first place.
Group C (Tuesday)
Australia - Peru: 1-2 Peru has nothing to play except honor - but they will want to die with their boots on!
Denmark - France: 1-1 Denmark needs a point to qualify for the round of 16, France is already through. If Denmark loses, Australia could beat Peru and nick the 2nd place in the group from us.
Group D (Tuesday)
Nigeria - Argentina: 2-1 This is a drama. Argentina desperately needs a victory to even stand a chance in the tournament but so does Nigeria. The Africans cause the World Cups biggest upset and defeat Messi & Co.
Iceland - Croatia: 0-2 Croatia is too strong for Iceland's strong defense.
Group E (Wednesday)
Serbia - Brazil: 1-2 Serbia needs a win to progress; Brazil just needs one point. Brazil has disappointed me but they have the stronger team.
Switzerland - Costa Rica: 2-0 Costa Rica is already out and the Swiss defense is strong.
Group F (Wednesday)
Rep. Korea - Germany: 0-3 South Korea's only hope is to defeat Germany and pray that Mexico can beat Sweden, leaving Mexico with 9 points and the other three teams with 3 points each. But Germany is too strong for them.
Mexico - Sweden: 1-2 Mexico just needs one point but Sweden needs three. The Swedes win.
Group G (Thursday)
Panama - Tunisia: 2-4 Both teams are out of the world cup and may as well give us a show.
England - Belgium: 2-3 Both teams are through to the round of 16 but both want to take first place and the "easier" match in the next round.
Group H (Thursday)
Japan - Poland: 3-1 Poland have disappointed me and are already out and the Japanese have proven to be strong; not least headstrong.
Senegal - Colombia: 1-3 Colombia probably needs a win; Senegal gets through with a draw. I think Colombia is the better team; Senegal didn't impress me against Japan.
Wow. Colombia finally showing off some South American flair. Tough luck Poland.
In hindsight the Polish gamble (playing only 1 test match the last year to make sure they where seeded as nr. 1 in their group) proved fatal. My predictions are nearly as bad:
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-1 Uruguay vs. Russia: 1-2 Iran vs. Portugal: 0-1 Spain vs. Morocco: 3-0 Australia vs. Peru: 0-0 Denmark vs. France: 1-1 Nigeria vs. Argentina: 1-1 Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-1 Mexico vs. Sweden: 1-1 South Korea vs. Germany: 0-3 Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 1-1 Serbia vs. Brazil: 1-2 Senegal vs. Colombia: 0-2 Japan vs. Poland: 0-0 England vs. Belgium: 2-3 Panama vs. Tunisia: 0-1
It's alright. Just look at my atrocious recent record:
Uruguay - Russia 1-1 (who can really say whether Portugal or Spain are an easier draw right now?)
Saudi Arabia - Egypt 0-2 (something for Mo Salah)
Spain - Morocco 2-0 (they'll try their best to finish the group with a better goal difference than Portugal and thus "win" it)
Iran - Portugal 0-1 (It won't be important who is the next team to play against, Uruguay or Russia, as both will be equally tough)
Australia - Peru 1-0 (Peru is already out, Australia will fight till the end in case Denmark concedes a late goal)
Denmark - France 1-1 (a draw will be enough for both teams to go through)
Nigeria - Argentina 1-2 (come on, Messi. 0:3 was embarassing. Cross did it. CR did it. You'll do it)
Iceland - Croatia 0-1 (a favour from Croatia for Argentina here)
Rep. Korea - Germany 0-4 (no way this is going to end well for Korea)
Mexico - Sweden 1-2 (my hear is broken; I support all three teams in this group, and think it's very tough it was Sweden to play the second match against Germany, not Mexico. Both Mexico and Sweden were a joy to watch. I really hope Sweden still believe. This is not for the prediction game. This is just for some joy for Sweden after what they have suffered)
Serbia - Brazil 0-2 (a job done here to win the group and not face the wounded Germany)
Switzerland - Costa Rica 1-1 (a nervy finish for Switzerland, but a job done)
Japan - Poland 1-1 (it's funny how I always supported Japan on the previous tournaments and hasn't believed in them on this one; it will another heartbreak if Japan jinx it now)
Senegal - Colombia 0-1 (the recovered Colombia should aim to win here, it's the only way for them to advance)
Panama - Tunisia 0-2 (more embarrassment for Panama)
England - Belgium 1-1 (can something stop Belgium from not winning here? England wouldn't want to lose either)
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-1 Uruguay vs. Russia: 1-1 Iran vs. Portugal: 0-1 Spain vs. Morocco: 2-0 Australia vs. Peru: 1-2 Denmark vs. France: 0-1 Nigeria vs. Argentina: 2-1 Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-1 Mexico vs. Sweden: 1-0 South Korea vs. Germany: 1-2 Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 2-1 Serbia vs. Brazil: 0-2 Senegal vs. Colombia: 1-2 Japan vs. Poland: 1-1 England vs. Belgium: 2-2 Panama vs. Tunisia: 1-2
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-2 Egypt has at least one good player.
Uruguay vs. Russia: 2-1 Russia will be looking for a 3rd consecutive victory, but due to their high of winning (big) their first two games, they will underestimate Uruguay and especially Suarez's lethality.
Iran vs. Portugal: 1-2 Ronaldo will struggle against Iran, but they will eventually win.
Spain vs. Morocco: 3-1 Too bad for Morocco, but Spain will regain some glimpse of their former self and crush the North-African dreams into the ground.
Australia vs. Peru: 1-0 No idea whatsoever. Slightly rooting for Australia due to the Dutch coach.
Denmark vs. France: 1-2 If Denmark plays like the first half hour in their 2nd match, this could be very interesting indeed. In the end I believe France has many more qualities than the Danish, so they will triumph.
Nigeria vs. Argentina: 1-2 Nigeria will carefully study Argentina's first two matches and then will try to win this game as well. There will however be a revival of Argentina but it is too little too late.
Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-2 Strong defense vs strong offense. Interesting to see what happens.
Mexico vs. Sweden: 2-2 This could be an interesting match to watch.
South Korea vs. Germany: 0-4 Germans will gather steam in this match. South Korea is a rather weak opponent.
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 2-0 One of those matches you are not immediately going to watch. Might turn out good.
Serbia vs. Brazil: 1-3 Serbia is not that strong a team so Brazil will win. Neymar will receive a yellow card.
Senegal vs. Colombia: 2-2 This will be a very interesting match to watch.
Japan vs. Poland: 2-1 Japan will win this, Poland is incredibly weak.
England vs. Belgium: 2-2 Could be the game of the poule phase. Two easily-scoring teams pitted against each other.
Panama vs. Tunisia: 1-2 Probably a match to quickly forget.
Russia will be looking for a 3rd consecutive victory, but due to their high of winning (big) their first two games, they will underestimate Uruguay and especially Suarez's lethality.
Comments
No team has won yet on this tournament after going down, except Switzerland.
This world cup is getting weider by the hour. Gary Lineker will perhaps be forced to recant his famous words about Germany - and off course do so with a smile on his face
Tough luck Sweden.
*Dammit!
But Sweden now has to defeat Mexico in the last match to progress to the second round, and Germany will probably defeat the Republic of Korea. These results will leave Mexico, Sweden and Germany with 6 points each, and the team with the worst score is out of the world cup.
Edit: Come on Panama, you can play better than this and don't need to be aggressive, hold your heads up and play your best, you owe it to all your fans who have travelled so far.
https://m.imgur.com/gallery/bAgHrKX
Anyway, here's my predictions for the final group series:
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-2
Uruguay vs. Russia: 1-1
Iran vs. Portugal: 0-2
Spain vs. Morocco: 3-1
Australia vs. Peru: 1-0
Denmark vs. France: 0-1
Nigeria vs. Argentina: 2-1
Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-2
Mexico vs. Sweden: 0-0
South Korea vs. Germany: 0-2
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 1-0
Serbia vs. Brazil: 1-3
Senegal vs. Colombia: 1-1
Japan vs. Poland: 1-2
England vs. Belgium: 2-2
Panama vs. Tunisia: 1-1
Predictions to follow after the late match.
Group A (Monday)
Uruguay - Russia: 1-1 Russia just needs one point to win the group and get the (supposedly) easier match in the round of 16.
Saudi Arabia - Egypt: 1-2 None of these teams have anything to play for except the honor. I think Egypt will handle this best.
Group B (Monday)
Spain - Morocco: 2-0 Spain needs at least one point to secure their place in the round of 16. Morocco is already out and can't prevent Spain from getting all three points.
Iran - Portugal: 0-2 Iran can still progress with a win, or with a draw if Spain loses against Morocco. But Portugal takes all three points in a bid for the first place.
Group C (Tuesday)
Australia - Peru: 1-2 Peru has nothing to play except honor - but they will want to die with their boots on!
Denmark - France: 1-1 Denmark needs a point to qualify for the round of 16, France is already through. If Denmark loses, Australia could beat Peru and nick the 2nd place in the group from us.
Group D (Tuesday)
Nigeria - Argentina: 2-1 This is a drama. Argentina desperately needs a victory to even stand a chance in the tournament but so does Nigeria. The Africans cause the World Cups biggest upset and defeat Messi & Co.
Iceland - Croatia: 0-2 Croatia is too strong for Iceland's strong defense.
Group E (Wednesday)
Serbia - Brazil: 1-2 Serbia needs a win to progress; Brazil just needs one point. Brazil has disappointed me but they have the stronger team.
Switzerland - Costa Rica: 2-0 Costa Rica is already out and the Swiss defense is strong.
Group F (Wednesday)
Rep. Korea - Germany: 0-3 South Korea's only hope is to defeat Germany and pray that Mexico can beat Sweden, leaving Mexico with 9 points and the other three teams with 3 points each. But Germany is too strong for them.
Mexico - Sweden: 1-2 Mexico just needs one point but Sweden needs three. The Swedes win.
Group G (Thursday)
Panama - Tunisia: 2-4 Both teams are out of the world cup and may as well give us a show.
England - Belgium: 2-3 Both teams are through to the round of 16 but both want to take first place and the "easier" match in the next round.
Group H (Thursday)
Japan - Poland: 3-1 Poland have disappointed me and are already out and the Japanese have proven to be strong; not least headstrong.
Senegal - Colombia: 1-3 Colombia probably needs a win; Senegal gets through with a draw. I think Colombia is the better team; Senegal didn't impress me against Japan.
In hindsight the Polish gamble (playing only 1 test match the last year to make sure they where seeded as nr. 1 in their group) proved fatal. My predictions are nearly as bad:
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-1
Uruguay vs. Russia: 1-2
Iran vs. Portugal: 0-1
Spain vs. Morocco: 3-0
Australia vs. Peru: 0-0
Denmark vs. France: 1-1
Nigeria vs. Argentina: 1-1
Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-1
Mexico vs. Sweden: 1-1
South Korea vs. Germany: 0-3
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 1-1
Serbia vs. Brazil: 1-2
Senegal vs. Colombia: 0-2
Japan vs. Poland: 0-0
England vs. Belgium: 2-3
Panama vs. Tunisia: 0-1
Uruguay - Russia 1-1
(who can really say whether Portugal or Spain are an easier draw right now?)
Saudi Arabia - Egypt 0-2
(something for Mo Salah)
Spain - Morocco 2-0
(they'll try their best to finish the group with a better goal difference than Portugal and thus "win" it)
Iran - Portugal 0-1
(It won't be important who is the next team to play against, Uruguay or Russia, as both will be equally tough)
Australia - Peru 1-0
(Peru is already out, Australia will fight till the end in case Denmark concedes a late goal)
Denmark - France 1-1
(a draw will be enough for both teams to go through)
Nigeria - Argentina 1-2
(come on, Messi. 0:3 was embarassing. Cross did it. CR did it. You'll do it)
Iceland - Croatia 0-1
(a favour from Croatia for Argentina here)
Rep. Korea - Germany 0-4
(no way this is going to end well for Korea)
Mexico - Sweden 1-2
(my hear is broken; I support all three teams in this group, and think it's very tough it was Sweden to play the second match against Germany, not Mexico. Both Mexico and Sweden were a joy to watch. I really hope Sweden still believe. This is not for the prediction game. This is just for some joy for Sweden after what they have suffered)
Serbia - Brazil 0-2
(a job done here to win the group and not face the wounded Germany)
Switzerland - Costa Rica 1-1
(a nervy finish for Switzerland, but a job done)
Japan - Poland 1-1
(it's funny how I always supported Japan on the previous tournaments and hasn't believed in them on this one; it will another heartbreak if Japan jinx it now)
Senegal - Colombia 0-1
(the recovered Colombia should aim to win here, it's the only way for them to advance)
Panama - Tunisia 0-2
(more embarrassment for Panama)
England - Belgium 1-1
(can something stop Belgium from not winning here? England wouldn't want to lose either)
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt: 0-1
Uruguay vs. Russia: 1-1
Iran vs. Portugal: 0-1
Spain vs. Morocco: 2-0
Australia vs. Peru: 1-2
Denmark vs. France: 0-1
Nigeria vs. Argentina: 2-1
Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-1
Mexico vs. Sweden: 1-0
South Korea vs. Germany: 1-2
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 2-1
Serbia vs. Brazil: 0-2
Senegal vs. Colombia: 1-2
Japan vs. Poland: 1-1
England vs. Belgium: 2-2
Panama vs. Tunisia: 1-2
Egypt has at least one good player.
Uruguay vs. Russia: 2-1
Russia will be looking for a 3rd consecutive victory, but due to their high of winning (big) their first two games, they will underestimate Uruguay and especially Suarez's lethality.
Iran vs. Portugal: 1-2
Ronaldo will struggle against Iran, but they will eventually win.
Spain vs. Morocco: 3-1
Too bad for Morocco, but Spain will regain some glimpse of their former self and crush the North-African dreams into the ground.
Australia vs. Peru: 1-0
No idea whatsoever. Slightly rooting for Australia due to the Dutch coach.
Denmark vs. France: 1-2
If Denmark plays like the first half hour in their 2nd match, this could be very interesting indeed. In the end I believe France has many more qualities than the Danish, so they will triumph.
Nigeria vs. Argentina: 1-2
Nigeria will carefully study Argentina's first two matches and then will try to win this game as well. There will however be a revival of Argentina but it is too little too late.
Iceland vs. Croatia: 0-2
Strong defense vs strong offense. Interesting to see what happens.
Mexico vs. Sweden: 2-2
This could be an interesting match to watch.
South Korea vs. Germany: 0-4
Germans will gather steam in this match. South Korea is a rather weak opponent.
Switzerland vs. Costa Rica: 2-0
One of those matches you are not immediately going to watch. Might turn out good.
Serbia vs. Brazil: 1-3
Serbia is not that strong a team so Brazil will win. Neymar will receive a yellow card.
Senegal vs. Colombia: 2-2
This will be a very interesting match to watch.
Japan vs. Poland: 2-1
Japan will win this, Poland is incredibly weak.
England vs. Belgium: 2-2
Could be the game of the poule phase. Two easily-scoring teams pitted against each other.
Panama vs. Tunisia: 1-2
Probably a match to quickly forget.