World Cup Predictions: Matchweek 2

GROUP A

THURSDAY:

CZECH REPUBLIC V SOUTH AFRICA

Both teams lost their opening games and whoever wins this is in a better position to qualify for the knockout stages.

Czech Republic were fortunate not to have lost by more against South Korea as South Korea really should've finished them off by half time with the amount of chances they had.

Set pieces appear to be the most likely way they're going to score goals as they both scored from one and caused South Korea problems from those kind of situations.

South Africa offered literally nothing against Mexico and were also let down by bad discipline after seeing two of their players sent off.

They were uncomfortable defensively as well when playing out from the back but I don't see that being a problem here as Czech Republic aren't a side who will press high.

But I do think the Czech's will come out on top here because I think their physicality will cause South Africa problems and especially from set pieces.

PREDICTION: 2-0

FRIDAY:

MEXICO V SOUTH KOREA

Mexico put in a dominant and controlled display against South Africa in their opening game and I have to say that they look the favourites to win the group.

South Korea had to beat Czech Republic the hard way by coming from behind but they were dominant for large spells and should've been out of sight by half time.

Whoever wins this game will probably win the group and I think Mexico will be the side that do that because I'm backing them to win this game.

South Korea will make it a tough game for them, but I think Mexico will find a way and let their quality shine through.

PREDICTION: 2-1

GROUP B

THURSDAY:

SWITZERLAND V BOSNIA

Switzerland will no doubt have been kicking themselves for not making the most of their dominance against Qatar as they had a lot of chances but didn't take them and it came back to bite them at the very end.

That game will feel like a missed opportunity for them because they were playing arguably the weakest team in the group and he team they were very much expected to beat.

Bosnia will not make easy for the Swiss by any means as they showed against Canada by making crucial blocks and being difficult to beat.

But I think the Swiss will find a way to win the game as they'll have the quality to do so.

PREDICTION: 2-1

CANADA V QATAR

Canada showed a lot of encouraging signs in their opening game against Bosnia but could only come away with a draw.

On the plus side they picked up their first ever point at a World Cup finals which gave their fans something to cheer about and will give the team something to build on.

Qatar also got their first ever point at a World Cup finals when they drew their opening game against Switzerland where they defended well.

They'll need to do the same in this one as Canada are likely to dominate this game like Switzerland did and have a lot of chances.

Jesse Marsh's side did miss a lot of good chances against Bosnia, but I think they'll come out on top here and especially with Alphonso Davies back and I can see his return be the difference for them here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP C

FRIDAY:

SCOTLAND V MOROCCO

Scotland winning their opening game against Haiti will do their confidence the world of good and especially with the tough game they have left in their group.

Morocco will provide them a much tougher test than Haiti because they're a much stronger team on paper due to the calibre and quality of players they have.

The AFCON champions held Brazil in their opening game and their performance will give them plenty of encouragement heading into the rest of the tournament.

But I do see Scotland making it difficult for them as they have a strong spirit in their team and will want to build on their opening game win over Haiti.

Because I think both teams make it difficult for one another, I can see the points being shared here.

PREDICTION: 1-1

SATURDAY:

BRAZIL V HAITI

Brazil were frustrated by Morocco in their opening game and Carlo Ancelotti will want his side to put in a much improved performance in this one.

I never thought I would say this, but I think their current side might be their worst in a long time because there are players in their squad who aren't on the level of players who they had before.

They do still have some quality players and they should still win the group, but their side is not as talented as the teams they've had before.

Haiti made it a tough game for Scotland in their opening game and they'll need to be on top of their defensive game in this one if they're to get something from this game.

They're going to get men behind the ball and be incredibly well organised so they can make it as difficult a game for Brazil as they can.

But I thin Brazil will find a way to win and put in a much improved performance to the one they put in against Morocco.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP D

FRIDAY:

USA V AUSTRALIA

USA were brilliant in their opening game against Paraguay who I thought would make it more of a challenging game for the co-hosts.

They'll be brimming with confidence off the back of that result and I seriously think that they could go beyond the early knockout rounds.

Australia should offer more of a challenge than Paraguay did as they're tough to beat and can hit teams on the counter.

They were like that against Turkey where they got men behind the ball and limited them to shots from outside the box before hitting them on the counter.

But after seeing the US beat Paraguay the way they did, I can only see this being another straightforward win for them and Christian Pulisic again being the star of the show.

PREDICTION: 2-0

SATURDAY:

TURKEY V PARAGUAY

Turkey were disappointing against Australia in their opening game and it was because of Australia being very well organised and tough to break down.

They'll expect a similar kind of game in this one as Paraguay are known for being a well organised and tough to beat team.

But that wasn't evident in their opening game against the USA as they got ripped apart and were a shadow of the team they usually are defensively.

Turkey didn't move the ball quick enough against Australia but they move it quicker in this one, they'll win the game.

I can see them do that because they'll want to show a reaction following the below part performance they put in during that game.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP E

GERMANY V IVORY COAST

Germany played some good football in their opening game win over Curacao and after seeing them play the way they did, they look like potential dark horses.

Their expectations going into the tournament will have been relatively low following their performances at recent tournaments and they should look to use this to their advantage.

Ivory Coast surely have to start Amad Diallo in this game after he came off the bench to score the winning goal against Ecuador in their opening game.

A lot of people will have been surprised to see him start the game on the bench because he's arguably their best player and after coming off the bench to make an impact, he'll surely start this one.

Germany will definitely expect more of a test in this one as Ivory Coast are likely to cause them problems with the pace they have in their side.

Ivory Coast will definitely score as Germany can be got at defensively as Curacao showed when they scored their goal against them.

But Julian Nagelsmann's side should still have quality to win the game and put one foot in the knockout stages.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SUNDAY:

ECUADOR V CURACAO

Ecuador had some decent chances in their opening game against Ivory Coast in what was a fairly open game.

They played more on the front foot in that game which surprised me a bit as I've always seen them as a team who set themselves up to be difficult to beat.

Curacao were taught a lesson by Germany in their opening game just as I thought they would because of the quality of side they were up against.

But they did have their moments during the game including the goal which came at a time where they were putting the pressure on the Germans.

I think Ecuador will again play more on the front foot in this one as Curacao are likely to sit back and get men behind the ball.

Whatever approach they go for, they should still have enough quality to win this game.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP F

SATURDAY:

HOLLAND V SWEDEN

Holland got a draw in their opening game against Japan which was in the end a fair result as both sides had a good amount of chances.

Sweden played a lot better than I thought they would against Tunisia where they played Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak as a pairing and it worked.

They proved a lot of people wrong with the performance they put in after a dreadful qualifying campaign where they didn't win a game and both the result and the performance will give them a great deal of confidence moving forward.

The Dutch will provide a much tougher test for Sweden in this one because they'll be up against players of a higher calibre than they were against Tunisia.

Ronald Koeman's side may not have the firepower that Sweden have, but I think they'll have enough quality in other areas to win the game.

PREDICTION: 2-1

SUNDAY:

TUNISIA V JAPAN

Tunisia sacked Sabri Lamouchi hours after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden and they should at least have an interim in charge by the time this game takes place.

His sacking might be the first dismissal during a World Cup finals or at least the first one I can remember or know about.

It will be interesting to see how their players react in this game as their training sessions may have been different to what they're used to and the news of Lamouchi's dismissal may still be sinking in.

Japan showed character and resilience in their draw with Holland even though they maybe didn't show as much energy and a lot of people thought they would.

They should definitely show more energy in this one because Tunisia will be low on confidence and they'll want to make the most of that.

Because of this I can only see a comfortable win for the Japanese.

PREDICTION: 0-3

GROUP G

BELGIUM V IRAN

Belgium were disappointing in their opening game against Egypt ands especially in the first half as they looked sluggish.

But they did improve in the second half by moving the ball quicker and showing more attacking intent than they did in the first half.

Iran put their pre-tournament preparations behind them against New Zealand by putting in a resilient and all-round decent display.

A lot has happened in their country behind the scenes in terms of their war with the US and they put in a performance to give their people something to cheer about and get behind.

Iran will probably set up in a similar way to Egypt by getting men behind the ball and being difficult to beat so they can limit Belgium to very few chances.

But I think Belgium will find their way round that by showing a strong reaction to their flat display against Egypt and winning this game.

PREDICTION: 2-1

MONDAY:

NEW ZEALAND V EGYPT

New Zealand showed some encouraging signs in their draw with Iran including the link up play between Chris Wood and Elijah Just with the former setting up the latter for both goals.

That newfound partnership has the potential to cause teams problems through Wood's aerial ability and hold up play and Just's ability to run in behind.

Egypt played very well against Belgium by being organised and well-drilled defensively and were unlucky not to win the game as they were the better side for most of the game.

I think they'll set up in a similar way in this one because of the threat New Zealand pose with Wood and Just in attack which I'm hoping they'll be aware of.

But they will still look to go on the attack when they get the opportunity and I'm backing their two main stars in Salah and Marmoush to get on the scoresheet and seal the win for them.

PREDICTION: 1-2

GROUP H

SUNDAY:

SPAIN V SAUDI ARABIA

Spain looked slow in possession against Cape Verde and it wasn't until Lamine Yamal came on that they played with more purpose.

They did have a lot of chances during the game, but they didn't play at the same tempo we know they can and Luis De La Fuente will want his side to up that tempo in this one.

Saudi Arabia had their goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais to thank for in their opening game against Uruguay as his many saves kept them in the game.

He'll need to be on top of his game again in this one as Spain will almost certainly going to have a lot of possession and most of the chances.

Yamal and Williams should both start this game after coming off the bench against Cape Verde and because of this, I think Spain will play with more purpose and get the win.

PREDICTION: 3-0

URUGUAY V CAPE VERDE

Uruguay had several chances against Saudi Arabia but were constantly denied by Mohammed Al Owais in the Saudi Arabia goal.

They'll be up against another keeper who was in inspiring form in Cape Verde's Vozinha, who kept out Spain time and time again.

As well as Vizinha's heroics, Cape Verde were exceptionally well organised against Spain and they're only going to be the same in this one as Uruguay are going to have most of the ball and create a lot of chances.

I can see Uruguay move the ball quicker and play at a higher tempo than Spain did against Cape Verde because that is their identity and especially with Marcelo Bielsa as their manager.

Bielsa's teams always play with a lot of energy and because of this, I think Uruguay will come out on top here but I do think Cape Verde will make it difficult for them.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP I

MONDAY:

FRANCE V IRAQ

France were a much improved side in the second half against Senegal as they got their attacking players in the game more and showed why they're among the favourites to win this tournament.

Mbappe and Olise were easily their two standout players during the second half and I can see both going on to have great tournaments as I said pre-tournament.

Iraq had their chances against Norway and especially in the first half as they were right in the game and almost went in level after Ibrahim Bayesh's volley deflected wide.

But they did make one or two costly mistakes including the back pass to the keeper which led to Erling Haaland scoring his second goal.

They can't afford to make any more like that in this one because France will punish them if they do and especially with the quality they possess in attack.

I can only see a comfortable France win in this one because I think they'll be too strong for Iraq and especially with the quality of players they have in attack.

PREDICTION: 4-0

TUESDAY:

NORWAY V SENEGAL

Norway got their World Cup return off to the best possible start against Iraq with Erling Haaland as always among the goals just like I thought he would be.

Senegal were probably the better team in the first half against France and they should've gone into half time 1-0 up, only for Ismaila Sarr to sky his effort over the bar.

They definitely had the better chances during that stage of the game and if might've been a different game had Sarr put that chance away.

I can see them setting themselves up to be tough to beat because they'll be aware of the threat that Norway pose on the attack.

But with Norway having more firepower in attack in the form of Erling Haaland, I think they'll edge this one and see themselves through to the knockout stages.

PREDICTION: 2-1

GROUP J

MONDAY:

ARGENTINA V AUSTRIA

Argentina got their World Cup defence off to the perfect start against Algeria with a certain Lionel Messi once again stealing the show.

I wasn't sure if he would light up this World Cup like he did the last one because of him now being 38 and in the twilight years of his career.

But he only went on and showed that he can still make the difference for his country by scoring a hat trick and running the show for his team.

Austria got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start against Jordan but they didn't have it all their own way as Jordan did have some decent chances.

They may want to play on the counter in this game so they can stifle the threat of Argentina and especially Messi.

But Messi always finds a way to find his way past tough to beat defences and because of this I can only see another Argentina win with Messi against at the heart of it.

PREDICTION: 2-0

TUESDAY:

JORDAN V ALGERIA

Jordan gave a good account of themselves in their opening game against Austria and although they lost the game, their performance will give them a lot of encouragement heading into this one.

Algeria were on the end of a Messi masterclass in their opening game against Argentina but that game will not define their World Cup.

They'll be expected to win this game as Jordan on paper are the weakest team in the group in terms of quality.

Jordan will make it a tough game for them like they did against Austria, but Algeria should have enough quality to earn their first win of the tournament.

PREDICTION: 0-2

GROUP K

PORTUGAL V UZBEKISTAN

Portugal were disappointing in their opening game against DR Congo and I'm starting to think that they might be better off without Ronaldo in their team.

He barely did anything in the game and I think having him in the team at the age he is is having a negative impact on the way they play.

Uzbekistan were outclassed by Colombia in their opening game but they did have one or two good chances towards the end of the game to draw the scores level.

They'll probably set up in a similar way to how DR Congo did by getting men behind the ball and being tough to beat because that is how they like to play.

They had a good defensive record in qualifying because of them being tough to beat and I can only see them setting up that way in this one.

Portugal may have struggled to break down DR Congo in their opening game, but I do think they'll show a reaction and take the points here because I think they'll have enough quality to do so.

PREDICTION: 2-0

WEDNESDAY:

COLOMBIA V DR CONGO

Colombia showed their class and quality in their opening game against Uzbekistan and it wouldn't surprise me if they topped this group given how flat Portugal looked in their opening game.

DR Congo made Portugal look flat by getting men behind the ball and being tough to beat and I can see them set up exactly that way in this one.

But I do think Colombia will move them around a lot more as they arguably have more energy in their side and because of this, I think they'll come out on top here.

PREDICTION: 2-0

GROUP L

TUESDAY:

ENGLAND V GHANA

England put in a very good performance in their opening game against Croatia and especially in the second half as they upped the tempo more.

But they did look a bit fragile defensively and I'm hoping that Marc Guehi will start this game because he should've started against Croatia as he's England's best defender.

Ghana had to work for their win over Panama with the latter giving them a good game and making it far from comfortable for them.

They can cause England problems with the pace of Semenyo and Thomas-Asante out wide and will likely look to hit them on the counter so they can utilise the pace of their two wide men.

But England England should still have more than enough quality to win this game and especially after their performance against Croatia.

PREDICTION: 3-0

WEDNESDAY:

PANAMA V CROATIA

Panama gave more than a good account of themselves against Ghana as they were competitive and had a good number of chances.

They are a competitive side under Thomas Christiansen and I can see them make it a difficult game for Croatia in this one as well.

Croatia were resilient in the first half against England but they did also look vulnerable defensively and other teams will be watching them and thinking that they can be got at.

Panama will definitely be looking to exploit that weakness and especially after the performance they put in against Ghana who they gave a good game.

But I think Croatia will find a way to win because they still have enough quality in their side despite them being an ageing team.

PREDICTION: 0-1