The 2018 FIFA World Cup is here and with it we bring you The AOSN’s Group Stage and Final Prediction.
Joining us are myself (@TheRealZatarain), editor-in-chief Derek Tang (@DerekTang426) and Pedro Dorantes (@PedroDorantes98). Each of us will provide the teams who will make it out of their respective groups, followed by who we believe will make it to the final and the eventual winner.
Group A
Russia
Alexandro Zatarain:
Winner – Uruguay. Based on the rest of the group, Uruguay has a great opportunity to end up on top as they are likely the most well-rounded.
Runner-Up – Egypt. Egypt’s attack is lethal and they’ll certainly give Uruguay a run for their money. I think they’ll come up just short of winning the group.
Derek Tang:
Winner – Uruguay. Suarez and/or Cavani might score enough against Saudi Arabia alone for the Golden Boot.
Runner-Up – Egypt. Salah alone can only carry them so far.
Pedro Dorantes:
Winner – Egypt. Egypt is capable of finishing first in group A based on pure offensive power.
Runner-Up – Uruguay. While they might not be as powerful on offense as Egypt, their physical game will over power Saudi Arabia and Russia easily.
Group B
AZ:
Winner – Spain. Spain’s 2014 World Cup campaign was an anomaly. They’ll bounce back and win this tough group.
Runner-Up – Portugal. Winning the European Championship was quite the shocker to many and Portugal’s defense will push them through to the knockout rounds.
DT:
Winner – Portugal. This squad should be more fun to watch than the Euro 2016 squad, and Ronaldo has some unfinished business after limping off early in that final.
Runner-Up – Morocco. Dare I say it? Morocco pulls it off and Spain gets an early ticket home again? Nah, I can’t do it. Spain goes through.
PD:
Winner – Portugal. The European champions, with a solid defense and aided by Cristiano Ronaldo on the offense will come out on top of group B
Runner-Up – Morocco. A victory over Iran on their opening match seems possible. Add to that the fact that their tough defense could complicate things for Spain.
Group C
AZ:
Winner – France. France get a chance to jump out early as they take on Australia in their opening match. That will certainly set the tone for the rest of the group stage.
Runner-Up – Peru. After making it to Russia by defeating New Zealand in an intercontinental playoff, Peru have an opportunity to show off their attack.
DT:
Winner – France. They’d have to try hard to screw this one up.
Runner-Up – Peru. Guerrero’s return comes at the perfect time to raise the spirits of an already-good team.
PD:
Winner – France. France will not face many difficulties against Australia. Both Peru and Denmark will prove to be tricky rivals for the Euro 2016 runner up.
Runner-Up – Peru. The South American team will have to fight and grind their way to second place, However, thanks to their explosive offense, second place is certainly possible.
Group D
Argentina
AZ:
Winner – Argentina. Argentina have the superior team on paper but must be very careful in the group stage. If they play at their full capabilities, Lionel Messi and Co will have no problem.
Runner-Up – Iceland. All, or at least most, eyes will be on Iceland. The “Cinderella” team of the 2016 European Championship will have a tough group stage but have shown the capability to pull out victories.
DT:
Winner – Croatia. Best midfield in the tournament. They’ll fold somehow, but not in the first stage.
Runner-Up – Argentina. Argentina, but only just. There’ll be controversy as Croatia fields a below-strength team in the final match, allowing Iceland a win but a late Messi goal against Nigeria gives them the edge in goal difference to advance.
PD:
Winner – Iceland. A powerful collective style of play and a no nonsense offense are key. Those factors will secure the first place of group D for Iceland.
Runner-Up – Argentina. Despite being plagued by inconsistencies on their way to Russia, they still will put up a fight. Messi has proven to carry them deep into tournaments before.
Group E
Brazil
AZ:
Winner – Brazil. Brazil have looked good leading up to the World Cup. A fairly well-rounded group ahead of them but they should come out on top.
Runner-Up – Switzerland. A loss to Brazil would come to no surprise, but Switzerland will have to focus on Costa Rica and Serbia to move on to the knockout rounds.
DT:
Winner – Brazil. And Neymar will be goalless in the group stage.
Runner-Up – Serbia. I love Shaqiri, but Serbia has more potential in their lineup.
PD:
Winner – Brazil. The Seleção looks strong heading to the World Cup. With their strikers in sync, they will finish first in group E.
Runner-Up – Switzerland. On one hand Switzerland is full of talented players. However, they faced problems when facing “elite” level teams, things could go sour.
Group F
Germany
AZ:
Winner – Germany. Germany may get the toughest part of the group stage out of the way early against Mexico. Even so, it should be a breeze.
Runner-Up – Mexico. Fortunately for Mexico their opener is against Germany. The question will be whether they’ll let what should be an opening loss set the tone the rest of the way.
DT:
Winner – Germany. Because it’s Germany.
Runner-Up – Mexico. They’ll push the Germans all the way, which is why I think it could come down to goal difference.
PD:
Winner – Germany. Group F should not be much of hassle for the Germans. They will come out in first place easily
Runner-Up – Mexico. Finishing second will not be easy for El Tri. A win against Sweden will be crucial to their survival
Group G
Belgium
AZ:
Winner – Belgium. Belgium is taking a stacked team to Russia and should have more than enough to win this group.
Runner-Up – England. Although England makes me uneasy, they are capable of winning this group. They will probably fall just short but still make their way into the knockout rounds.
DT:
Winner – England. Belgium is strong, but guess where most of the Belgian play their club football?
Runner-Up – Belgium. They won’t do much to dispel the notion that they’re loaded with talent but don’t have the finishing mentality.
PD:
Winner – Belgium. Once again, they will show how talented they are as a team. However, I don’t see them going much further in the tournament.
Runner-Up – Panama. A motivated Panama could take the English by storm. It will not be easy, but it is possible.
Group H
AZ:
Winner – Colombia. Colombia has the attack to score at will. The likes of Poland and Senegal will be tough but this squad has enough to overcome.
Runner-Up – Poland. Robert Lewandowski and company are very much capable of taking first in this group but I think this group will come down to goal differential.
DT:
Winner – Senegal. There’s just something about the name of this squad that makes me think they can do it.
Runner-Up – Colombia. They played some really attractive football in 2014, and the core has that invaluable experience now.
PD:
Winner – Colombia. They were make their way to the round of 16 by way of pure offensive power, that simple.
Runner-Up – Senegal. They have pretty quick feet. Such speed could complicate things for slower teams such as Poland. This could secure them a key win during the group stage.
World Cup FINAL Match-Up and Winner
AZ:
Match-Up- France
Winner and Score- 3-2, Germany
DT:
Match-Up – Brazil
Winner and Score – 7-1? Just kidding. 3-1 Brazil, as they repeat the success of the 1958 squad in winning the trophy on European soil.
PD:
Match-Up- France
Winner and Score- 0-0 (6-5 on penalties), France.
You can find all of our 2018 FIFA World Cup Previews here!
Group A Preview
Group B Preview
Group C Preview
Group D Preview
Group E Preview
Group F Preview
Group G Preview
Group H Preview
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