World Cup 2018: Predict a winner

[Kroll]

With the World Cup fast approaching, which team do you think can go all the way to glory?

[Saj]

I think France will win it this time around.

Very talented squad and no real weaknesses.

[hadi123]

I think France have a great chance as well.

[Rayyman]

England

[PakLFC]

They may as well give the Trophy to Germany right now Eager to see what Argentina and Brazil in particular are like. Not expecting much from this English team.

[proud_pakistani]

For me its between France and Brazil but will give France slighter edge as their bench of attacking options will open up dull draws which is generally what such tournaments bring.

[Junaids]

Most likely France.

Maybe Germany or Belgium.

England to reach the last four.

[MenInG]

https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/puti...-fight-finish/

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has tipped Argentina, Brazil, Germany and Spain as his top four contenders to win the World Cup, which starts in Russia on June 14.

Putin says Spain has "played a beautiful brand of football," in an interview with China Media Group, a transcript of which was published on the Kremlin website.

[Arham_PakFan]

Brazil and France are favorites.

[nextover666666]

Germany or France

[HuzaifaE]

Can't look past Germany - well oiled and proven team, from top to bottom.

France with someone more competent at the helm than Deschamps would be my favorites, but given the luck they had at the Euros at home and still failed to seal the deal, not liking their odds here.

I expect Spain to do well. Wouldn't be surprised if Belgium finally play to their on-paper strength, or if Brazil go all the way.

Not liking Argentina's odds, really comes down to how much Messi can backpack them.

[mozi2003]

Je pense que la France va gagner.

[Smbhayi]

Brazil..

[Hasan123]

I'll go with Brazil.

[MenInG]

Here's a tip....

========

Germany for the World Cup title.

That’s according to statistical analysis, number crunching and data modeling by economists at Commerzbank, the second-biggest listed lender in, well, Germany. (To be fair, we should note the lead author is London-based Peter Dixon.)

The tournament, taking place in Russia, kicks off in just over a week and will conclude on July 15. According to Commerzbank, Germany has an 18 percent probability of lifting the trophy, with Brazil the second most likely, just below 13 percent, and Spain, Argentina and France behind that. England has a 6.2 percent chance.

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Source: Commerzbank

Big data studies are a regular feature in the buildup to tournaments such as the World Cup. A simulation by Swiss bank UBS published last month also said Germany will win, while a study by the University of Innsbruck says Germany and Brazil will compete in the final, though it gives South American team the edge. It has 16.6 percent probability, just ahead of Germany’s 15.8 percent.

That would be payback for Brazil’s 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-final of the 2014 World Cup.

The Commerzbank analysis takes into account world rankings, track record at previous World Cups, home bias and number of goals scored in the tournament over the years. Playing at home isn’t the advantage it once was, so hosts Russia are give just a 2.6 percent probability. To account for the inherent randomness in sport, Commerzbank ran 10,000 simulations on each game.

If Germany do win, they will increase their World Cups to five, matching Brazil’s record. They would also be the first international football team to retain the title in more than half a century. The last team to do so -- in 1962 -- was Brazil.

But, for all the data in the world, let’s not forget the words of former England striker Gary Lineker.

“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men chase a ball for 90 minutes and at the end, the Germans always win.”

[Friend786]

I dreamed 2 nights ago that France beat Germany in Final 1-0

So France is definitely not winning.

[Major]

Belgium for me.

Lukaka, Hazard and Courtois will win it

[Rayyman]

Belgium for me.

Lukaka, Hazard and Courtois will win it

You can't say it now. Tournament already started.

[MMHS]

After round one, table looks like this, but it'll change

Match Round of 16 P_1 Match Quarter-finals P_1 Match Semi-finals P_1 Final P_1

49 Winners Group A RUS
Runners-up Group B POR 57 Winners Match 49 POR
50 Winners Group C FRA Winners Match 50 FRA
Runners-up Group D ARG 61 Winners Match 57 FRA FRA
53 Winners Group E BRA Winners Match 58 BEL
Runners-up Group F GER 58 Winners Match 53 GER
54 Winners Group G BEL Winners Match 54 BEL
Runners-up Group H POL Winners Match 61
51 Winners Group B SPN Winners Match 62
Runners-up Group A URU 59 Winners Match 51 SPN
52 Winners Group D CRO Winners Match 52 CRO
Runners-up Group C DEN 62 Winners Match 59 SPN SPN
55 Winners Group F MEX Winners Match 60 SEN
Runners-up Group E SWT 60 Winners Match 55 MEX
56 Winners Group H SEN Winners Match 56 SEN
Runners-up Group G ENG

[WC-Passion]

Brazil have had a slow start, but I expect them to pick up the pace. Neymar for golden ball?

[KingKhanWC]

I have gone for Spain, they play the best football and have the striker in Costa to score in various ways.

[Rayyman]

England

Looking strong atm.

[mozi2003]

Mark my words England won't become the champions!

They will choke in the semifinals...

[MMHS]

After 2nd round, plot has changed a bit - looks like ENG will win their Group, and Germany to finish 2nd. Brazil should beat Serbia, but if they lose, they are out. I still feel Argentina will beat Nigeria & Iceland won't win against a substandard Croatia - that takes them to 2nd round. France has to lose against Denmark to finish 2nd, or they are going to the tough half. Really tough to see both Colombia & Senegal making it - if it ends in draw, Japan qualifies behind Senegal; if Senegal wins, same. If Colombia wins, and Japan loses, then Goal average comes - that goal by Honda has almost taken Japan to 2nd round, they just need to draw against a dishearten Poland to make sure. I am still expecting Senegal & Colombia to go, because this Polish side is too good to finish with just one or even zero points; unlikely though. Most unlikely, but I hope Iran beat Portugal to make it.

I kept France as top favorites, hence I'll keep them as one of the finalists until they are eliminated, but from other half, it looks like a battle between Spain & Belgium. The equation stands like this now

Match Round of 16 P_1 Match Quarter-finals P_1 Match Semi-finals P_1 Final P_1

49 Winners Group A RUS
Runners-up Group B IRN 57 Winners Match 49 RUS
50 Winners Group C FRA Winners Match 50 FRA
Runners-up Group D ARG 61 Winners Match 57 FRA FRA
53 Winners Group E BRA Winners Match 58 GER
Runners-up Group F GER 58 Winners Match 53 GER
54 Winners Group G ENG Winners Match 54 ENG
Runners-up Group H JPN Winners Match 61
51 Winners Group B SPN Winners Match 62
Runners-up Group A URU 59 Winners Match 51 SPN
52 Winners Group D CRO Winners Match 52 CRO
Runners-up Group C DEN 62 Winners Match 59 SPN BEL/SPN
55 Winners Group F MEX Winners Match 60 BEL
Runners-up Group E SWT 60 Winners Match 55 MEX
56 Winners Group H COL Winners Match 56 BEL
Runners-up Group G BEL

[MMHS]

.

[ManFan]

Not fond of the sport but I’ll pick Croatia.

[last_knight]

Not fond of the sport but I’ll pick Croatia.

Just how you did it?

[MenInG]

So how did everyone do in this?

[ManFan]

Mark my words England won't become the champions!

They will choke in the semifinals...

Truer words have never been spoken.

Does not matter the sport, if England is in the SF’s, they choke.

[ManFan]

Just how you did it?

Close but no cigar.

[Junaids]

Most likely France.

Maybe Germany or Belgium.

England to reach the last four.

France to win.

Belgium and England in the last four.

Do I win a prize?

[mozi2003]

Je pense que la France va gagner.

Mark my words England won't become the champions!

They will choke in the semifinals...

Damn, all my predictions were right in this tread!