Sportsbet.io's FIFA World Cup 22 Prediction Pool Discussion thread

[casperBGD]

~snip
After playing two matches of extra time in a row they should be more tired than Argentina on Netherland, but anything can happen in semi finals.

not sure that this is going to be an issue, there is time to recover between matches, and players should be able to keep it
how it is stand now, it is going to be with Argentina, Netherlands are playing below their level, and did not do much to get Argentina keeper interested at all

that will be on Messi again, he made great assistance against Netherlands, that could decide the score tonight, and will need another one against Croatia, since going to penalties is not a lottery anymore for Croatia, they have more than 50%

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[swogerino]

I thought Spain to have been the biggest surprise of the World Cup only to find out now that Brazil lost to penalties and that was an amazing Croatia who scored all four penalties while Brazilian lost two something completely unexpected from them.They had attacked much better in the stats compared to Croatia but they didn't score and that was their mistake,Croatia wanted to go to penalties and they got what they wanted,however things will be difficult for them if they face Argentina which is winning now,Argentina is playing better than Brazil in this game against Netherlands.

[Saint-loup]

I will watch both games I think but the first one I might miss 1st half so I had to place mega risky bet ...thinking that if this won't be a win , I might skip this world cup until the end as I'm just losing money and besides this , I have extra time to work which is mega frustrating...

We barely had only 2 games were both teams to score in 1st half so I guess it's time to have another 2...

Sounds a whole lot difficult for both teams to score in the first half especially in the Brazil game where Croatia will most likely try to defend and to make the game go to additional time and have a luck trying to qualify with penalties which can be anyone's game.

For the other game that is highly probable that even the first half both teams to score as both are strong teams with strong attacks,nevertheless I hope you win your bet.

I don't see Croatia scoring in the first half unless some fluke happens. We are not even that good on counter attacks so I am expecting us to defend until the moment we concede.

If we still have 0:0 in second half, then we will maybe start to test Brazilians more as they are getting more and more nervous. I am thinking best chance for Croatia goal is around minutes 60-75. After that Brazil has much longer bench than we and it will just be waiting for penalties.

Hey congrats for your predictions and for the victory of your national team, Trofo 🥳🎉🎊 It seems they've successfully applied the same "strategy" as what Morocco did against Spain. Keeping a clean sheet during all the regular time in order to try to beat them at the penalty shootout. Sadly Neymar managed to score in the extra time, but finally they achieved the feat of equalizing the score before the end of extra time!
This friday night should be crazy in Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik and in all other places there I guess. Actually I'm happy too because I've been insane enough to bet on Croatia to qualify .

[LTU_btc]

I have no words about today's games, it's fantastic. Until maybe 80th minute it looked that Netherlands stand no chance to make an comeback. But that second Weghorst goal, Koopmeiners is simply genius to make such pass when everyone is waiting for shot. Only Netherlands and Van Gall team can do such things, it remind me that game when they substituted goalkeeper for penalty shootout.
In extra time Argentina were better, they had more chances to end without penalties. And penalties, another great performance by goalkeeper, this time Martinez managed to save 2 penalties.
I'm late to the party with congratulations to Croatians here. Now I'm trying to imagine what's going on in Croatia now . I said that I don't see Croatia eliminating Brazil, well, I was completely wrong. I said that only chance for them to stay in game - not to concede early goal. And longer it continues - pressure for Brazil players grows. And penalties, Livakovic is hero again. How is is playing just for Dinamo Zagreeb (with all respect) and not in one of major European leagues? And that moment when Neymar didn't even got chance to take penalty as we was 5th choice.

[bullrun2024bro]

I have no words about today's games, it's fantastic.

100% agree. Even if my bets were completely wrong again and I am only on rank 7 anymore, it was a great football night. Insane. I never expected Croatia to make it to the semi-finals against Brazil, WTF.

Hopefully the matches tomorrow will be as exciting as today. So what do you guys think? Will we see Argentina vs. France in the final? 

[1miau]

I thought Spain to have been the biggest surprise of the World Cup only to find out now that Brazil lost to penalties and that was an amazing Croatia who scored all four penalties while Brazilian lost two something completely unexpected from them.They had attacked much better in the stats compared to Croatia but they didn't score and that was their mistake, Croatia wanted to go to penalties and they got what they wanted

Impressive response from Croatioa after conceding that goal in extra time. I mean: just imagine, Croatia is keeping a clean sheet the whole time, then Brazil finally scores and Croatia needs to score a goal against such a Brazil now only while a few minutes are still left. Enormous pressure but Croatia did it.
Well deserved to advance after such a strong comeback and it would be funny, too, if the Dutch team would have won as well after their comeback but Martinez really killed 2 Dutch penalties.
Croatia vs. Argentina will be an interesting game and it would be great to see a penalty shootout, too. 

Looks like di Maria is also a good option for Argentina again.

[hilariousetc]

I have no words about today's games, it's fantastic. Until maybe 80th minute it looked that Netherlands stand no chance to make an comeback. But that second Weghorst goal, Koopmeiners is simply genius to make such pass when everyone is waiting for shot. Only Netherlands and Van Gall team can do such things, it remind me that game when they substituted goalkeeper for penalty shootout.
In extra time Argentina were better, they had more chances to end without penalties. And penalties, another great performance by goalkeeper, this time Martinez managed to save 2 penalties.

They were both great games and entertaining to watch even though that Netherlands equaliser ruined my perfect score haha. Both Brazil and Argentina made the same mistake of taking their foot off the gas and both paid for it though ultimately Brazil were the only team to pay the ultimate price. It was a bit of a weird decision to not have Neymar take one of the earlier penalties. Maybe they should have spent more time practising pens as opposed to stupid dances and they might have gone through.

Someone messaged me about the prizes so here's a reminder of what we're still playing for:

1st 0.1
2nd 0.05
3rd 0.04
4th 0.03
5th 0.02
6th 0.01
7th 0.01
8th 0.01
9th 0.01
10th 0.01

[swogerino]

I thought Spain to have been the biggest surprise of the World Cup only to find out now that Brazil lost to penalties and that was an amazing Croatia who scored all four penalties while Brazilian lost two something completely unexpected from them.They had attacked much better in the stats compared to Croatia but they didn't score and that was their mistake, Croatia wanted to go to penalties and they got what they wanted

Impressive response from Croatioa after conceding that goal in extra time. I mean: just imagine, Croatia is keeping a clean sheet the whole time, then Brazil finally scores and Croatia needs to score a goal against such a Brazil now only while a few minutes are still left. Enormous pressure but Croatia did it.
Well deserved to advance after such a strong comeback and it would be funny, too, if the Dutch team would have won as well after their comeback but Martinez really killed 2 Dutch penalties.
Croatia vs. Argentina will be an interesting game and it would be great to see a penalty shootout, too. 

Looks like di Maria is also a good option for Argentina again.

I think that now is clear that most likely the Argentinian team will be a finalist,I think so because I don't think they will get that easy Croatia as Brazil did and suffered the consequences.I also think that they have learned the lesson from yesterday night not to retire when you are comfortably leading by 2 goals as we all saw what happened to them and penalties are like russian roulette anyone can pass so I think it was a lucky qualification for Argentina despite them playing much better most of the time than the Netherlands.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Someone messaged me about the prizes so here's a reminder of what we're still playing for:

1st 0.1
2nd 0.05
3rd 0.04
4th 0.03
5th 0.02
6th 0.01
7th 0.01
8th 0.01
9th 0.01
10th 0.01

I’m in 6th place at the moment, moving up a couple of spots would be nice
This is where it really starts to get interesting regarding the paid positions though. Four games to go (if we include the 3rd vs 4th place play off). This is where it will start taking shape because it’s a lot more difficult to predict the result now than earlier in the competition.

Quick reminder of today’s games:

Morocco vs Portugal
England vs France

 

[KTChampions]

I thought Spain to have been the biggest surprise of the World Cup only to find out now that Brazil lost to penalties and that was an amazing Croatia who scored all four penalties while Brazilian lost two something completely unexpected from them.They had attacked much better in the stats compared to Croatia but they didn't score and that was their mistake,Croatia wanted to go to penalties and they got what they wanted~

On the one hand, such results are always shocking, on the other hand, I expected something like this (I wrote about it). Bright teams like Brazil are very often destroyed by disciplined "middle peasants". In fact, Brazil lost in the first serious match, they need to seriously think about their self-perception, maybe they overestimate themselves.
Congratulations Croatia. A great team that consistently performs successfully in all international tournaments. This is amazing for such a small country.

[buwaytress]

You can't really afford to that at this stage. Portugal's attack will likely be too strong to just hope they can do that for 90-120 minutes and hope to win it on penalties again. I don't think Portugal will make the same mistake of underestimating Morocco either. I think Portugal are a better team/squad than Spain as well. It's going to be interesting to see if Ronaldo is benched again. I guess they proved that they don't need him but it's still a balsy move. If it pays off it will be commended but if not I'm sure he will be criticised. Personally I don't think they should have brought him on at all in the last game. They were 5-1 up at that point and could have risked injuring him so they should have left him off and send home the message that he's not above being left out completely. 

Also I think Portugal are used to and don't mind coming up against that kind of play and mentality. I expect Morocco will probably try to do as they've done, niggly little fouls, stout and resolute defence, but Portugal have the right kind of mix up to crack open that door.

I'll be hoping for goals today, yesterday was nice to see 4 goals in regular time, really want to see an early goal to force a comeback. Funny thing though is Netherlands played 80 minutes as if they were in the lead, so maybe Morocco won't be too perturbed. They'll fancy freekicks too.

Agree on Ronaldo. Send him home if they don't want to play, but I feel like it's a fine balance for the coach to keep morale. The crowd clearly loved him, the loudest cheers was when he came on.

On the one hand, such results are always shocking, on the other hand, I expected something like this (I wrote about it). Bright teams like Brazil are very often destroyed by disciplined "middle peasants". In fact, Brazil lost in the first serious match, they need to seriously think about their self-perception, maybe they overestimate themselves.
Congratulations Croatia. A great team that consistently performs successfully in all international tournaments. This is amazing for such a small country.

I wouldn't ever call Croatia a peasant team, haha. Rankings are a bit arbitrary but they've maintained a hugely respectable rank in FIFA, and do have decent players. The last time a team went far with peasants was Iceland, Trinidad & Tobago. Their teams had actual peasants, literal farmers! I'm not sure if the Greek Euro winners (who beat Ronaldo twice in the tourney) had peasants in their squad, but they were at least 5 times more "peasant" than this Croatia team!

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

Someone messaged me about the prizes so here's a reminder of what we're still playing for:

1st 0.1
2nd 0.05
3rd 0.04
4th 0.03
5th 0.02
6th 0.01
7th 0.01
8th 0.01
9th 0.01
10th 0.01

Have some consolation prize for the members who are topping from the bottom, I will not miss it 😉


In the Brazil vs Croatia match, Brazil was not playing their game from the beginning of the match. No speedy attack, trying to spend all the time in the midfield, waiting for gap to get in, spending to much time in their own box, keeper was not even shooting the ball in the midfield. They played a very slow match. On the other hand, Croatia was controlling their game, and waiting for the extra time then penalty shoots. Although Brazil was able to create so many chances but Croatian keeper was the great wall of China.

The entire match was a good execution of Croatian plan and their keeper played a major role. A team like Brazil should not even take their game to extra time. It was a boring day for me yesterday, F**k Brazil.

Anyway, big match at the evening. It's hard to pick a winner between France and England.

[LTU_btc]

So, C. Ronaldo isn't in Portugal starting squad again. Not surprise after all. Does anyone expect that Morocco can make another upset and eliminate Portugal? I'm not sure about it, but I'm not going to back Portugal in betting.
Can't wait for England - France game. I'm going to put some money on France, but I wouldn't be against if yesterday's scenario will repeat and we will see extra time and penalties.

[BitcoinGirl.Club]

So, C. Ronaldo isn't in Portugal starting squad again. Not surprise after all. Does anyone expect that Morocco can make another upset and eliminate Portugal? I'm not sure about it, but I'm not going to back Portugal in betting.

For this world cup anything can happen. We lost some good teams in group stage. In round 16 we lost some including Spain. Yesterday we lost Brazil. If today we lose Portugal then I will not be surprised.

I heard Ronaldo even wanted to leave Qatar? LOL

[Woodie]

Portugal a goal down against one of the best defending nations in this worldcup would see these guys following Brazil home no doubt about this, unless they give over 100% to level things up and try to take the game to extra time, otherwise I see Morocco going into the finals with that first half goal.

So, C. Ronaldo isn't in Portugal starting squad again. Not surprise after all.

It's the perfect time to usher in the next generation of Portugal and maybe the current result could save his name.

[Renampun]

So, C. Ronaldo isn't in Portugal starting squad again. Not surprise after all. Does anyone expect that Morocco can make another upset and eliminate Portugal? I'm not sure about it, but I'm not going to back Portugal in betting.

Even without or with Ronaldo, I don't think anything will change, I see Ronaldo's enthusiasm for defending Portugal at the World Cup has weakened, unlike him at the 2018 World Cup.

Can't wait for England - France game. I'm going to put some money on France, but I wouldn't be against if yesterday's scenario will repeat and we will see extra time and penalties.

France vs England imo is the real final LOL. but in my personal opinion, England will win in this match (not to the penalty)

Portugal a goal down against one of the best defending nations in this worldcup would see these guys following Brazil home no doubt about this, unless they give over 100% to level things up and try to take the game to extra time, otherwise I see Morocco going into the finals with that first half goal.

the best defending nation in the world cup? I don't think so. in the first half morocco put up a good game but when they scored 1 goal they used the "parking bus" strategy. I'm sorry about that, I thought it was a boring strategy and we also saw that there were a lot of chances created for Portugal but they weren't lucky.

[buwaytress]

Congratulations to the 5 of us who picked Morocco in the pool. First time QFs, now first-time SFs. El Maroc bloody deserve this. I was leaning all the way for 1-0, but I thought extra time was too tempting for both teams to not 1-1 it out in reg time.

Still not enough to climb out to sit in Top 20, which just shows how tough it is to collect points now. 1 more game to go, another tight upset maybe? Or High scoring emphatic French victory? Or 0-0 draw?

[LTU_btc]

Morocco haven't conceded any goals against Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. What an elite defense! And they become first African team to reach World Cup semifinal. Maybe it's not most attractive thing to watch how they're playing, but they deserved what achieved.
Probably it was last dance for Ronaldo. He came in after substitutio, but didn't managed changed game scenario. I'm not fan of Ronaldo, I don't like him as personality, but it was sad to see his emotions after game.
Now it's time for England - France.

[LFC_Bitcoin]

Just settling down to watch England vs France. I’m expecting this to be a really good game, both teams have some truly elite players. Whoever wins this will fancy themselves to reach the final with Morocco lying in wait in the semi final. Morocco can’t be underestimated but whoever wins this 1/4 final will be confident to make the final.

Argentina looking favourites to win the World Cup, would complete Messi’s career & make him the undisputed GOAT?

[LTU_btc]

England 56 years of hurt will continue for at least 4 more years. It was good game, maybe worth of final, but someone had to lose it. Harry Kane now will get so much hate for missed penalty, but I think it's undeserved. He had solid tournament and missed penalty is just part of game. And in general, England team wasn't bad, they simply lost to another top level team, not like Spain, Portugal or Germany who were eliminated by underdogs.
Giroud proves again that he is one of crucial players in national team. And connection between him and Griezmann is amazing.
I realized just now that there is not so small chance for repeat of World Cup 2018 final - France - Croatia.