It’s the one we’ve been waiting for. The big FIFA World Cup and it’s already eventful so far even before a ball is kicked, and as expected , here are Sylvia’s Winning World Cup Selections.
So many things have been changed to accommodate this World Cup destination. The temperature, even if billions have been spent by hosts Qatar to create a more familiar temperature for the players, there are a lot of off-the-pitch atoms that may still impact the results. For example, the mood of fans can impact how they cheer their teams or if they just won’t mind getting knocked out earlier than they would normally prefer and go back home to their freedom to booze, for instance.
Countries that have a culture of being dragged over the line by their fans such as Brazil will be at higher risk.
It’s no longer news that fans aren’t exactly excited about the too many don’ts that have been issued to them by the host country and how it can be demoralizing. Surely, this will translate to results on the pitch. Having said that, let’s get right into the predictions and see which teams will likely fall victim in the first round of fixtures!
First I will also be picking games from outside the World Cup so keep your eyes open for those boosters.
Chelsea Women v Tottenham Women
A whopping nine (9) points separate these two sides. Unlike the men’s league, there isn’t much of a contest between the sides.
Chelsea a joint top of the league with London rivals, Arsenal, even though in second place due to goal difference.
The home side have never dropped points against their North London rivals in five meetings.
The FAWSL is such a high-scoring league to the point that despite Chelsea having an average of 2.4 goals per match, they are fourth in most goals scored per game. While Spurs with 2.2 is ranked next. Goals galore.
Chelsea have been awarded the most penalties – 4, so far this season. Samantha Kerr is ranked the league’s second best chance creator. They are certainly a goal threat. Always.
I expect Chelsea to claim all three points, comfortably. I’ll go for more to increase the odds.
Tip: GG @ 2.02 odds
Qatar v Ecuador
Like Nigerian players get gifted lots of money, I have wondered what the Qatar players would be gifted by their country if they win the World Cup – Ferraris? Maybe too small. Loads of cash? They can’t be bothered because they are very wealthy. Bars of gold? Maybe? Or they just will be happy to do it for honor and country? I guess we won’t know until the tournament kicks off on Sunday afternoon. Lucky for them, it’ll be a gentle build-up for them.
The hosts kick off the historic World Cup against Ecuador, unarguably the weakest opponent they could face in the group.
This would be their second time of meeting after a 4-3 victory to the middle eastern nation in 2018.
I fancy the result going in the direction of the home side. Don’t ask me to explain in writing but I strongly expect all things to go in their favour. It doesn’t help that Ecuador haven’t had it good in their last couple of games where they’ve recorded just one victory in five with their last victory before that coming in a 1-0 victory against a Nigeria B side.
Qatar are in a better run of form and aren’t too shabby a team.
Tip: 1 @ 3.10 odds
England v Iran
Oh, what a jolly pick for Sylvia’s Winning World Cup Selections! England may be missing a bunch of their preferred key players at the World Cup like Reece James, James Maddison, Kyle Walker and Ben Chillwell. However, they still have enough firepower to take on their mid-eastern opponents.
Iran won’t be a walk in the park either. They are ranked No 20 according to FIFA ranking for a reason and the Three Lions have cause to be at the best on the day.
Going into this one, Iran will be the underdog and for a team that doesn’t exactly play with a major superstar, surprises can spring up from different places.
These two sides have never met in the past but being a more viewed league, and with most of their players in the Premier League, Iran will feel they have more on England than the Three Lions have on them.
Tip: 1&O1.5 @ 1.61 odds
Senegal v Netherlands
On paper, it’s easy to pick Netherlands. However, Senegal are African champions and they didn’t become that by playing anyhow football. They have performed and stand a chance. Netherlands haven’t exactly been what they used to be decades ago.
Ahead of this tournament, both sides mirror each other on stats in their last five matches – 4W and 1D.
I imagine the European side would know it won’t be a walk in the park. I’m tempted to pitch my tent with the African champions. But star player, Sadio Mane’s absence is key to how things could turn out.
Tip: 12 & O1.5
USA v Wales
Wales are coming into this tournament in arguably the worst form possible. They have just two victories from their last nine matches. Five of them are losses. The North Americans haven’t fared much better either, with three victories and four draws in that time.
This looks a lot like it’ll end in a stalemate.
Tip: X @ 2.91
Argentina v Saudi Arabia
Tip: FH O1.5 @ 2.23 odds
France v Australia
It’s the reigning champions who although they don’t look like they did four years ago, are quite a big giant against Australia. France have struggled in the build up to this, a total opposite of the experience of the Australians. It’s one win and two draws in their last five while Australia have four wins and a draw in that time. The quality of opposition is different though.
Goal machine Karin Benzema has finally been ruled out of the tournament. That is as big a blow as is possible and changes our Sylvia’s Winning World Cup Selections. Nevertheless, France should win all three points.
Tip: 1H Ho O0.5 @ 1.42 odds
Morocco v Croatia
Tip: 2 @ 2odds
Germany v Japan
Tip: 1&O1.5 @ 1.59 odds
Belgium v Canada
Tip: 1 @ 1.48 odds
Portugal v Ghana
Tip: First Goal @ 1.27 odds
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