Crew predicts World Cup in Russia 2018

13-06-2018 17:00

The World Cup in Russia 2018 begins on June 15 we have already started the warmup by introducing our brand new Match Predictor widget on the clubhouse. At the MZ Headquarters the predictions varies, although some teams are more favored than others. We have decided to share the predictions from four of our Crew members .

There are a couple of favorites ahead of the event but if our predictions are anything to go by, a few teams may surprise by going further than expected.


Crew predicts the World Cup in Russia 2018


aikaik predicts:
  • The Favorites: France
    The French side will repeat the history from 1998 by winning their second World Cup title, after a well played cup without any loss. They will knockout Uruguay, Brazil, and Spain to finally get their hands on the World Cup trophy for the second time in history.

  • The Surprise: Uruguay
    With attacking threats like Edinson Cavani and Luis Suárez I would not be too surprised if Uruguay made it to the quarterfinals, if not semifinals.

  • The Disappointment: Russia
    Despite being the home nation with a lot of support in their back, my prediction is that Russia will have trouble making it to playoff, and the Russian party will end after the group play.

Final 4 prediction:
1. France
2. Spain
3. Brazil
4. Germany

Golden boot award: Edinson Cavani - Uruguay - 6 goals
Cavani will be on fire and 6 goals will make him the top goalscorer of the cup.

Comment: I believe that the beforehand favorites; Germany, Spain, France and Brazil will have an easy way to the playoff, and also handle the pressure well by advancing all the way to the semifinals. Brazil will loose to France on penalties, but beat the Germans in the bronze match to get their hands on the third place. Spain will beat Germany in the other semifinal, but will not be able to manoeuvre the French side.

How will you follow World Cup? I will watch each and every game possible, in the office, home, and at my friends place. The upcoming weeks will be fully booked with World Cup matches, and it will have a high priority.

hogweed predicts:
  • The Favorites: Brazil
    Ital... ehm... Brazil. There is a well known set of favourite teams for this World Cup. I like Brazil's particular way of playing and I think they are looking for revenge after last World Cup.

  • The Surprise: Sweden
    Can we say Sweden? I've heard they kicked Italy out so they must be a super team. I'm waiting to be surprised by the Swedes!

  • The Disappointment: Belgium
    The biggest disappointment is already on the table and is Italy! That said I'd go with Belgium. They consider Belgium as one of top teams of this WC. They left home a great player like Nainggolan and I think it was a mistake.

Final 4 prediction:
1. Brazil
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. Spain

Golden boot award: Gonzalo Higuaín - Argentina - 6 goals
I like Brazil but Neymar is not my favourite player. So I have to pick a different name. Let's say Balotelli. Ah no. Italy won't participate. So Higuain...

Comment: That's the most predictable standing... isn't it? :)

How will you follow World Cup? Italy won't be part of this World Cup so my enthusiasm is not so high for this World Cup. I will follow it on the mobile, reading the results, on TV, when my 3 year-old son will let me use it, and on MZ, where my friends will brag for the results of their national teams.

mikelony predicts:
  • The Favorites: Spain
    I could have chosen other country, like my colleague Thorbjörn (Mr Nap) did with Germany, but I don't want to repeat the same forecast. Spain is one of the favorites to win the World Cup, no doubts. They have the best players in the midfielder line, and a solid defense as well. However we are having some problems to score, but I really hope the NC will find the most suitable strikers to make a good team associations with our superb midfielders.

  • The Surprise: Belgium
    To be honest this country is one of my debilities. In the last European Championship I had faith on them, and again I trust on them. They have a mix of experience and talent, and with Robert Martínez leading them, I really think this time they can achieve a good position. With veterans like Vermaelen, Vertonghen or Fellaini, and talented players like Tielemans, Hazard or De Bruyne, if they are able to make a good equation between experience + talent, they should be taken into account to be the surprise in Russia.

  • The Disappointment: Argentina
    Even though they have the best player in the world, Lionel Messi, he cannot win all matches himself. Argentina has a lot of great forwards, probably the country with the most outstanding strikers in the World Cup, but they lack in other lines, like defense and midfielder lines. They need to build a great team around Messi, like F.C. Barcelona already does, and for sure they could do better, but this time seems they will sink again…

Final 4 prediction:
1. Spain
2. Germany
3. Brazil
4. Belgium

Golden boot award: Antoine Griezmann - France - 7 goals
France is one of the most favorites countries to win the trophy, and I think Antoine Griezmann will win the Golden Boot award, in front of Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo. His last season with Atlético de Madrid has been successful, and the World Cup is the best place to show his great skills, so I am sure we will see the best version of this small but big football player.

How will you follow World Cup? Sitting on the couch enjoying a cold beverage :)

powdersnow predicts:
  • The Favorites: Germany
    Sweden knocked out Italy and Netherlands to get to these finals, and even won against France in the qualifiers. That aside, they are not nearly as good as almost any other team in this competition, which is why I've opted for Germany instead. In 2018, just like pretty much all other finals, the Germans arrive with a squad that oozes class. They have power, speed, technique, team play, patience, and nerves of steel. They can be beaten, but they won't.

  • The Surprise: Poland
    I have a thing for this team. There is flair and finesse, stability in the back and a world class striker (though I am a little less fond of the goalkeeper situation). I don't see them winning but a quarter or even semi final could be beckoning. Go Poland!

  • The Disappointment: Belgium
    Their diamond generation (because golden doesn't do them justice) is in their prime now, and may represent Belgium's best chance of silverware since, well, ever. Most footballers don't respond well to this sort of pressure and I think it will see them exiting fairly early on.

Final 4 prediction:
1. Germany
2. France
3. Brazil
4. Spain

Golden boot award: Neymar - Brazil - 6 goals
Actually, I think Neymar and Griezmann will both end up on 6 goals and share the Golden Boot, but between the two of them, Neymar has a slightly more important role in his team which could result in more chances. Also I am a big, big fan of his playing style (who isn't!?).

Comment: Argentina has the very rare (for them) situation of being underdogs in this World Cup. They didn't impress in the qualifiers and perhaps have a slightly weaker squad than we're used to. However -- Argentina is Argentina, Messi is Messi, and the football is round. They are the football team equivalent of Clint Eastwood riding into a dusty western town with a grin in his eyes, underrated, mysterious and willing to fight anyone. As we all know, Clint sticks around to the end.

How will you follow World Cup? From a safe place behind my sofa, at least until Sweden has been knocked out.

We have started up a few polls in the ManagerZone Federation, where you can vote on which Crew member that will predict the correct winner, which one that will predict the correct golden boot winner, or if you believe we are all wrong!

Also, share your thoughts about World Cup 2018 in our designated forum thread located in the English forum and tell us about your own predictions!