On June 14, the 21st FIFA World Cup finals will begin in Russia. Here are 5 countries most likely to win the 2018 World Cup:
- Uruguay
I think Uruguay has a great chance of reaching at least the quarter-finals. In Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, Uruguay have two debatably world class centre-forwards, both of whom will be 35 when the next World Cup arrives, so they know this is most likely their last chance of success. They have a good goalkeeper and a very much experienced backline. They’ll comfortably win their group before beating Portugal in the round of 16, which would most possibly set up a tough quarter-final against France.
- France
The French have an brilliant crop of young players available to them right now. The average age of their back four will probably be 24, unless Adil Rami starts, they have vast options and legs in the middle of the park with Kante, Matuidi, N’Zonzi and Pogba, and clear attacking threats with the likes of Mbappe, Dembele and Griezmann.
- Spain
On paper, they have perhaps the best goalkeeping, defensive and midfield options of any team, but there are some concerns about them up front. There’ll be no easing into the finals for Spain, who will be facing European champions Portugal in their opening game, but if they can come through that intact, then they could reach the semi-finals.
- Germany
Germany are always potential winners when it comes to major tournaments; 2018 will be no exception. Their one to eleven will be very strong, with the only major issues being at left-back and centre-forward. Personally, I’d play Thomas Muller through the middle to free up an extra spot of those three in behind the forward.
- Brazil
Favorites to win the 2018 World Cup are the five time champions, Brazil. When you take a look at Brazil 23-man squad, the team no longer seem wholly reliant on Thiago Silva for defensive strength and Neymar for attacking menace. Their central midfield burst with quality, with Casemiro and Fernandinho as holding options, they can choose from Coutinho, Costa and Neymar on the flanks, with Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino providing serious competition through the middle.
Brazil have lost just one of their last 19 matches, a run which stretches back to September 2016, and comprises wins over Uruguay, Argentina and Germany.
