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Aaaand…breathe. The World Cup is well and truly reaching its apex, with a few stunning results to set up a selection of mouth-watering quarterfinal matchups. Morocco stunned bookies and fans alike, knocking out perennial favourites Spain. And who had Portugal smashing six against an otherwise usually watertight Swiss backline?
The quarterfinals are going to be juicy. Some are just too close to call, and by now we know that the term ‘favourite’ doesn’t mean as much as it used to. Let’s take a deep dive into what we can expect to see this week.
What do the Experts Say?
The bookies have a clear favourite for the World Cup: Brazil. The ruthless efficiency of their attack. The sumptuous talent of players like Neymar and Richarlison. The solid experience of Thiago Silva. And who can forget their dance moves after every goal?
But just remember that the favourites don’t always win it all. In 2014, they were down to win it, only to get rinsed by the Germans 1-7. You can never predict these things, which is why the World Cup is such a favourite with fans who fancy themselves betting experts.
Most will put their money on the team they support, which is why England consistently ranks highly with bookmakers. But those who approach it like science will look for a reliable sportsbook provider, like GiG in collaboration with Sportnco, that also offers value-for-money odds and the latest up-to-date information regarding the matches and standings.
But the odds can often be tossed aside when it comes to a winner-takes-all single-game final. We’re going to put our predictions out (for what they’re worth!), and show you why there may be more surprises on the horizon.
Brazil v Croatia
Brazil’s toughest test yet will come against the 2018 finalists. Croatia is definitely looking a little worse for wear, with old warriors like Luka Modric and Ivan Perišić showing signs of having plenty of miles on the clock.
But no one can deny this team’s fighting spirit. In 2018 they survived a couple of penalty shoot-outs, and who can forget their comeback win against England in the semifinals (hint: it didn’t come home)?
Yet Brazil still just has far too much talent for this Croatia team to hold them back. The 2018 vintage may have been able to do it, but we think the Croats have already exceeded expectations by getting this far.
Prediction: Brazil 3-1
Netherlands v Argentina
It seems like every football fan wants to see Messi win it all before he retires. In the way of the World Cup fairytale is a solid Dutch team that plays an organized and compact system. They can also play, with their goal against Team USA showing they still have plenty of that Clockwork Orange flair.
Let’s face it, Messi is still a special player, but he’s not what he used to be. On the defensive end, it’ll be 10 vs. 11. And even though Memphis and Gakpo clearly don’t have La Pulga’s talent, they still have plenty in their arsenal.
Expect a close match, but the whole is bigger than the individual. Louis van Gaal’s army can pull off the upset here. It would be fitting, especially considering everything the Dutch manager has been going through this year.
Prediction: Netherlands 2-1
England v France
Is football finally coming home? If we go by England’s recent result against the African champions, there’s every chance they can do it. Three goals, no issues at the back, and some silky football from the likes of Saka and Foden.
Of course, France has Messi’s heir apparent in Kylian Mbappe. But if we are to believe the camp intel, he may be nursing an injury. And that’s why we are going with England on this one. Without Mbappe at 100%, England has a real chance.
Expect England to start off cagey, a little nervous perhaps. Southgate will probably try to control the game, not give much away, and remain careful on the attack. France will have a tough time breaking them down, Mbappe or not.
Prediction: England on Penalties
Morocco v Portugal
Our final prediction takes us to the most unlikely team still in the tournament, Morocco. The team was unfancied from the start, with experts and fans alike not expecting them to get out of their super tough group.
We all know what actually happened. The Atlas Lions managed to not only qualify from a group that included Belgium and Croatia, but they topped it. Their result against Belgium was definitely not a fluke, with their sober play against Spain showing they’re a tough team to beat.
Portugal, on the other hand, put up an absolute clinic against the Swiss. Ronaldo’s replacement Gonçalo Matias Ramos worked himself into the record books by scoring a hat trick, and the team seems to have finally embraced their talented youth.
Even though we expect Morocco to put up a good fight, they won’t have enough to keep yet another potent attack out. It’s going to be close, for sure, but this one is Portugal’s. Ronaldo’s goal after a substitute appearance, perhaps? Siuuuu!
Prediction: Portugal 1-0
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