An amazing and mouthwatering offer from WH (William Hill) on the first of the big Round 2 games caught my fancy this morning. ‘18-1 for France To Win, Antoine Griezmann & Lionel Messi Both To Score’. I almost reached out for my credit card but refrained. Because I just remembered this is the knockout stage, Mr.George. Stay calm and drink beer instead.
So I am leaving it to my punter pals Dharmesh Karmokar and Omkar Joshi to do the betting honours.
Three perspectives from today’s first match and a plethora of predictions.
First - the teams and strategies. It is going to be a game of similarities but equally amazing contrasts. Strikers - France has Giroud, Mbappe, Dmbele and the Athletico star. - Griezmann. The Argentinians have even more - Messi, Higuain, Dybala, Aguero and Di Maria. Both teams have enough players to fill the World 11 at least twice over. And both have history of being previous WC winners. That is pretty much where the similarities end. The French probably have the best midfield in the tournament with the mercurial Pogba (Man U star) leading a star cast that includes Matuidi, Lemar and Kante - friends who follow the various European leagues understand what I am talking about. This superiority plus the fact that Argentina has preferred to have 3 defenders makes the French firm favourites to win this game - except if the French pick up a red card OR the Argentinians score the first goal late in the game. Net - if the game starts with an Argentinian back four plus Messi and co playing more middle of the field and hit the French on a counter - game Argentina.
Second - the ages of teams. The Argentinians have 15 players in their side aged 30 or over. While France is fielding the youngest side in the tournament. In a knockout game that may go into extra time, you need younger legs in the final minutes of extra time. Clear advantage to France here.
Finally, there is the ‘star’ factor. Messi knows this is his final chance at winning the cup. The most elusive trophy in his bulging cabinet. Footie friends will also remember Aguero’s last minute extra time goal that hit Man City the Premier league on the final day of the League. Pogba, Giroud and Griezmann from France are also big game players - remember Griezmann was the Man of the Match in the 2018 Europa League finals scoring two out of the three goals for Athletico in their win against Marseille. If any of these stars shine, the match outcome will be impossible to predict right now.
All in all - a great game of football expected tonight ahead of the Portugal - Uruguay game.
I am going for a 1-1 or 2-1 in the France Argentina game with Deschamp’s Les Bleus to progress eventually. The second game is too close to call but has a similar script as in the first game. Expect the Latinos to progress in a thrilling game.
What say folks ? Beers in the fridge yet ?
So I am leaving it to my punter pals Dharmesh Karmokar and Omkar Joshi to do the betting honours.
Three perspectives from today’s first match and a plethora of predictions.
First - the teams and strategies. It is going to be a game of similarities but equally amazing contrasts. Strikers - France has Giroud, Mbappe, Dmbele and the Athletico star. - Griezmann. The Argentinians have even more - Messi, Higuain, Dybala, Aguero and Di Maria. Both teams have enough players to fill the World 11 at least twice over. And both have history of being previous WC winners. That is pretty much where the similarities end. The French probably have the best midfield in the tournament with the mercurial Pogba (Man U star) leading a star cast that includes Matuidi, Lemar and Kante - friends who follow the various European leagues understand what I am talking about. This superiority plus the fact that Argentina has preferred to have 3 defenders makes the French firm favourites to win this game - except if the French pick up a red card OR the Argentinians score the first goal late in the game. Net - if the game starts with an Argentinian back four plus Messi and co playing more middle of the field and hit the French on a counter - game Argentina.
Second - the ages of teams. The Argentinians have 15 players in their side aged 30 or over. While France is fielding the youngest side in the tournament. In a knockout game that may go into extra time, you need younger legs in the final minutes of extra time. Clear advantage to France here.
Finally, there is the ‘star’ factor. Messi knows this is his final chance at winning the cup. The most elusive trophy in his bulging cabinet. Footie friends will also remember Aguero’s last minute extra time goal that hit Man City the Premier league on the final day of the League. Pogba, Giroud and Griezmann from France are also big game players - remember Griezmann was the Man of the Match in the 2018 Europa League finals scoring two out of the three goals for Athletico in their win against Marseille. If any of these stars shine, the match outcome will be impossible to predict right now.
All in all - a great game of football expected tonight ahead of the Portugal - Uruguay game.
I am going for a 1-1 or 2-1 in the France Argentina game with Deschamp’s Les Bleus to progress eventually. The second game is too close to call but has a similar script as in the first game. Expect the Latinos to progress in a thrilling game.
What say folks ? Beers in the fridge yet ?
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