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

[boltz]

England played much better today in my opinion and being eliminated is not fair but France knows how to win important games and they showed it again.

With Argentina , Croatia , France and Marocco being the last 4 , I do hope we won't see France vs Croatia again as that would make France consecutive world cup winner and only Italy and Brazil achieved such a prestige record but I do hope we will see France vs Argentina.

[casperBGD]

England 56 years of hurt will continue for at least 4 more years.
~snip
I realized just now that there is not so small chance for repeat of World Cup 2018 final - France - Croatia.

yeah, Kane missed penalty (find it hard to score two penalties on one match, and maybe was better tactics to change executor, but it was what it was), but Rashford shot was also very-very close to hit the net in last minute, but they had to go home

would not call that better team is going through, but France scored their chances, and England did not know to do that

yeah, strong chances to repeat final, and I have put some small bet for Croatia to win (they have 3rd place, than 2nd place, so statistically should win it), and as for Messi, it would suit Modric career as well

[Little Mouse]

I do hope we will see France vs Argentina.

Will that make a huge change? Will Argentina defeat them for sure? What about a Morocco vs Croatia final   I doubt Morocco would beat France, as the same way I doubt Morocco would beat Belgium, Spain, Portugal. In fact, who would have thought that Morocco will qualify for the Semi by defeating such giants?
Well, I will possibly go for France and Croatia to qualify for the final. Though Argentina has the most chance to win.

[Harkorede]

I do hope we will see France vs Argentina.

Will that make a huge change? Will Argentina defeat them for sure? What about a Morocco vs Croatia final   I doubt Morocco would beat France, as the same way I doubt Morocco would beat Belgium, Spain, Portugal. In fact, who would have thought that Morocco will qualify for the Semi by defeating such giants?
Well, I will possibly go for France and Croatia to qualify for the final. Though Argentina has the most chance to win.

I really don't think France would be an easy game for Morocco every step closer to the final makes it the toughest game of their entire history, having come this far, I believe they can lose now and still bow out with their heads held up high, but I strongly believe this is not the end of their story yet, they've been faced with a vast adversity every step of the thus far and they've overcame even what big households of Europe might not have, coming out of a group consisting of Belgium, Croatia, and Canada unscathed in no fluke, let alone playing against both Spain and Portugal, I meant teams that have scored 7 and 6 goals respectively in a single game in this competition with conceding a goal in also an unprecedented feat, especially by an African team. I'm not even sure if any team have ever conceded an equal or lesser amount of goals in a FIFA World Cup enroute to the semi-finals.

[Little Mouse]

I'm not even sure if any team have ever conceded an equal or lesser amount of goals in a FIFA World Cup enroute to the semi-finals.

Germany in 2002 have conceded 1 goal toward their final. They conceded 2 goals in final. I can't remember how many goals Spain conceded in 2010.
Anyway, it will be hard to defeat the best forward line of this world cup, France is likely to win.

[Harkorede]

I'm not even sure if any team have ever conceded an equal or lesser amount of goals in a FIFA World Cup enroute to the semi-finals.

Germany in 2002 have conceded 1 goal toward their final. They conceded 2 goals in final. I can't remember how many goals Spain conceded in 2010.
Anyway, it will be hard to defeat the best forward line of this world cup, France is likely to win.

I'm very sure Spain lost their first game of the 2010 world cup group stage and also conceded in one of the other group stage games. Of course, it will be very hard to stop the France forward line, but I don't think it's impossible, Morocco have deployed a very good strategy maintain their discipline along the line with it in each of their games so far, so could continue that streak if they can keep their composure, because as I've said earlier Spain had more group stage goals than France in the group stage, and Portugal have also scored more goals combined than France as well, so if they could have done it against both teams, I don't think there is any reason not to give them the benefit of the doubt to do it yet again.

[slaman29]

I don't know what I was thinking picking 3-2 in France England, I was so sure there would be at least 1 game with a lot of goals in regular time but no one should be surprised to see all teams playing cautiously, and now with semifinalists both having 1 seed and 1 penalty specialist, I would even think at least 1 game ends in 0-0 to penalties.

6-10 spot is all same prize, so it would be nice to get back into Top 5 but I'm happy to see we're all so tightly squeezed into there lol.

[swogerino]

I'm not even sure if any team have ever conceded an equal or lesser amount of goals in a FIFA World Cup enroute to the semi-finals.

Germany in 2002 have conceded 1 goal toward their final. They conceded 2 goals in final. I can't remember how many goals Spain conceded in 2010.
Anyway, it will be hard to defeat the best forward line of this world cup, France is likely to win.

Most likely they will win against Morocco but the Morocco defense has been pretty impressive during all these games,nevertheless France is much stronger.Yesterday though it was completely Harry Kane fault that sent England home,for me England played better,attacked more than France but yet they had difficulties to concrete actions into goals.I personally was expecting an England win yesterday as I never liked what France has achieved so far but they most likely will be one of the finalists.Now if they will face Argentina in the final I think they will lose the final and if they will face Croatia most likely they will win.

[notblox1]

I see Argentina getting trough tomorrow. I just believe Messi factor will be enough to tip the scales in the end.

Why did you predict 2:2 for Argentina vs Netherlands?
It was damn good move that moved you on third place in superbru leadboard, and now Slissy and sam00 are sweating a lot with four more games left in WC
What do you think Croatia can do against Argentina in semifinals?

[KTChampions]

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!

  I think you understood what I meant. There are top teams, such as Brazil and Germany, which, even without winning anything, will always be considered favorites everywhere and everyone will discuss them, and there are "average" teams that even if they win something (for example, World Cup silver) will always be rated as "average".

There are only three games left and of course I am waiting for the continuation of the Croatian fairy tale, and in the second pair the result is indifferent to me (maybe this will finally help me predict without fan bias, lol).

[slaman29]

I think you understood what I meant. There are top teams, such as Brazil and Germany, which, even without winning anything, will always be considered favorites everywhere and everyone will discuss them, and there are "average" teams that even if they win something (for example, World Cup silver) will always be rated as "average".

There are only three games left and of course I am waiting for the continuation of the Croatian fairy tale, and in the second pair the result is indifferent to me (maybe this will finally help me predict without fan bias, lol).

Germany, I keep getting reminded by my friends here just how dumb I was to pick them to win. I know the squad is not as strong as it was before but still, sometimes Germans just smash everyone. Then I saw how they played. Anyway, even dumber was to pick them for the outright promo at SB. And yet it was the best thing for me in a way. Imagine only winning 1 game, so 1 chip. But winning big on roulette with the freechip.

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

[KTChampions]

I think you understood what I meant. There are top teams, such as Brazil and Germany, which, even without winning anything, will always be considered favorites everywhere and everyone will discuss them, and there are "average" teams that even if they win something (for example, World Cup silver) will always be rated as "average".

There are only three games left and of course I am waiting for the continuation of the Croatian fairy tale, and in the second pair the result is indifferent to me (maybe this will finally help me predict without fan bias, lol).

Germany, I keep getting reminded by my friends here just how dumb I was to pick them to win. I know the squad is not as strong as it was before but still, sometimes Germans just smash everyone. Then I saw how they played. Anyway, even dumber was to pick them for the outright promo at SB. And yet it was the best thing for me in a way. Imagine only winning 1 game, so 1 chip. But winning big on roulette with the freechip.

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

The final Croatia - France would be great, but it would be so good that I don't believe it can happen. Most likely, we will see Argentina in the final, and in the near future all news sites will again be filled with fanboys' comments about the "greatness" of Messi 

By the way, suppose France wins this World Cup. Mbappe will already be a 2-time champion (at such a young age  ). Now his decision to stay in the farm league and not make records with Real Madrid or another top club looks not just stupid but like a mistake of a lifetime lol.

[darxiaomi]

If any thing we learn about this World Cup its we can expect all the surprises available.
But talking seriously, Argentina team its really solid, see this:

Shots on target received by game:

Against Arabia Saudi : 2 (2 goals conceded)
Against Mexico : 1
Against Poland : 0
Against Australia: 1 (one goal conceded)
Against Netherlands : 2 and 2 goals conceded.

As you can see Argentina its playing a really solid game, but its having really bad luck, they shoot and we receive a goal. And its not fault of the Goalkeeper were great goals.

About Croatia, really good and strong team, i think the 2018 game have nothing compared to this, that Argentina was a disaster, it was a fight between the manager and the players, and some players also went to a fight literally (Mascherano was one).

Also i remember Caballero making a enormuos mistake in that game.

[swogerino]

Argentina has a solid fact in their advantage,well I don't know if it can be called like that but Argentina has never been eliminated in the semi finals in their whole history of the world cup tournaments,they won it in 1986 because of Maradona and it is now up to Messi to make a huge nation happy again by achieving this great achievement,not easy to do but I believe that history repeats itself most of the time and I doubt it will not do it in the tomorrow semi final game.

Even Messi said we are spectacular and we are going to win,don't know if it was because of euphoria or because he really thinks it.

[notblox1]

Argentina has a solid fact in their advantage,well I don't know if it can be called like that but Argentina has never been eliminated in the semi finals in their whole history of the world cup tournaments,they won it in 1986 because of Maradona and it is now up to Messi to make a huge nation happy again by achieving this great achievement,not easy to do but I believe that history repeats itself most of the time and I doubt it will not do it in the tomorrow semi final game.

There is a first time for everything and Croatia took their scalp four years ago in World Cup, even with Messi playing in Argentina team.
This could play in Argentina favor this time because they will take them much more serious and prepare better for them.
Just don't expect from Croatian player to give up easily, after they eliminated Brazil one of the biggest rivals of Argentina.

[1miau]

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

Experience is an important factor for sure. But in Argentina vs. Croatia, many players of Croatia and Argentina are very experienced. Messi will push his team for sure, it would be amazing for Messi to be world cup winner and he'll give everything for it. And we should not forget di Maria, who'll most likely come into the game 2nd half at least, or even first half already? We don't know yet.
Of course, Modric will try to give everything, too. 
Perisic and Kramaric aren't bad as well and Croatia has shown multiple times already against Brazil, Denmark, Belgium and Japan to be successful.
I'm expecting an interesting game, probably very tactical but could also be a game bringing us lots of goals, if one team scores early.

[tomos81]

Argentina has a solid fact in their advantage,well I don't know if it can be called like that but Argentina has never been eliminated in the semi finals in their whole history of the world cup tournaments,they won it in 1986 because of Maradona and it is now up to Messi to make a huge nation happy again by achieving this great achievement,not easy to do but I believe that history repeats itself most of the time and I doubt it will not do it in the tomorrow semi final game.

Even Messi said we are spectacular and we are going to win,don't know if it was because of euphoria or because he really thinks it.

Everyone has a firm belief that Argentina can win the semi-finals.  Because Argentina is stronger than Croatia in any aspect, looking at the past, Argentina won most of the games they faced with Croatia.  Based on history and consensus on this conviction, Argentina will go to the final but Messi's conviction will use his experience to win.  2022 World Cup is Lionel Messi's last World Cup competition.

[slaman29]

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

The final Croatia - France would be great, but it would be so good that I don't believe it can happen. Most likely, we will see Argentina in the final, and in the near future all news sites will again be filled with fanboys' comments about the "greatness" of Messi 

By the way, suppose France wins this World Cup. Mbappe will already be a 2-time champion (at such a young age  ). Now his decision to stay in the farm league and not make records with Real Madrid or another top club looks not just stupid but like a mistake of a lifetime lol.

Well I never hid my admiration for Messi but it does get sickening to see all the fanboy GOAT talk especially when he and Ronaldo are compared with nonsense stats. They are both greats, but there are plenty of other amazing footballers to be admired. Modric is the simplest, but look at Moroccan heroes now too

Mbappe at PSG was a big "waste" but he is still young and can play at least 2 more World Cups!

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

Experience is an important factor for sure. But in Argentina vs. Croatia, many players of Croatia and Argentina are very experienced. Messi will push his team for sure, it would be amazing for Messi to be world cup winner and he'll give everything for it. And we should not forget di Maria, who'll most likely come into the game 2nd half at least, or even first half already? We don't know yet.
Of course, Modric will try to give everything, too. 
Perisic and Kramaric aren't bad as well and Croatia has shown multiple times already against Brazil, Denmark, Belgium and Japan to be successful.
I'm expecting an interesting game, probably very tactical but could also be a game bringing us lots of goals, if one team scores early.

Very true, Croatia has more final experience in big competitions though, no disrespect for Copa America

di Maria, man, you think he deserves a start and then he sits it all out but that was genius now he is full refreshed and ready he should play a full game.

I don't really care who wins, Argentina is my choice I would love to see this in normal time if Croatia will allow it lol

[topman21]

Argentina has a solid fact in their advantage,well I don't know if it can be called like that but Argentina has never been eliminated in the semi finals in their whole history of the world cup tournaments,they won it in 1986 because of Maradona and it is now up to Messi to make a huge nation happy again by achieving this great achievement,not easy to do but I believe that history repeats itself most of the time and I doubt it will not do it in the tomorrow semi final game.

Even Messi said we are spectacular and we are going to win,don't know if it was because of euphoria or because he really thinks it.

Everyone has a firm belief that Argentina can win the semi-finals.  Because Argentina is stronger than Croatia in any aspect, looking at the past, Argentina won most of the games they faced with Croatia.  Based on history and consensus on this conviction, Argentina will go to the final but Messi's conviction will use his experience to win.  2022 World Cup is Lionel Messi's last World Cup competition.

Argentina and Croatia are both very strong teams. In the last World Cup we saw Argentina lose to Croatia. In this year's World Cup, the semi-finals of Argentina and Croatia will be organized. No predictions can be made about this match yet.  Some teams have performed so well in this World Cup that people never imagined. So never tell Argentina that they can win this match.

[Trofo]

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

The final Croatia - France would be great, but it would be so good that I don't believe it can happen. Most likely, we will see Argentina in the final, and in the near future all news sites will again be filled with fanboys' comments about the "greatness" of Messi 

By the way, suppose France wins this World Cup. Mbappe will already be a 2-time champion (at such a young age  ). Now his decision to stay in the farm league and not make records with Real Madrid or another top club looks not just stupid but like a mistake of a lifetime lol.

Well I never hid my admiration for Messi but it does get sickening to see all the fanboy GOAT talk especially when he and Ronaldo are compared with nonsense stats. They are both greats, but there are plenty of other amazing footballers to be admired. Modric is the simplest, but look at Moroccan heroes now too

Mbappe at PSG was a big "waste" but he is still young and can play at least 2 more World Cups!

Anyway, Croatia for you to final, right? They have so much final experience. Morocco I think has none. Experience is what will determine a final winner, that's always my pick. So in this case, I guess it will be Croatia world cup winner

Experience is an important factor for sure. But in Argentina vs. Croatia, many players of Croatia and Argentina are very experienced. Messi will push his team for sure, it would be amazing for Messi to be world cup winner and he'll give everything for it. And we should not forget di Maria, who'll most likely come into the game 2nd half at least, or even first half already? We don't know yet.
Of course, Modric will try to give everything, too. 
Perisic and Kramaric aren't bad as well and Croatia has shown multiple times already against Brazil, Denmark, Belgium and Japan to be successful.
I'm expecting an interesting game, probably very tactical but could also be a game bringing us lots of goals, if one team scores early.

Very true, Croatia has more final experience in big competitions though, no disrespect for Copa America

di Maria, man, you think he deserves a start and then he sits it all out but that was genius now he is full refreshed and ready he should play a full game.

I don't really care who wins, Argentina is my choice I would love to see this in normal time if Croatia will allow it lol

There is no discussion that Ronaldo and Messi are among the greatest footballers that ever lived but I am sick and tired of them as human beings. It is just sad to see Ronaldo unable to take joy when his successor scores hat trick. It is also sad to see Messi making faces at Netherlands players no matter what happened during the match.

On the other hand you have Modrić that consoled half of the Brazilian team after we kicked them out. That is how a true champion should behave.

For instance that year Modrić got the award for best player, Ronaldo as his teammate didn't even come to congratulate while Modrić was there happy as ever, every time Ronaldo got it.

Great players but poor excuses for human beings. And it gets worse every day when day fail their own impossibly high standards.