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Horse Racing World Cup Winner 2022: Our Writers Pick the Winner in Qatar
Our Writers Pick: World Cup Winner 2022
With a month until the 2022 World Cup kicks off, it’s time to start our coverage of the biggest event in the football calendar. This is a tournament like no other. An unprecedented winter world cup creates unpredictability and, of course, opportunity.
In the first of our series of predictions, we called upon the talented writers of bettingexpert.com to pick a winner. Some of the sharpest betting minds have given their insight on which team will lift the World Cup in December and explained their reasoning. In the coming weeks, the same team will give their thoughts on a range of other key markets heading into the tournament proper.
Our Writers Pick:
- World Cup Golden Boot Winner
- World Cup Semi-Finalists
- World Cup Golden Ball Winner
- Best Value World Cup Team
- Worst Value World Cup Team
Brazil to Get Copa America Revenge
It’s not the most exciting choice but I believe Brazil have the best chance of becoming World Cup champions. They are in Group G alongside Cameroon, Serbia and Switzerland. This is arguably the trickiest combination but the squad quality and depth looks the greatest in all nations involved.
Since the Copa America defeat to arch-rivals Argentina, the Brazilians have yet to lose a game across competitive and friendly games. It’s a run that now stretches 15 matches.
Offensively, Brazil have to be the strongest in the competition with the likes of Neymar, Vini Jr and Gabriel Jesus to name a few will be expected to start or at least play a pivotal role for Tite, the man in charge.
Defensively, the nation has endless talent which will be a headache for the management but that’s a good thing. Based on the quality of Brazil, I’m confident they’ll have an impressive tournament. If the players step up they could be world champions again for the first time since 2002.
- Selection: Brazil
- Best Odds: 5.50 (Betway)
- Stakes: 8/10
Defensive Solidity Key for Brazil
Although Brazil have not won the World Cup in 20 years, they go into this year’s edition of the tournament as favourites. With a litany of talent for manager Tite to call upon, you can begin to understand why.
As Neymar, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison prepare to emulate the class of 2002, they are backed up by the midfield talents of Fred and Casemiro. With the Manchester United pair providing the steel in the middle of the park, it will allow those with the flair to flourish.
Add the experience of evergreen defender Thiago Silva and the pieces of this football puzzle are neatly coming together at just the right time. A time that in my opinion sees the Brazil team conquer the world in Qatar.
- Selection: Brazil
- Best Odds: 5.50 (Betway)
- Stakes: 3/10
Team Shape and Draw Will Help Scaloni’s Side
Major tournaments have rarely been won by the best squads of players in recent years. It’s been about having a solid back three or four with a couple of defensive midfielders. The successful sides keep their shape – occasionally allowing a single expressive full-back to attack but only if offset on the other flank. The goals are usually scored by inside forwards.
We saw this style of play succeed at Euro 2020. Both England and Italy played in such a manner. The same could be said for France in 2018, Portugal at Euro 2016 and Argentina at the 2021 Copa America. Even in the Women’s Euros over the summer, Sarina Weigman’s England took this path to silverware.
These sides know you’ll only get two, maybe three difficult matches in a World Cup. Squeezing through those matches will decide whether you win the tournament. It isn’t about how many goals you can put past the group stage’s 2nd, 3rd and 4th-seeded teams.
Brazil are a tempting option but I think Argentina are proven to be capable of this style of play. Lionel Scaloni’s side haven’t lost a match since July 2019. That’s impressive but I have some doubts about the overall quality of the CONMEBOL right now.
That’s not the reason I’m backing them. Argentina have shown they can play this tournament style of football and the draw suits them. Scaloni’s side can reach the semis with a likely pathway of Denmark and the Netherlands. That makes them a tempting option.
- Selection: Argentina
- Best Odds: 8.00 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 4/10
Messi and Co to Up-Stage Favourites Brazil
The year was 2002. Brazil reclaimed the World Cup as Ronaldo (not that one) scored both goals to beat Germany in the final. Cafu lifted the famous trophy in what was a record fifth success for his country.
That remains the last time the Seleção were world champions. They are, however, favourites at odds of 5.00 to end that 20-year wait in Qatar. Justifiably so having overtaken Belgium in March to go into this tournament as FIFA’s #1 ranked team.
Despite their strong claims, I am taking on Tite’s team with their fiercest rivals. The only side to beat them in the last 30 internationals – and they managed it twice. Argentina also navigated South American qualification undefeated. A run which now stretches back to 2019 and comprises 35 games.
During that sequence, Lionel Scaloni also guided his side to the Copa América, their first major trophy in 28 years. I am taking Lionel Messi to mark what he has claimed to be his last World Cup by lifting the famous gold trophy.
- Selection: Argentina
- Best Odds: 8.00 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 6/10
Draw Will Help Messi
My pick for the tournament winner is Argentina. Both of the South American giants have a great chance in Qatar. But I’m siding with Lionel Scaloni’s side this winter. Argentina are unbeaten since Brazil got the better of them in 2019. That’s a run of 34 matches without defeat.
There’s also the Messi factor. This will be his final World Cup, and he is in fine form for PSG. Lifting the World Cup would be the final jewel in Messi’s crown.
Argentina’s group is also fairly straightforward. Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia form a group that the Argentines will be confident of topping. Securing an easier draw in the first knockout round.
- Selection: Argentina
- Best Odds: 8.00 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 5/10
Attacking Talent will Fire Brazil to Sixth Crown
Brazil have won this tournament five times. More than any other nation since the competition began in 1930. They’re eager to make it six in Qatar.
Going into this year’s Mundial, the Selecao are one of the most in-form teams. Brazil have not lost a game since their Copa America final defeat to Argentina in August 2021.
The South American nation also has one of the most talented squads. Captain Neymar is in the form of his life while the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Roberto Firmino, Rodrygo, and Antony are all in great form, Coach Tite would look to use that firepower to their advantage and they will fancy their chances in Qatar.
Deservedly, they start as favourites to win the trophy in December.
- Selection: Brazil
- Best Odds: 5.50 (Betway)
- Stakes: 7/10
Steel, Silk and Sun aid Samba Boys
On paper, Brazil have it all. No longer are the Samba Boys solely a portrait of attacking ingenuity and flair. Instead, the defensive-minded options in Casemiro, Fabinho, Marquinhos, and Militao, to name a few, in front of a pick of the world’s best in Ederson or Alisson in net, provides a well-rounded foundation for Qatar 2022. That’s impressive, especially considering the wealth of quality in forward areas.
Neymar will act as the leading light, but Tete will pick from Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus, and Vinicius Junior to accompany their talismanic frontman. The latter, plying his trade in the white of Real Madrid and doing so in some style, has enough to usurp his compatriots in terms of contribution.
Couple the eye-watering personnel with a climate the South Americans will be comfortable with, and it could be a victorious recipe for the favourites.
- Selection: Brazil
- Best Odds: 5.50 (Betway)
- Stakes: 10/10
All odds accurate as at 15:30 on October 20th 2022. Odds may now differ.
