World Cup 2018: Our experts pick tournament winner, golden ball; most underrated, overrated teams
ONE team is a consensus pick among our experts to win the 2018 World Cup. But settling on the winner in Russia is not the only big issue they will stick their necks out for.
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WHO will win the World Cup?
It’s a topic that usually sparks such wide-ranging debate that getting agreement from a panel of experts is rare.
Except this time!
One team, according to the majority of our panel, looks a stand-out.
But it’s not just the potential tournament victor, we also divulge our picks for the golden boot, most overrated and underrated teams and young star.
MARCO MONTEVERDE
Who wins the World Cup and why?
France. There is no doubting Les Bleus ooze class all over the park. The fact that players such as Alexandre Lacazette, Wissam Ben Yedder and Kingsley Coman missed the squad also shows the depth at coach Didier Deschamps’ disposal. Still hurting from losing the final of Euro 2016 to a Portugal team they should have beaten, the French are more than ready to make amends in Russia.
Who is the tournament dark horse?
Belgium. For this so-called “Golden Generation” of Belgian players, the 2018 World Cup likely looms as their last chance to win a major tournament together before father time catches up with them. If midfield genius Kevin De Bruyne can reproduce his form at club level with Manchester City, it would be silly to write off the chances a side that also includes Eden Hazard, Dries Mertens and Romelo Lukaku.
Which team is overrated by the bookies?
England. There’s some talk that England might finally do something, but we’ve heard similar murmurs before and they have time and again come up short in their bid to add to the World Cup they won in 1966. Key striker Harry Kane must be in top form if an England side lacking creativity is to do anything of note.
Which player are you most looking forward to watching play?
Mohamed Salah. If a shoulder injury limits the impact of Liverpool star has for Egypt in Russia it would be a tragedy. Salah was superb for Liverpool in the Reds’ 2017-18 Premier League and Champions League campaigns. The Pharaohs’ attacking talisman deserves the chance to display his sublime skills on the world’s ultimate football stage.
Who will win the golden boot?
Antoine Griezmann. The French attacker was again superb for his Spanish club Atletico Madrid in the recently completed La Liga season and he’s likely to get better service in his national team. With France set go deep into the tournament, the silky Griezmann has the class to bag half-a-dozen goals.
Which young star will emerge as a big name on the world stage?
Timo Werner. At just 22, the German striker has already scored eight goals in just 14 appearances for his national team. In successive Bundesliga seasons, he has also netted more than 20 goals for RB Leipzig. Quick and mobile, Werner will cause a host of problems for opponents in Russia, and has the faith of coach Joachim Low.
MICHAEL MCGUIRE
Who wins the World Cup?
It’s an even field this time around but if everything clicks for them, it’s hard to go past France. Look at the players they left out. Martial, Benzema, Payet, Lacazette. Hard to imagine many other teams leaving them out. A front line of Griezmann, Mbappe, Lemar, with Giroud around as well could be awesome if it all clicks. Of course they have their weaknesses and can be erratic but this time they have just too much talent not to push far into the tournament.
Who is the tournament dark horse?
It could be the year that Belgium makes the leap to being a serious contender. Of course, we have been here before and they haven’t quite managed it. But with the likes of Eden Hazard, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku in the team, there’s goals aplenty. They have a decent keeper in Thibaut Courtois and reliable defenders in Jan Vertonghen, Vincent Kompany and Toby Alderweireld.
Which team is overrated by the bookies?
The Poms have been quietly talking themselves up, so their inevitable second-round exit should be anticipated. Their old friends the Argentinians have too much dependence on Lionel Messi and the weaknesses in the rest of the team can’t quite be covered, no matter how remarkable its best player continues to be.
Which player are you most looking forward to watching play?
There are so many wonderful attacking players that if they all perform it’s going to be a wonderful World Cup. Despite the concerns about Argentina, watching Messi at what is likely to be his last World Cup will be emotional for many football fans. The ever-lasting comparisons with Ronaldo will continue but perhaps we should just appreciate the wonderful talents of the blokes who have been the best players in the world for a decade.
Who will win the golden boot?
France’s Antoine Griezmann. He’ll receive so much service that it’s inevitable he will score a sack load.
Which young star will emerge as a big name on the world stage?
He’s already brilliant. Already worth a ridiculous amount of money. But Kylian Mbappe is still only 19. His status as the best young player in the world will only be enhanced this tournament.
VAL MIGLIACCIO
Who wins the World Cup and why?
Sure, the Socceroos can beat France at this FIFA World Cup but the French will have time to recover and go all the way to win just their second tournament trophy. Their form leading into the tournament has been erratic and they have been vulnerable when teams won’t allow them to exploit space. However the French have far too much quality, and that goes for all 23 players
Who is the tournament dark horse?
For such a small nation, Uruguay always punches well above its weight. A two-time FIFA World Cup champion, the Uruguayans are so hard to beat in any circumstances. They always fight to the death. They also have quality all over the pitch, not forgetting they finished second behind Brazil in qualifying. Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez, Rodrigo Bentancur and Matias Vecino are very handy players to have in any squad in the world.
Which team is overrated by the bookies?
England. Every four years since England claimed its only FIFA World Cup in 1966 on home soil their fans and media tell the entire world that this time the trophy will be theirs…and we’re still waiting. Given England couldn’t win the trophy with David Beckham, Steven Gerrard or even Gary Lineker or Paul Gascoigne, it will a tough ask in Russia. They may have striker Harry Kane to score goals but he alone cannot win the trophy.
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Which player are you most looking forward to watching play?
Paulo Dybala from Argentina. The heir apparent to the great Lionel Messi, he may get his chance to shine sporadically given the two play in similar positions in attack. The Juventus superstar has a great left boot, can find space when there seems to be none available, has the ability to score crucial goals and can set them up in the blink of an eye. If Argentine coach Jorge Sampaoli manages to put Messi and Dybala on the pitch at the same time be prepared for a huge World Cup treat.
Who will win the golden boot?
Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine is an old fashioned centre forward who is selfish enough to have a crack at goal when he finds an opening but also smart enough to know when his teammates have better options in front of goal. The bulky striker is also very handy at doing all the tough work outside of the box. He can also intimidate any centre back in world football and he can finish from anywhere - from distance or point blank range. He is also good with his head.
Which young star will emerge as a big name on the world stage?
Kylian Mbappe. He has been described as a player that has the traits of Neymar, Eden Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo all rolled into one.
TOM SMITHIES
Who wins the World Cup and why?
Germany. The fact that Brazil in 1962 were the last team to defend their title successfully shows how hard it is. But Joachim Low has successfully renewed his team after a spate of post-2014 retirements, bravely using the Confederations Cup to blood some youngsters, and their winning mentality remains peerless.
Who is the tournament dark horse?
Switzerland. Like the best kind of middle-distance runner, the Swiss consistently are tucked into the pack, ready to strike when necessary. In qualifying they were a fraction behind Portugal, and they have a decent-looking draw ahead of them.
Which team is overrated by the bookies?
Spain. Their domination of recent years seems to have led some pundits to tip them automatically, but they have a lot of young players who need to prove themselves. The eve-of-tournament drama around coach Julen Lopetegui’s decision to take the Real Madrid job straight after the World Cup will also unsettle the squad enormously.
Which player are you most looking forward to watching play?
Harry Kane. The Tottenham forward is that rarest of combinations, an Englishman who is world class and seemingly unaffected by the riches and razzamataz of the EPL. Kane’s understanding with Dele Alli will be vital to England’s chances, and you can be sure that this time - unlike at the last Euros - he won’t be taking the corners.
Who will win the golden boot?
Antoine Griezmann. It’s almost indecent that such a natural finisher should also be so creative - the Atletico Madrid marksman offers a fantastic array of attacking flexibility to French coach Didier Deschamps. If France do as well as expected, he will score a lot.
Which young star will emerge as a big name on the world stage?
The Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has the nickname of Sergeant aged just 23, and is ready to transfer his midfield authority from Lazio to the biggest stage of all. Blessed with pace, power and fantastic technique, Milinkovic-Savic will relish taking on Brazil in the group stages.
DAVID DAVUTOVIC
Who wins the World Cup and why?
Brazil. South American teams have traditionally struggled at European World Cups, but Tite has instilled a unity in this team which echoes Luiz Felipe Scolari’s 2002 side, with Neymar timing his return to perfection, ably supported by Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho. Don’t underestimate the revenge factor after the 7-1 semi-final loss on home soil in 2014.
Who is the tournament dark horse?
Uruguay. This team is more like a club side than a national team, with Oscar Tabarez leading them since 2006, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani led a first-class attack while Atletico Madrid pair Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez provide the defensive backbone. New Arsenal signing Lucas Torreira (from Sampdoria) and Rodrigo Bentacur (Juventus) are the emerging stars who’ve freshened up the squad.
Which team is overrated by the bookies?
Spain were favourites to win the group ($1.45 with TAB), but the outrageous sacking of Jose Lopetegui just 48 hours from their opening game after his “secret deal” to join Real Madrid could rock the team in a tough group which includes Portugal, Iran and Morocco.
Which player are you most looking forward to watching play?
A toss up between Neymar, Luka Modric, Harry Kane, Daniel Arzani and Kylian Mbappe (after the Socceroos game) for different reasons. Nothing whets the appetite like seeing a youngster emerge, but there’s something about seeing megastars at the peak of their powers.
Who will win the golden boot?
Neymar. Could be a toss up with Gabriel Jesus as to who leads Brazil’s scoring, but if they go all the way, it looms as one of them, with Timo Werner lurking with intent.
Which young star will emerge as a big name on the world stage?
Kylian Mbappe. The mega 2017 transfer from Monaco to PSG alerted the world to this kid’s exceptional talents, but this could be the tournament where he propels to the next level, into the top echelon of world stars.
Originally published as World Cup 2018: Our experts pick tournament winner, golden ball; most underrated, overrated teams