FIFA WORLD CUP 2018?

[dado7]

France -croatia is hard to guess the odds , i want to go for Croatia but in the papers france will take the cup , what is your prediction please ?

this is a very heavy choice .. croatia do have a very strong middle player .. but french has a quality player that is flat on all line .. I also tend to choose croatia ,. but if we look at the quality of players ,, french is superior

it looks like I will not bet anything in the final game

Why do you think that?

OK, on page 6 I was lucky enough to predict the final between France and Croatia using the match-mismatch logic (although I have to admit, I didn't see France getting there after I found out that Payet will be missing the World cup, but kudos to France for making me wrong).
I was wrong about one semifinalist, but who was not wrong about that one (Germany)?

I also predicted that France will win the World cup. However, that was based on the opinion that they will have strong ball possession and Dimitri Payet to rule out the game.

Now, let's compare the lines (it's hard to expect that the managers will change anything):
Lloris vs. Subašić, I say 50-50% (both in great form);
Varane, Umtiti vs. Lovren, Vida, 60:40% (France defense is much faster although I think that of those 4 the only one clear for WC top 11 is Lovren);
Pavard, Hernandez vs. Vrsaljko, Strinić, 55:45% (French sides play a fantastic tournament, but Croatian are even more dangerous offensively)
Pogba, Kante, Matouidi vs. Brozović, Rakitić, Modrić 45:55% (French middle is very strong in the defense but Croatian is much more creative);
Griezmann, Mbappe vs. Rebić, Perišić: 55:45% (Mbappe is not constant but is still one of three best players on this tournament (besides Hazard and Modrić) but if you look at the tactical display so far, Rebić and Perišić are equally important and efficient for Croatia; slight advantage to France, but only because of Mbappe's display against Argentina and Belgium, but you have to keep in mind that it is much more easy to stop one player than 10 of them);
Giroud vs. Mandžukić 40:60% (Mandžukić won more balls and is far more dangerous in finishing).

Deschamps vs. Dalić - 50-50%, although you could really ask yourself - which of the two managers got more of the potential out on the surface from their respective teams?

I think you will have to mostly agree to this evaluation, so I don't see why France should be such a strong favourite. Besides their reputation I mean? Both France and Croatia were lucky enough to get to the finals (Croatia twice on penalties, France lucky against Peru and Australia and Uruguay missing Cavani, which would be the only serious mismatch against them in this tournament).

What else is so clearly on French side besides their name - running + freshness? I think England, a slightly younger team, already tried that.

+Don't forget the most important thing. It is always 50-50% in the final. Just look at the history and what happened to those that were most assured they would win.

[tokeweed]

Any reg in this thread wanna put their money where their mouth is and make a bet for fun?  I def think Croatia has a better chance in winning than what most think imho.  My 10 USD for your 25 USD.  I'll take on up to three people.

Guys, anybody?  I think it's a fair price and slightly better than what Nitrogen is giving.  Last I looked, it was 10 USD for your 28.6 USD or something.  You can save 3.6 bucks by betting against me yo.  And we have fun at the same time. 

[kripkiki12]

I hope Croatia wins, they have shown tremendous level of concentration and strong mentality. They arguably have the most valuable midfield in the world with the tandem of Modric and Rakitic. I am a bit afraid though, because it will no be easy to score against France, fatigue is not with the Croatian side either. But I think in one game in the World Cup final, it will not be a huge issue, everybody will play their hearts out.

[upsidedown75]

This has been so far a world cup full of surprises. I wasn't expecting france to win over belguim as well. There has been so many shocks so far that I won't be surprised about anyone winning the cup. It can be anyone at this point and none of us will go "how did they win". Crotia has been playing their best this year since for a long time but I see that France has been playing like crazy. I see the best chance in France made a surprise over belgium so who knows they might win too.

[bering]

world cup almost near the end and there was unpredictable teams who able to defeat big teams and one of them could reach the final match is Croatia but i think France still too strong for them and recently i just checked the odds between both of teams that i think if i pick for France the odds are decent to be considered

[slaman29]

Don't underestimate the rest of their team. Don't forget about Liverpool's Dejan Lovren, Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, and Juventus' Mario Mandzukic. Croatia are no pushover, but they've certainly got a squad that doesn't get the credit they deserve and I think people have underestimated them. I don't think they will win the tournament as I don't think they will be any match for either France or Belgium but I wouldn't write the underdogs off either. All that stands in their way is England who aren't a truly great team lets be honest. I think it will be a close game but whoever wins will have themselves a place in the final that for sure.

I guess you were right after all. I was so tempted to bet against England but I guess like most people, I believed in the hype. I thought the Croatians looked so tired but they must to have found a recipe to everlasting stamina!

I don't know what to do now. Bet on a high scoring game for England/Belgium? And bet for Croatia to win +0,5? The odds look fantastic, but every match has been so difficult. What I pray for is high scoring games for both. I just want to enjoy the final!

[Wendigo]

England were so pathetic that they made Croatia look great in the 2nd half of the match after the equalizer by Perisic. England had only 1 shot on goal the entire game. France are in another league skill-wise and I doubt their forwards will be as fruitless as the English but never say never I guess. Props to Croatia for these 3 consecutive 1-1 matches that were so entertaining to watch. I think the French will take this one. Heck it would be devastating to lose 2 finals in 2 years.

[pugman]

Did you guys hear about the post-match beef that the England fans are complaining about? They want Croatia disqualified. Mostly because Rebic wasn't sent off after getting 2 yellow cards. And the fact that Vida actually played after a video of him saying Glory to Ukraine got leaked and whatever bullshit that was ,was gonna get him banned but yet he played. England fans are also not happy with the referee because Lovren didn't get a single yellow card in the entire 120 minutes.

So it seems like, everything but football is coming home. And wow did I underestimate Croatia a little too much.

[DIA7]

world cup almost near the end and there was unpredictable teams who able to defeat big teams and one of them could reach the final match is Croatia but i think France still too strong for them and recently i just checked the odds between both of teams that i think if i pick for France the odds are decent to be considered

France have extra day of rest and did not play in 3 extra times. If Croatia manages to pull this one off it would be sensational. But the logic Says France will win this match they will learn from their mistakes after Euro final and focus on winning this final plus as for the match Croatia should not be discounted in the least, but this is France's to lose now. I am not even sure I give Croatia the advantage at mid with Kante's ability to neutralize the attacking third there. France looks like the class of the world again their only weakness is the loss of the 2016 final but if they fell behind in score against Croatia they end up with terrible pressure. This is the best opportunity for the Croats but the best thing is for France is that they have a number of great players in every position only the center forward despite that Giroud didn't get a single shot on target he is doing his jobs in creating space for Greizman and Mbappe.

[Wendigo]

Did you guys hear about the post-match beef that the England fans are complaining about? They want Croatia disqualified. Mostly because Rebic wasn't sent off after getting 2 yellow cards. And the fact that Vida actually played after a video of him saying Glory to Ukraine got leaked and whatever bullshit that was ,was gonna get him banned but yet he played. England fans are also not happy with the referee because Lovren didn't get a single yellow card in the entire 120 minutes.

So it seems like, everything but football is coming home. And wow did I underestimate Croatia a little too much.

I heard that Domagoj Vida recorded the questionable video in the locker room after the match in the presence of a staff member of the Croatia national team who was later fired and sent home. I don't think Vida will be banned over what he said in that video though because Xhaka and Shaqiri weren't banned for making the double eagle signs when they celebrated their goals against Serbia. I think they or the Swiss football association were fined I am not completely sure.  And by the way did you notice how the fans booed Vida every time he touched the ball during the Croatia - England semi-final? I have to admit that the Turkish referee allowed the play to get too rough and should have shown more cards.

[Lucius]

Did you guys hear about the post-match beef that the England fans are complaining about? They want Croatia disqualified. Mostly because Rebic wasn't sent off after getting 2 yellow cards. And the fact that Vida actually played after a video of him saying Glory to Ukraine got leaked and whatever bullshit that was ,was gonna get him banned but yet he played. England fans are also not happy with the referee because Lovren didn't get a single yellow card in the entire 120 minutes.

So it seems like, everything but football is coming home. And wow did I underestimate Croatia a little too much.

I heard that Domagoj Vida recorded the questionable video in the locker room after the match in the presence of a staff member of the Croatia national team who was later fired and sent home. I don't think Vida will be banned over what he said in that video though because Xhaka and Shaqiri weren't banned for making the double eagle signs when they celebrated their goals against Serbia. I think they or the Swiss football association were fined I am not completely sure.  And by the way did you notice how the fans booed Vida every time he touched the ball during the Croatia - England semi-final? I have to admit that the Turkish referee allowed the play to get too rough and should have shown more cards.

England is try everything to win that game, they know Croatia is better team so they play many dirty games before match. Vida and Vukojevic shot that video and they just want to send greetings to their friends in Ukraine since they both play there for many years. Vukojevic is pay for that "mistake" and Ukraine football association offered to pay a fine for Vukojevic and to provide all further legal assistance.

Regarding England fair play it's enough to watch what are they trying to do to score in that game, a really shameful move...

https://www.thesun.co.uk/world-cup-2018/6758752/world-cup-2018-england-sneaky-equaliser-croatia-celebrated/

[slaman29]

Did you guys hear about the post-match beef that the England fans are complaining about? They want Croatia disqualified. Mostly because Rebic wasn't sent off after getting 2 yellow cards. And the fact that Vida actually played after a video of him saying Glory to Ukraine got leaked and whatever bullshit that was ,was gonna get him banned but yet he played. England fans are also not happy with the referee because Lovren didn't get a single yellow card in the entire 120 minutes.

So it seems like, everything but football is coming home. And wow did I underestimate Croatia a little too much.

That's just being a sore loser. I also thought Croatia should get punished for those little things, but as a whole, they deserved to go through. Maybe the England players should be the one showing a bit more desire to win? Let's see if they can again for 3rd place, but Belgium will be equally determined to get 3rd place, if not more.

England ex players said it was because of clubs fighting each other in the past which is why they never got far but let's face it England also had it "easy". Belgium still had to fight so many good teams.

[tomahawk9]

We have the lineups:

England
Pickford, Rose, Stones, Maguire, Jones, Delph, Dier, Trippier, Loftus-Cheek, Sterling y Kane.

Belgium
Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Chadli, Witsel, Tielemans, Meunier, De Bruyne, Hazard y Lukaku.

For England it's a combination of subs and some players from the usual starting XI, though I wasn't expecting Trippier. Belgium is going with their best lineup, except for Tielemans maybe?

[LFC_Bitcoin]

We have he lineups:

England
Pickford, Rose, Stones, Maguire, Jones, Delph, Dier, Trippier, Loftus-Cheek, Sterling y Kane.

Belgium
Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Chadli, Witsel, Tielemans, Meunier, De Bruyne, Hazard y Lukaku.

For England it's a combination of subs and some players from the usual starting XI, though I wasn't expecting Trippier. Belgium is going with their best lineup, except for Tielemans maybe?

Surprised both teams have gone fairly strong. We usually see lots of changes in these 3rd/4th play off matches as in reality they’re not really that important. It’s all about the final or nothing for me. Nobody wants to come 3rd.

As for the games I expect Belgium to win.

[ethereumhunter]

France -croatia is hard to guess the odds , i want to go for Croatia but in the papers france will take the cup , what is your prediction please ?

personally, I choose Croatia that will be the winner of the world cup because I see that they are really good enough to compete with the other country team and so far, they can play with good and in the last match, they show a good solid team and still defend until the end of the time. but I am not underestimating France and they have a good chance to be the winner too.

[ibuddy122505]

Feelings like when no one cares who will win in this game. Literally not an important the play-off for third place, but I would still want Belgium to win this match! Belgium has already scored, pretty clear Belgium is going to win.

[btctalk4life]

Feelings like when no one cares who will win in this game. Literally not an important the play-off for third place, but I would still want Belgium to win this match! Belgium has already scored, pretty clear Belgium is going to win.

Nah we still so much time and we still have another 45 minutes on the second half, i hope England can make goals on the 2nd half and make it into extra time and pinalty lol, let's make this match interesting. Both teams have many shoot on target so far and i guess there will be more goal on 2nd half.

[BitSat]

Feelings like when no one cares who will win in this game. Literally not an important the play-off for third place, but I would still want Belgium to win this match! Belgium has already scored, pretty clear Belgium is going to win.

Nah we still so much time and we still have another 45 minutes on the second half, i hope England can make goals on the 2nd half and make it into extra time and pinalty lol, let's make this match interesting. Both teams have many shoot on target so far and i guess there will be more goal on 2nd half.

Belgium started very good and in attacking mood this look like they are going for third place and they deserve this because though out all tournament they play like champions and have very good enough chance to win this but France out class them and now they are going to outclass England for third position which they deserve

[Taki]

Well, all my bets failed. I betted 100€ for Germany or Belgium as the cup champion, 50/50, but I simply lost. It is going to be a super final with mysterious winner.

[o_e_l_e_o]

Almost certain for Harry Kane to take the golden boot then - he has 6 goals, and now Lukaku has finished his last game with no more goals, the next closest are Griezmann and Mbappe, both on 3 goals.