By Michael Douglas
Qatar
· World Ranking - 50
· Best ever World Cup Finish- N/A (First World Cup)
· Manager- Felix Sanchez
Strengths of the Squad
It’s not often that the hosts of a World Cup are the unknown quantity but here we are. The main strength this squad has coming into the tournament has to be that they’ve been gathered as a squad since September. The squad is made up entirely of players from the Qatari Stars League and the league paused in September to allow the squad to prepare. They will be hoping that this gives them the chance of a fast start while other squads find their feet.
Weaknesses of the Squad
The clear weakness Qatar have is their lack of competitive experience at an elite level. Playing friendlies against European teams as part of UEFA qualifying just isn’t the same as taking on the likes of the Netherlands on the grandest stage of them all, their record in those games left a lot to be desired too with 2 wins from 10 games, one each over Azerbaijan and Luxembourg. We simply have no clear picture whether these players are up to the task of a World Cup as hosts.
Star Player
Akram Afif already has 89 caps and 29 goals at age 26 and is the undoubted star man in this team, he spent a short time in Europe from 2016 to 2018 but has played predominantly in the Stars League where he has won Top Scorer once and leading assists provider on two occasions. He is pacy and given the chance has a cool head in front of goal.
One to Watch
Hassan Al Haydos looks to be the key man in their counter attacking style. If he plays a prominent role then Qatar will have more success than expected.
Predictions
Ultimately I don’t even see Qatar benefitting from the boost that a host nation normally gets, the passion for Football just doesn’t seem to be there, the crowds at domestic league games are sparse and even big name imports don’t seem to be able to draw a crowd. While they may look at their group and think they could cause a surprise I just don’t see it against 3 very well organised sides who will be battling for those two qualification spots.
Tips
I like the 4/1 on Qatar getting zero points and I’ll be having a play on them scoring zero goals at 8/1 and exactly 1 goal at 3/1.
Netherlands
· World Ranking - 8
· Best ever World Cup Finish- Finalists 1974, 1978 & 2010
· Manager- Louis Van Gaal
Strengths of the Squad
Firstly they have as experienced a coach as you could hope to have. There’s not much in the game that Louis Van Gaal hasn’t done and he will be key to maintaining a harmony in the squad that hasn’t always existed in previous tournaments. Their young talent is a key strength could be the key to a deep run in this tournament, players like Cody Gakpo, Jurrien Timber and Tyrell Malacia could be in high demand in January if they show up over the next few weeks.
Weaknesses of the Squad
In contrast to the coach there is not a huge amount of big tournament experience in the squad. I might surprise some to hear that Virgil Van Dijk will play his first minutes in a major tournament when the Dutch kick-off on Monday, Frenkie De Jong and Daley Blind will be looked to to provide experience and I’m not certain they have that mentality.
Star Player
A few to choose from here such as the prolific Memphis Depay but as mentioned in this week’s twitter preview I think Van Dijk is the man for the Netherlands. A strong tournament could see him as a player of the tournament dark horse and if he anchors the defence in the manner we know he can then knocking the Netherlands out will prove a tough task for anyone.
One to Watch
PSV’s Cody Gakpo is already a man in demand and this tournament could see his price tag rise. Equally as comfortable on either flank or through the middle he is a taller than average winger who can mix it physically when required. Look for him to find the pockets of space between opposition defence and midfield where he can then attack defenders with pacy dribbles or pick them apart with his excellent passing vision.
Predictions
The Netherlands have their two toughest matches up first and I can see them being in a strong position following that and going into their group finale with Qatar either being qualified or only needing to avoid defeat. Should they win the group they would play the runners up in England’s group and again I would fancy them to get through that. From there I have them running into Argentina and while they will look to recreate the famous Bergkamp game of 1998 I feel this is where their run ends.
Tips
Stage of elimination as Quarter finals is 5/2 and I fancy that. Depay at 25/1 should be in the thoughts as an e/w bet for top scorer as he could have 3 or 4 by the end of the group stages. I also like a longer shot at 3/1 for them to finish the group with 9 points.
Senegal
· World Ranking 18
· Best ever World Cup Finish- Q-Finals 2002
· Manager- Aliou Cisse
Strengths of the Squad
Senegal have recent big tournament success to call on as the current African Nations Cup Champions. The majority of that squad is present here and having won that and their World Cup playoff on penalties they will be in good shape should they reach the knockouts. Senegal possess pace in abundance and are a very physical and powerful team, everyone they face will know they’ve been tested for sure. Their recent defensive record is stellar and their top lineup hasn’t conceded more than one goal in a game since October 2020 (They fielded a B team at the COSAFA Cup).
Weaknesses of the Squad
The biggest weakness this squad has is their reliance on Sadio Mane, the news this week that he won’t be fit to participate at all is a massive blow. They don’t seem to have too many standouts that can impact a game from the bench as the drop-ff from their starting XI is stark.
Star Player
Without the aforementioned Mane they will look to Watford’s Ismalia Sarr, a man in demand he has started the Championship season in great form, fast, tricky and unpredictable he’ll look to step into the spotlight and be the talisman that his Country needs.
One to Watch
I’m going to highlight Pape Matar Sarr here, signed from Metz last year by Tottenham and spent a season on loan back at Metz all reports indicate he is starting to show up in training and he’ll be looking to show the English audience what they have in store when he makes his Premier League bow having only been an unused substitute up to now. Only 20 years of age he’s equally as comfortable playing as a number 6, 8 or 10 and with Mane missing that versatility could be useful. He’ll look to use his excellent dribbling ability to advance the ball and could prove a handful for opposition midfields.
Predictions
The loss of Mane cannot be underestimated here and their first game against the Netherlands will now be so pivotal. A devastating defeat could really be insult to injury but any positive result could galvanise them going into two more winnable games. Personally, I don’t think they manage to make it out of the group.
Tips
I would take Senegal to finish 3rd in the group. If we go with NED/ECU/SEN/QAT as the group order we have a 9/2 shot. I’d also take Ismaila Sarr as team top goalscorer at 12/5.
Ecuador
· World Ranking 44
· Best ever World Cup Finish- Round of 16 2006
· Manager- Gustavo Alfaro
Strengths of the Squad
Ecuador are a team that gives up nothing with ease. Any victory against this side will be well earned. They had some fantastic results in qualifying in beating Uruguay, Colombia and Chile and earning draws against Argentina and Brazil. Their counter attack can be devastating, they scored 27 goals in qualifying, only Brazil tallied more, so if they can grab a lead they will become even more dangerous as teams open up. South American teams tend to perform better in World Cups outside Europe and there’s no doubt that the draw has been kind to them with Qatar being the top seed in Group A, Ecuador will look to spoil the party in the opener and build from there.
Weaknesses of the Squad
Since that qualifying campaign concluded they have played 5 friendlies and only scored 1 goal from open play. Games against Netherlands and Senegal will require that attack to start firing again and if it doesn’t they could be in a bit of trouble.
Star Player
Enner Valencia is a name familiar to watchers of the Premier League and he is the leader of this team. Now 33 he seems to have found a new lease of life at Fenerbahce scoring 13 goals in 12 games this season. Ecuador will look to their captain to provide the goalscoring touch they require.
One to Watch
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo has had an excellent season in the Premier League so far. Primarily thought of as a defensive midfielder the 21 year old showed his box-to-box qualities in qualifying with 2 goals and 4 assists and he comes into the tournament in great form. Already being linked with moves to the top end of the Premier League a breakout tournament could see that happen sooner rather than later.
Predictions for the Tournament
Ecuador are my dark horse for this tournament, I think they kick-off with a win and pile the pressure on Senegal, eventually beating them out for the 2nd qualifying spot. And once into the knockout stages they could bump into England, their style could give Southgate’s side fits and I would be looking at that game being a tight one that the South Americans could cause an upset in.
Tips
Ecuador are evens to qualify from the group which I love. The Netherlands-Ecuador forecast is 2/1. You could have them at 15/2 to go out in the Q-finals but if you do fancy England to scrape by them then 16/1 for Ecuador to be eliminated on penalties could be worth a dabble as they could take the game all the way. While Valencia is their talisman I think there’s value around his strike partner Michael Estrada as team top scorer at 11/2.
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