By Sam Cook
Belgium
World Ranking 2
Best ever World Cup Finish- 3rd Place 2018
Manager- Roberto Martinez
Strengths of the Squad
The attacking talent in this squad speaks for itself and whilst this may be the last tournament that Belgium's ‘golden generation’ have together it’s one that they are well supported for. 2018 maybe was the perfect storm for them in terms of the form of captain Eden Hazard, who’s been a shell of his former self at Real Madrid however the attacking talent still remains but with a dominant midfield behind it this year. De Bruyne is arguably the best player in the world at present and Youri Tielemans has shone for Leicester. Axel Witsel is finally playing in a top 5 league at the age of 33 and that standard should hopefully elevate his game and in doing so, the team's game.
Weaknesses of the Squad
The lack of full backs has been apparent throughout this whole golden generation of Belgium football. For some time Jan Vertonghen was forced into left back but now the likes of Timothy Castagne and Thomas Meunier will bomb iup and down the wings. Instead the centre halves could now be the problem with former Spurs duo Alderweireld and Vertonghen being 33 and 35 respectively, and both plying their trade at a lower level in their home nation. They still have Thibault Courtois but the solid centre back pairing isn’t so solid anymore, and potentially Leicester man Wout Faes may step in to give them some much needed youth, pace and power.
Star Player
Like all of the teams in this group the star player is clear and obvious. Kevin De Bruyne is in his best ever form and producing more than ever before, he’s been the heartbeat of his Manchester City side for 2-3 years but this season is on a different level. Despite Haaland’s heroics it’s hard to pick a game where KDB wasn't the best player on the pitch. 3 goals and 9 assists in his 13 PL starts doesn’t do him justice but you’ve just got to hope that Lukaku has his shooting boots on or all the production and brilliance from De Bruyne could go to waste.
One to Watch
It’s hard to call a one to watch in this team given the veteran status that I’ve already referenced and the abundance of stars but realistically I think the one to watch will be whoever occupies that 3rd centre half position. Being a Premier League fan I’d make the case for Wout Faes who I think has impressed and is certainly doing his bit for the Foxes helping them to 6 clean sheets in their last 8. Alternatively Martinez could turn to 19 year old Zeno Debast who made 2 appearances during the Nations League and has been solid for Anderlecht this season. He typically plays on the right hand side of a 2 but his pace and youth might see him slot into this back 3.
Predictions
I think I’ve made it clear in this preview and the other Group F teams that Belgium are the ones to win this group which won’t shock anyone but priced at 8/11 I think they’re one of the better priced favourites to win a group and it’s backable as a single or in an accumulator. The big test will likely come early as Group F winners face Group E runners up which will likely be Spain or Germany. A win there would set this side up with a potential Brazil quarter final match up so they won’t have it easy and for me I think they’re 4 years past their peak and could crash out to Germany/Spain in the round of 16, in what will ultimately be a failure.
Tips
Even though his club form has been poor Romelu Lukaku always seems to show up at tournaments having scored 11 in Euros and World Cups before including 4 at each of the last two major tournaments so I’m going to stick with trend and favour him to be the teams top goalscorer at 11/4.
Canada
World Ranking 41
Best ever World Cup Finish- Group Stage 1986
Manager- John Herdman
Strengths of the Squad
The obvious strength for Canada has to be their two attacking youngsters, Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David who carried Canada through qualifying. Lightning pace and a brilliant technical ability the duo are sure to be on the world level for a long period. Underrated though is the team's defence who conceded the fewest goals among North & Central American world cup qualifying allowing only 7 goals across their 14 games with goalkeeper Milan Borjan displaying excellent club form for Red Star Belgrade this season keeping 9 clean sheets.
Weaknesses of the Squad
Despite the seniority of some players like Borjan and EFL championship veteran Junior Hoilett the side will struggle from a lack of experience. Outside of the aforementioned David, Davies and Borjan none of these players have really played on a European stage, never mind the World Cup. Even their manager has limited experience only previously having coached the New Zealand and Canadian women’s teams before taking up this role in 2018.
Star Player
As obvious as it is I think the star player for Canada will be Alphonso Davies. I considered Jonathan David but I think the versatility of Davies makes him special, often being deployed on the left wing. My worry is his injury status and he isn't in the squad for their final pre tournament friendly against Japan, however I think the opportunity is one he won’t deny himself so I expect him to play and to put on a show.
One to Watch
Porto midfielder Stephen Eustaquio is another player making a name for himself in the Primera Liga acting as a box to box midfielder who’s contributed 2 goals and 4 assists this season. He will turn 26 just as the tournament ends so he isn’t a bright new talent but he’s a player that Porto saw fit to purchase in the summer and he’s slotted straight in starting in 11/12 games. This is the kind of experience that a lot of the team lacks and I expect him to command that midfield whilst the David/Davies duo run themselves into the ground up front.
Predictions
Realistically it’s hard to make a case for Canada at this tournament and nothing short of a fairy tale will see them qualify out of the group. An opening game against Belgium doesn’t make things any easier but they’ll have a chance to play Morocco in matchday 3 which they’ll surely be targeting as the game to pick up points in and avoid the dreaded zero points. Still, I think they’ll fail at this and foresee them propping up group F.
Tips
A trend in the tips for this group and that’s Belgium topping it coupled with another team and I think the winner last place double market on Sky is really good value with Belgium Canada priced at 9/4. My lack of faith in them continues as I think placing bets on both zero group points and 1 group points at 7/2 and 11/4 could be a smart play. Losses to Belgium and Croatia seem inevitable and I really can’t see them beating Morocco either so I’ll try to cover the draw/loss by placing both outcomes.
Croatia
World Ranking 12
Best ever World Cup Finish- Runners-up 2018
Manager- Zlatklo Dalic
Strengths of the Squad
In contrast to Canada I think the obvious strength would be the experience of this team with multiple players boasting 100 caps or more including Modric with a huge 155 international caps. These players are used to the big stage, they made it all the way to the final in 2018 and that unity that a tournament run provides can’t be undermined.
Weaknesses of the Squad
Ironically I think their strength could also be a weakness mainly due to the age of this squad. There’s a lot of miles in that midfield trio of Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic and also they no longer have a bagsman up top without Mandzukic. Even Rebic hasn't made the squad so they’ll be relying on Andrej Kramaric to lead the line who has only scored 3 goals in his 11 games for Hoffenheim this season. A lack of goals will trouble this side in my opinion.
Star Player
The answer here is clearly Luka Modric, the man is an absolute joy to watch and seemingly doesn’t age. His performance at the 2018 finals, alongside a successful club campaign, won him the 2018 Ballon d’Or and at age 32 it was potentially going to be his last World Cup. He returns at 37 to try and lead Croatia one better than 2018 and he’s in supreme form again passing sides open in a way that I don’t think we’ve seen since Pirlo.
One to Watch
As referenced I think goals could be hard to come by so I think Croatia will have to be very solid at the back and with Josko Gvardiol they likely will be. The centre half who came through at Zagreb before being snapped up by Leipzig has been on the radar of some big European teams with heavy links to Chelsea. The 20 year old is still learning but there’s a lot to like about him and I’d love to see Vlatklo pair him with the senior Lovren or even embrace the youth and partner him on the left side of either Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb) or Martin Erlic (Sassuolo). Whoever Dalic picks at centre half will be a key player to look out for but Gvardiol qualifies for Young Player of the Tournament so he’s my pick at big odds of 150/1.
Predictions
As I stated for Morocco this first game shapes group F in my opinion. I think Belgium are clear winners and Canada will prop up the group in 4th. As is often the case this game could be cagey with neither side wanting to lose and so I’d expect a low scoring game. Victory against Canada will likely leave the Croatians needing to match or better Morocco’s result in the last game, but facing a Belgium side that even with their second string look elite I worry for them. For me I have them finishing 3rd but should they qualify I actually give them a chance against Germany/Spain given their pedigree in big matches (1 win and 1 draw vs France in the Nations League).
Tips
I don’t think there’s value in backing Croatia to place anywhere in the group but I do like the price of them to score under 4.5 goals at evens. I think they can be goal shy and don’t have a clear in form attacking player and I’d expect goals to come from set pieces generally. They scored 1 goal or less in 4 of their 6 Nations Leagues games and I don’t expect much difference in Qatar.
Morocco
World Ranking 22
Best ever World Cup Finish- Round of 16 1986
Manager- Walid Regragui
Strengths of the Squad
Morocco boast an incredibly technical side and that will be on full show in Qatar. They underperformed at the African Cup of Nations in 2021 but they had a conservative coach who banished players such as Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech from the squad. Under new management now, the side are far more united and the technical flair of their right flank in particular could flourish. Ziyech plays on the right side of the attack and is overlapped by Bayern Munich’s full back Noussair Mazraoui with their star player Achraf Hakimi being forced to play left full back.
Weaknesses of the Squad
Sevilla striker Youssef En Nesyri leads the line for them however he has been wildly out of form and suffered injuries this season. Zero goals in La Liga this year don’t reflect his peak form of 20/21 where he scored 18 goals boosting his side to Champions League football. Similar to En Nesyri, their main creative spark Ziyech has been out of form and also out of favour since his move to Chelsea. In a group with seasoned campaigners like Belgium and Croatia they’ll have to hope to find form quickly in order to progress past the group stage.
Star Player
As already referenced the main star of this Moroccan side is actually their left back Achraf Hakimi. Used to playing on the right hand side of a PSG side that is incredibly possession based and dominant he has a heatmap that shows him bombing up the flank and having scored 3 goals this season he’s an outside shot for top team goalscorer at 16/1.
One to Watch
I think a breakout player at this tournament could be midfielder Azzedine Ounahi who plays for Angers in Ligue 1. Unfortunately for Ounahi is that Angers are one of the worst teams in Europe’s top 5 leagues and sit bottom of the French top flight. Despite that Ounahi has been a shining light and is almost certain to be on the radar of some bigger sides in the summer and this tournament could be his stage. A box to box midfielder who offers goals is a rare talent and he helped Morocco to a perfect record in qualifying recording 6 wins from 6 scoring 20 and conceding only 1.
Predictions for the Tournament
Morocco have a tough task to get out of their group, it feels quite obvious that Belgium should top the group so it’s a case of beating out Croatia or Canada to 2nd place. A loss to Croatia in their first game could kill these dreams immediately but potentially they’ll catch an ageing Croatia side out and nick a point or better. If that’s the case then they could head into the final group game against Canada with everything to play for. I’m tipping them to qualify from the group but to go down to one of Germany/Spain in the round of 16.
Tips
As referenced I think that Belgium will top this group but a Belgium Morocco straight forecast is priced at 11/2 or Morocco to simply qualify is a huge 9/4.
*Terms and conditions apply. 18+ only. Gamble responsibly
Comments