Football World Cup - Russia 2018
- Thread starter Dayvo
- Start date
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smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Well, I've worked through all the permutations for the group winners/runners-up, and who plays who in the knockout stages, and I've determined it's going to be a Belgium-Spain final.
You heard it here first.
England could make it as far as the semis but will have to see off Colombia and Mexico, only to be knocked out by Spain even if they do.
You heard it here first.
England could make it as far as the semis but will have to see off Colombia and Mexico, only to be knocked out by Spain even if they do.
That suits me I've done Belgium at 6/1 to just reach the final.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
What's this I hear about Belgium - and possibly England - not wanting to win their group?
I don't know how it works, but you might think a group winner would be rewarded with a tie against a runner-up from another group.
I don't know how it works, but you might think a group winner would be rewarded with a tie against a runner-up from another group.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
By my reckoning, Belgium will beat both France and Germany en route to the final, so it's probably best not to take anything I say too seriously.
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Yeah, but as per my previous post, assuming France win their group and Germany come second in theirs, which seems likely, the winners of Group G will probably have to beat both to get to the final (and that's assuming Germany see off Brazil in the next round).
Finishing as runners-up gives a notionally easier route to the final.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
3 in office sweep... Poland out, so come on Croatia and France!
vickster
Squire
The BBC have done it here...made my head explode (nearly)
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/44587232
Joey Shabadoo
My pronouns are "He", "Him" and "buggerlugs"
smutchin
Cat 6 Racer
- Location
- The Red Enclave
Some of the permutations are mind-boggling...
This is how I reckon it will pan out:
A - I'm going with a Russia win over Uruguay to top the group.
B - Either Spain or Portugal could still be knocked out, but not both. However, I think both will win their final games, so it's moot. Spain to top the group.
C - France to beat Denmark and top the group. Australia to beat Peru by enough goals to go through at Denmark's expense.
D - In theory, this one looks complicated, but Croatia will make things simple by beating Iceland comfortably to top the group. Nigeria will avoid defeat to Argentina and finish second, putting Argentina out. Nigeria-Argentina is unquestionably the pick of the final group games to watch. Could be rather "lively".
E - Serbia beating Brazil is not out of the question but I'm going with Brazil to come through and win that game, and therefore win the group. Switzerland will see off Costa Rica to finish second.
F - Germany have had their scare and they'll thump Korea. Mexico will beat Sweden. Mexico to top the group, Germany second.
G - Belgium to narrowly beat England in a close contest to win the group.
H - Colombia to beat Senegal and win the group. Japan to draw against Poland and finish second.
And the knockout stages in full:
France-Nigeria
Russia-Portugal
Spain-Uruguay
Croatia-Australia
Brazil-Germany
Belgium-Japan
Mexico-Switzerland
Colombia-England
QF
France-Russia
Germany-Belgium
Mexico-England
Spain-Croatia
SF
France-Belgium
England-Spain
Final
Belgium-Spain
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Here we go, Uruguay v Russia.
1-0 Uruguay.
Fabby free kick by Luis Suarez
1-0 Uruguay.
Fabby free kick by Luis Suarez
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
It's still 0-0 in the other game between Saudi and Egypt
AndyRM
XOXO
- Location
- North Shields
They'll have their best scientists creating an untraceable poison which will kick in around half time in the final.
