Russia 2018 Preview - Group D
Argentina - The Albicelestes had the scare of their lives in CONMEBOL qualifying, having to wait for a 1-3 win away to Ecuador on the last day of qualifying to secure the third automatic spot for Russia 2018. Still, Jorge Sampaoli has quality from back to front from which to choose, including the talismanic figure of Leo Messi. At 30, this is the last chance for Messi to leave his mark on the World Cup. Any slip-ups or slow starts against a relatively manageable group will leave Argentina with the unappetizing prospect of a Round of 16 clash with France.
Iceland - The Icelanders were the surprise package of Euro 2016, reaching the quarterfinal stage at the expense of England. Now, they're back after topping Group I ahead of their Russia 2018 group-mates Croatia. Expectations for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side are thus sky-high in Reykjavik. But will lightening strike twice? It's hard to see that. Iceland are a tight-knit bunch but that will only take them so far in this group. They'll need to keep it close against Argentina in the opener and then build on that.
Croatia - The perennial qualifiers in the modern-age had a spotty qualifying campaign in Group I, having to rely on a drab play-off victory over Greece to secure their spot. This is the final shot at something big for this generation, surely the most talented cohort since the third-place side in 1998. Their strength is in midfield, with Barca's Ivan Rakitic anchoring the side and Real's Luka Modric offering the killer passes to big Juve striker Mario Mandzukic. The opener against Nigeria will set the tone for their campaign. Win big and they may be off to the races again.
Nigeria - As was seen against England at the weekend, Gernot Rohr's Super Eagles are a schizophrenic lot. They can be woeful, as they were in the first half, or they can look handy, as they did in the second half. Unfortunately, when one is playing at the highest level, switching off for 45 minutes can be deadly. Their campaign will largely rely on the scoring form of their two English-based youngsters up front, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho; however, it is Chelsea's Victor Moses that really makes this team hum. They'll need a good start against Croatia to go far in this group.
Predictions - Argentina to coast through this group with consummate ease, given their tournament pedigree; Nigeria and Croatia to jockey for second spot, with Croatian experience winning out. Iceland to be every fan's favorite second team, before bowing out gloriously.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 10:34 AM
2 Comments:
I'm going for an upset in this group. Argentina is not nearly as strong as they were four years ago. Their main strength is the four strikers, Aguero, Messi, Higuain, and Dybala. However, not all four can play at the same time. Their weakness is at goalkeeper where Sergio Romero is out of the tournament due to injury.The three keepers have a combined total of nine caps, with one playing in Mexico, 36 year old Willy Cabs with three caps as a shaky bench warmer for Chelsea , and one uncapped player playing for River Plate. Croatia does not seem to have any weaknesses and is my pick to win the group. If they had not run into a red hot Portugal team then they could have possibly won the last Euros.Iceland reminds of the Ireland teams coached under Jack Charlton with several players in the Championship and the key players being Siggy and Gudmunsson of Burnley. Four of their players play in the Championship. Finally , there is Nigeria , another than the players Bob mentioned and the Foxes Ndidi, they seem to be an average side and we should not expect them to make it to the Round of Sixteen as they did four years ago. My prediction is for Croatia to win the group followed by Argentina in second place with Nigeria and Iceland fighting it out for the wooden spoon.
That's a bold prediction, mate. I thought I was going out on a limb by predicting a second place finish for a team that didn't beat Iceland in Group I qualifying. But I didn't follow any of those matches, so I don't know the context. I like your style, mate.
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