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Horse Racing World Cup Final 4 2022: Our Writers Pick the Semi-Finalists
World Cup Final 4 2022: Our Writers Pick the Semi-Finalists
It’s hard to pick a World Cup winner, it’s nigh-on impossible to pick the final 4. Still, that’s what our writers have been tasked with doing in the latest of our series of World Cup predictions.
Only a few teams will have realistic aspirations of lifting the World Cup trophy in Qatar next month. For many others, reaching the semi-final stage is an achievement to be proud of.
There’s often a surprise or two in the final four teams. Let’s see who our writers have picked to reach the semis.
Our Writers Pick:
- World Cup Winner
- World Cup Golden Boot Winner
- World Cup Golden Ball Winner
- Best Value World Cup Team
- Worst Value World Cup Team
Denmark to Make Surprise Final 4 Appearance
Considering I’ve backed the Brazilian boys to lift the prestigious trophy, it only makes sense that they’ll reach the final 4. There’s quality wherever you look within that squad from Alisson between the sticks to Vini Jr and Neymar at the opposite end. The record winners of the World Cup have every chance of making it number six in December and will be a nation the rest will want to avoid.
Maybe a little optimistic here but I have to back the Three Lions. There are a lot of variables in what could be a tournament to remember or one to forget for the nation. Gareth Southgate has plenty of pressure on his shoulders and his team selection needs to be spot-on in Qatar. Winning the group should be the first aim which shouldn’t be too tough of a task given the other sides in Group B. There is enough individual quality but starting well and picking up momentum further on in the tournament will be vital.
Arguably the most surprising selection here, the Danes made it all the way to the Semi-Finals in Euro 2020 and have been pretty impressive since then. France are alongside them in Group D but they won’t be fazed considering they’ve beaten them twice in the last few months. Kasper Hjulmand has been the national team coach for a while now and will set his side up as tough to beat but will offer plenty in attack. I believe they could be dark horses.
Despite a terrible World Cup in 2018, the Germans could be back for revenge this time around. They’ve been placed in Group E alongside Spain, Costa Rica and Japan which won’t be a walk in the park but they should expect themselves to navigate into the knockouts. It’ll be Hansi Flick’s first major tournament with the Germans which should give an extra buzz in the camp, they have a fantastic squad with a variety of age and experience, they should never be written off.
- Selection: Brazil, England, Denmark and Germany
No Third Final 4 Appearance for Southgate and England
The final four is always tricky to predict. A shock result can open up the draw in the same way it did for Croatia back in 2018.
My prediction for his tournament is that Brazil, Argentina, Portugal and France will be the last ones standing. A potential clash between the South American giants in the semi-finals is a mouthwatering prospect.
Portugal is perhaps the most surprising inclusion. If they top their group, they will have take on the runners up from group G. Brazil are likely to top that group. Leaving Portugal with a clear path to the quarter-finals.
- Selection: Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and France
Serbian Surprise in World Cup Semis
Carving a route through the World Cup is near-on impossible. However, if the favourites do have it all their own way, which they so often don’t, the two semi-finals should be one for the ages. In the final four, for me, it’s England vs Serbia on one side of the draw, as favourites Brazil pencil in a showdown with Argentina.
First and foremost, Denmark or the French likely poses the quarter-final task for the English. That’ll be no easy feat, though Southgate’s men should have enough to usurp Denmark if they top their group, which will happen if France aren’t at it from the opening day. If France pencils in a clash with England in the final eight, I suspect it’s goodnight for Harry Kane and company.
Serbia may be a surprise inclusion here for many. Still, there’s enough in that squad to overcome a Belgian, Spanish, or Japanese outfit in the Round of 16 before Portugal in the quarters.
On the other side of the draw in the Quarter Final, it’s a small case of Brazil for Germany in, admittedly, a 90-minute period that could swing either way. Elsewhere, Argentina should have enough to overcome the Netherlands or Wales.
For me, we get an England vs Brazil final if France finishes second in their group. If not, it’s France vs Brazil, with the South Americans’ flair and guile just edging proceedings in both potential match-ups.
- Selection: Brazil, Argentina, England, Serbia
Messi and Ronaldo in Final 4 on Likely Last Outing
Brazil have not tasted World Cup glory in over 20 years, and coach Tite is aiming to break that jinx in Qatar. Brazil are priced at 2.37to reach the final four and going by their end of the tournament tree, it should not be a problem.
Argentina have been on fire in the last three years. In fact, they boast an incredible 35-game unbeaten run. Captain Lionel Messi will be looking to cap a brilliant career with a trophy in Qatar. He has the backing of a very strong team. With that in mind, the price of 2.75 looks decent.
England have been struggling in recent months. Still, the Three Lions have a good record in international competitions under manager Gareth Southgate. They reached the semifinals in both previous major tournaments and were runners-up in the European Championships last year. They’re at 2.75 to reach the final four this time around.
In what seems to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup, Portugal would look to play their hearts out. They have the quality to impress. The Seleção das Quinas, who are currently at 3.50 odds to reach the final four, would be star-studded in all departments, and coach Fernando Santos would be looking to exploit all of that quality.
- Selection: Argentina, Brazil England and Portugal
No Brazil but Three from Europe
We very rarely see all four, or even two or three of the favourites in the semi-finals of a World Cup. The draw plays a big role in which teams make the cut and which don’t. Wind the clock back four years and Croatia were the surprise name in the final. They secured an upset win against Argentina in the groups and were handed ties against Denmark and Russia to reach the final four. Sometimes it just works out that way.
Now we come to 2022. Both halves of the draw seem fairly well balanced. The first half has big hitters Argentina, France, England and the Netherlands as the top-seeded teams. Mexico, Denmark, USA, Wales and Senegal will contest. It’s hard not to see Netherlands and Argentina top their respective groups but B and D are a little trickier to decide. England and France come into this tournament in dire form. I’ve still got the Three Lions to top B but I think the Danes will cause an upset in D.
That leaves the Netherlands to battle USA and Argentina to face France. I think the former wins both match-ups which means I can only take one of Argentina and the Netherlands to the final four. Lionel Messi and co take it by the nose. In the other half, I can see Senegal beating England before losing to Denmark in the quarters.
Looking at the other half of the draw we have the favourites, Brazil and a couple of major footballing nations. I can see Germany pipping Spain to top spot in Group E and Brazil topping G ahead of Serbia. Uruguay to finish behind Portugal in Group H as expected but my predictions for Group F may raise some eyebrows. I’m not convinced by top seeds Belgium and can see them heading for an early exit behind Canada and group winners Croatia.
That means that Germany will face Canada and Brazil to take on Uruguay, two comfortable wins for the former. It sets up a rematch between group qualification rivals Portugal and Serbia but this time, I can see the Portuguese coming out on top. Croatia won’t have enough for Spain in the other match.
That leaves Spain vs Portugal and Germany vs Brazil in the quarter-finals. A couple of fixtures worthy of any final. The Spanish reached the semi-finals of the Euros last year and I can see them doing the same again here. In the other match, I can see the Germans upsetting the odds and knocking out the favourites in a surprising final four.
- Selection: Argentina, Germany, Spain and Denmark
England and Portugal to Face Off in Semis
In my opinion the semi finals of this year’s tournament are going to provide us with two continental derbies. A South American offering in the top half of the bracket and a European pairing in the bottom.
In the top half, it will pit the winners of Group C together with the winners of Group G and should this be the case it means Lionel Messi’s Argentina will go up against Neymar’s Brazil, as an invite to the final is up for grabs.
While in the bottom half things are not as clear cut. With England likely to meet France in the quarter-finals and then Portugal bumping into Belgium at the same stage, two of these four will make the semis.
If I had to put my neck on the line, I would opt for England facing off against Portugal on December 14th.
- Selection: Argentina, Brazil, England and Portugal
Europe vs South America in the Semis
So having nailed my colours to the Argentinian mast it’s a case of which three sides make up the other semi finalists. I can’t look past Brazil. They have enough forward talent to outscore any opponent. As illustrated by hitting the back of the net 40 times in 17 qualifying games. Winning 24 of those aforementioned last 30 fixtures.
Holders France are also expected to perform well. With players like Kylian Mbappe in their ranks, they can make the final 4 too. Les Bleus exited the tournament at the group stage the last time they competed as holders. They are sure to go much deeper this time round.
Finally, I am going with Germany. Mainly due to having serial winner Hansi Flick at the helm. The 57-year-old former Bayern Munich manager being one of only two managers to achieve a “sextuple” with their team. He is starting to put his stamp on Die Mannschaft and if one or both of Kai Havertz or Timo Werner fire in Qatar they can go all the way.
- Selection: Argentina, Brazil, France and Germany
All odds accurate as at 15:00 on November 3rd 2022. Odds may now differ.
