With days until the FIFA World Cup kickoff, I wanted to analyze all the groups and teams within them before the tourney kicks off starting with groups A & B.
Starting with group A, lets take a look at the hosts: Russia. In the last year, they have played 11 games in the past season, wining 3, losing 4 and drawing 4. They have pulled some surprises in these matches including a 3-3 draw with Spain and a 3-3 draw with Belgium. They have had some losses to relatively big teams like Argentina and Portugal and have won only 27% of their games this season. Moving on to Egypt, they have won 1 of their 7 international friendlies this season, losing 3 and drawing 3. They are not in great form winning 14% of their friendlies this season. During the African Cup Of Nations, the topped their group with 7 pts and went all the way to the final only to lose to Cameroon.
Uruguay have a good chance at topping this group playing 7 games this season, winning 3, losing 3 and drawing 1. A 43% win rate might be enough to top this group and head to the round of 16. Saudi Arabia are the explicit underdogs in this group and have played 14 games this campaign, won 4, lost 8 and drawn 1. A 29% win rate might be enough to advance past the group stage.
Outcome based on win percentage:
- Uruguay(43%)
- Saudi Arabia(29%)
- Russia(27%)
- Egypt(14%)
Group B
Starting with Spain, the most likely to win this group considering their past performances in this past season winning 3 of their seven games this season including a 6-1 win to Argentina. They have lost none of them and drawn 4 giving them a 43% win rate this season. Moving on to Spain's Iberian neighbors, Portugal have played 9 games, winning 4 losing 2 and drawing 3, giving them a solid 44% win rate. Moving south to Morocco, they have won of 5 their 6 season games and drawing 1. These great performances gives them an 83% win rate. Last but not least, we have Iran who have played 12 games this season, won 7 of them, lost 3 and drawn 2, giving them a 58% win rate.
Outcome based on win percentage
- Morocco(83%)
- Iran(58%)
- Portugal(44%)
- Spain(43%)
Remember, this is based on if the team is in good form. Absolutely anything can happen during the World Cup, reigning champions getting eliminated in the group stage, a small team might have a long run in the tournament, maybe an African or Asian team will win the cup for the first time. The only things certain is that fans will rejoice and cry, history will be made and it will be a total blast.
@jimotron you talk about football with such passion you make me want to watch all the matches! (we all know that is not going to happen) Keep up the great analysis.