World Cup 2022 Group Stage Preview

14th Nov 2022

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The Premier League is on break for a bunch of international games. Normally at this time it is for friendlies, the Nations League, or play-offs for major summer tournaments, but this time summer is coming to us via Qatar. That's right and it does get some taking used to but the 22nd World Cup finals will kick-off this coming Sunday.

As we know of course a World Cup in Qatar simply isn't possible in the summer months due to the humidity and for the first time we will experience a winter World Cup. This means that the Premier League will go on pause until December 26th although we will at least still get a Christmas period of games. It's been quite a campaign so far, who would have expected Arsenal to be leading by 5 points after experiencing so many average seasons for them previously? Champions Manchester City are probably still the best equipped to win it but they haven't been vintage city for the past month despite having a goalscoring machine in Erling Haaland who already has 18. Sadly for him he won't be playing in Qatar as Norway didn't qualify.

Onto the World Cup as it is on everyone's minds, and here is a run down of the groups:

 

GROUP A (Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador):

Preview: The Netherlands will be the odds on favourites to win this group and they should be able to ease through here. Qatar have shown some progress and as we have seen in the past the host country usually make it to the knock out stages, however we don't see the host country qualifying this time. Senegal and Ecuador will likely battle for 2nd place in the group, and we think Ecuador will edge it despite struggling to score of late.

Prediction to qualify: Netherlands and Ecuador

Odds to win Group A: Netherlands 1.50, Senegal 5.00, Ecuador 6.00, Qatar 17.00

 

GROUP B (England, Iran, USA, Wales):

Preview: England should have few problems winning this group, and yet those that have followed for so long know that if they are not on their A game, draws could bog them down. The USA and Wales will certainly be lifting their game, but there can be no excuses for the finalists of the last European Championships.

Prediction to qualify: England and USA

Odds to win Group B: England 1.44, USA 7.00, Wales 7.00, Iran 21.00

 

GROUP C (Argentina, Mexico, Poland, Saudi Arabia):

Preview: Argentina expects, can Lionel Messi at 35 finally win the World Cup or will it simply elude him? There is no doubt that Argentina have their strongest team in decades especially in midfield and attack. Mexico and Poland will be no pushovers but Argentina will surely race into the last 16.

Prediction to qualify: Argentina and Mexico

Odds to win Group C: Argentina 1.44, Mexico 6.00, Poland 6.00, Saudi Arabia 34.00

 

GROUP D (France, Denmark, Australia, Tunisia):

Preview: The reigning champions France will be big favourites to qualify and of course win the group. However last time they were champions the following tournament (in 2002) they went out at the group stage. Denmark will provide tough opposition but if France keep their egos in check they should be fine to win the group.

Prediction to qualify: France and Denmark

Odds to win Group D: France 1.44, Denmark 3.25, Australia 26.00, Tunisia 26.00

 

GROUP E (Spain, Germany, Japan, Costa Rica):

Preview: This looks like a very interesting group although on the face of it both Spain and Germany should dominate and it is unlikely to see Japan and Costa Rica achieving anything here and they may set up to frustrate their opponents and go for the draw. Spain v Germany should be rather interesting though.

Prediction to qualify: Germany and Spain

Odds to win Group E: Spain 1.91, Germany 2.10, Japan 15.00, Costa Rica 51.00

 

GROUP F (Belgium, Morocco, Croatia, Canada)

Preview: The multi talented Belgians should have zero problems qualifying from this group and even Croatia might struggle here given that some of their quality players have aged. It would feel like a surprise not to have Luka Modric in the latter stages but surprises can happen at World Cups.

Prediction to qualify: Belgium and Croatia

Odds to win Group F: Belgium 1.72, Croatia 3.00, Morocco 10.00, Canada 13.00

 

GROUP G (Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon):

Preview: Brazil are looking to add that sixth star on their jerseys and win the World Cup for the first time in 20 years. They have a brilliant attacking team to do so, but they really need to prove that they have moved up a few gears from their last few World Cup efforts. They should sail through the group stages though.

Prediction to qualify: Brazil and Switzerland

Odds to win Group G: Brazil 1.44, Switzerland 5.00, Serbia 5.50, Cameroon 17.00

 

GROUP H (Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea):

Preview: This should be the closest of the groups. Even though Portugal have a lot of talent they can make any game more difficult than it should be. We see a plethora of yellow cards in their game against Uruguay - you heard it here first. And there could be some genuine shocks along the way, this one could be an interesting group.

Prediction to qualify: Portugal and Uruguay

Odds to win Group H: Portugal 1.66, Uruguay 3.00, South Korea 10.00, Ghana 11.00

 

Make sure to catch our blogs every week during the World Cup and select match previews!



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