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Our Writers Pick: Worst Value World Cup Team
There is always hype about a small group of teams and this World Cup is no exception. Unfortunately for them, that is often undeserved. It’s common for one of the more-fancied sides to tumble by the roadside during a major tournament.
We’ve asked our writers to pick which side they think will most disappoint in Qatar.
Our Writers Pick:
- World Cup Winner
- World Cup Golden Boot Winner
- World Cup Semi-Finalists
- World Cup Golden Ball Winner
- Best Value World Cup Team
Lucky Draws Have Inflated England’s Performance
One name leaps off the page in this category. As they do to me in most tournaments. England.
They have tested my nerve in the last couple of events but contesting at the sharp end here looks beyond them. A semi-final elimination in Russia disguised the scrappy progression from their group. The defeat of minnows Panama was the only convincing success. A loss to Belgium meant a 2nd-placed finish. A penalty shoot-out was needed to edge past Colombia before a solid showing against Sweden in the last eight. Croatia proved a step too far.
The Three Lions have always had a strong home record. Last year’s Euros saw six of their seven fixtures at Wembley so was in essence a home tournament. The only away game being against a fatigued Ukraine. Gareth Southgate has also just overseen a terrible Nations League campaign. A campaign which ended in relegation from the top tier.
The pressure will be on from the ruthless English media with questions already being raised regarding the negative approach from the Head Coach. Odds as low as 7.50 are far too short.
- Selection: England
Avoid La Roja in Group of Death
Spain, I believe are a nation that should be avoided during the World Cup in Qatar this winter. They’ve find themselves in Group E alongside Germany, Japan and Costa Rica. This will be no easy task and a lack of firepower in the squad has made me turn away from Luis Enrique’s team.
Just four sides are priced lower to win the greatest competition on earth which gives Spain a bit too much respect in my opinion. They were knocked out in the last 16 in Russia four years ago by the host nation and finished third in the group four years before that and I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if they crash out of the competition early on for the third time in a row.
Spain’s forward line has a lot less quality than other nations who’ll be competing which could prove costly and I struggle to identify a player that’ll ignite a spark within the squad when it is needed most.
- Selection: Spain
Deschamps and Co Will Leave Qatar With Les Bleus
N’Golo Kante will miss this World Cup which will undoubtedly be a hamnmer blow for the French side. Not only that, but it will severely dent their hopes of retaining the crown they won four years ago.
This means their current positioning as third favourites is not one that offers a considerable amount of value. Especially when you throw their recent Nations League form into the mix.
While there is also the sense that Didier Deschamps’ time as France’s manager is coming to an end. With the squad reaching the end of its natural cycle, this may prove to be one tournament too many for the current crop of Les Blues.
- Selection: France
Poor Preparation Will Mean Lacklustre Tournament for Southgate
England’s preparation for the tournament has been far from ideal. Many are questioning Gareth Southgate’s ability as a coach. His team have performed well in the last two major tournaments, but they have seldom beaten elite opposition.
The Three Lions were second-favourites for the tournament just six months ago. A string of disappointing results in the Nations League has seen them move down to fourth in the betting. But they are still a shorter price than Spain, Germany and the Netherlands.
A lacklustre start from England could see the media get on their back, and ensure Southgate’s men have the weight of a nation on their shoulders in Qatar.
- Selection: England
Stay Away from Martinez’s Belgium
Gold doesn’t rust in its purest form but I expect this Golden Generation of Belgian talent will. The decay is already visible. Belgium’s shine is fading in performances against the very best sides in international football. Nations League wins over Belarus and Estonia gave them plenty of green in the form book but defeats to the Netherlands, Italy and France have left them red-faced.
The defence looks an issue. It was a problem for Belgium at the Euros last year and they haven’t really moved on since. What’s changed is that many of their star players are now even further out of form. Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard are going through the worst spells of their respective careers.
Kevin De Bruyne will be the biggest threat but as we’ve seen with Manchester City this year, the midfielder can’t do it all on his own. They aren’t the favourites for the competition but I still don’t think they deserve to be priced as low as they are. A group or round of 16 exit wouldn’t surprise me.
- Selection: Belgium
No Second Major Final For Southgate’s Three Lions
At 8.00 with some bookmakers, England feel a little on the skinny side upon entering the tournament. The expectations shouldn’t be there to win the competition on current form, though, considering the wealth of ability in camp coupled with the English nature during major tournaments, expectant pressure will mount.
After all, the Three Lions were unable to taste victory in their previous six Nations League matches. Unfortunately, Hungary’s 0-4 win at Wembley was a ringing endorsement of the performances the English ensemble have recently conjured on international duty. Given the Euro upset that ended in Italian defeat, one can understand why the English are amongst the favourites. Though, in truth, a below-par Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark didn’t offer the most challenging route to the final.
It pains me to say it, but Gareth Southgate’s men will likely fall short again. At 8.00, there are alternatives in a similar price bracket that are more deserving.
- Selection: England
Spain Without the S For Enrique’s Boys
Spain have a lot of quality players, but the bulk of the players are quite young and inexperienced on the world stage. Also, coach Luis Enrique has not Inspired much with his setup, as it seems he is yet to get a proper starting eleven.
Their last international trophy came at the 2012 Euros, but since then, they have not done much.
Spain have failed to make it past the round of 16 in the last two editions of the World Cup, and even though they break through that barrier this year, winning the Mundial is a tall order.
- Selection: Spain
