On the eve of the big kick-off of the world’s greatest sporting event, PortuGOAL writers give their tournament predictions. The answers to the questions below were given without conferring – we’re happy to make fools out of ourselves independently!
How far will Portugal go at World Cup 2018? Who will win the tournament? Which team will be the surprise package? Which player will be the MVP?
Read the thoughts of the PortuGOAL team below. Do you agree? Add your thoughts and predictions in the comments section below.
Jamie Farr
How far will Portugal go?
Semi-finals. Portugal have a very tricky group to navigate including former champions Spain and dark horses Morocco, however Santos’ nous and game management could see them squeeze their way to the last 4 in a similarly unspectacular but effective style to that of Euro 2016.
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil. Brazil experienced serious heartbreak in the previous World Cup and will be eager to make up for it. Despite his fitness issues Neymar looks to be entering the tournament in fine form and the squad as a whole is looking strong, particularly with something of an embarrassment of riches in the goalkeeping department.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Poland
Who will be the MVP?
Mesut Ozil
Marino Peixoto
How far will Portugal go?
Semi-finals. If the Seleção do manage to get out of their tough group, then I think they will thrive in the knockouts. A semi-final matchup against Brazil, Germany or France is likely to be too much of an ask, though.
Who will win the World Cup?
Spain. They possess an embarrassment of riches all over the park, are yet to lose under Julen Lopetegui and have a point to prove after their disappointing Euro 2016 and World Cup 2014.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Senegal
Who will be the MVP?
Neymar
Matthew Marshall
How far will Portugal go?
Portugal can win the World Cup, this is arguably the best squad in Seleção history and with Ronaldo anything is possible.
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil deserve to be favourites, Tite has done an exceptional job and they have a formidable side.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Colombia
Who will be the MVP?
Ronaldo
Nathan Motz
How far will Portugal go?
I’ll go bold and say we’ll equal our best finish ever: 3rd place. I’ve long said this tournament might be the best chance we’ve ever had to win a World Cup and I think we’ll beat France in the quarters, lose to Brazil in the semis, then beat Argentina in consolation match.
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil. best LB in football, arguably best keepers at the tournament (Allison/Ederson), Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, Coutinho AND Casemiro to hold their shape. Unless Neymar gets injured, they beat Portugal in the semis and Germany in the final.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Denmark
Who will be the MVP?
Neymar
Patrick Ribeiro
How far will Portugal go?
Quarter-Finals. My calculations see Portugal match-up with France in the Quarter-Finals, with the one-time world champions, in my opinion, having too much firepower up top for Portugal to tame.
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil: Appearing well-balanced under Tite, I’m tipping Brazil to reclaim the tag of World Cup winners.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Senegal
Who will be the MVP?
Neymar
PortuGOAL World Cup 2018 preview podcast
Richard Cole
How far will Portugal go?
Semi-finals until losing to Brazil. It’s a good squad but I don’t think it’s good enough.
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil. It’s going to be the Neymar show but this year with an improved supporting cast.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Nigeria
Who will be the MVP?
Neymar
Rui Miguel Martins
How far will Portugal go?
Third place. This time, Portugal will enthral audiences with their attractive, yet pragmatic style-of-play, which will take them as far as the semi-final, before ending their tournament on a high with a win in the third-place match.
Who will win the World Cup?
Germany. They have the strongest team on paper and they have been there before.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Denmark
Who will be the MVP?
Toni Kroos
Simon Curtis
How far will Portugal go?
Quarter finals. Dodgy defence (ageing and/or weakened by injury) and slightly distracted goalkeeper (and now others from Sporting!!) may lead to problems when Portugal meet one of the big guns.
Who will win the World Cup?
Spain. renaissance under way, with old guard still functioning well and new blood giving important injection.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Nigeria
Who will be the MVP?
Gabriel Jesus
Tiago Estêvão
How far will Portugal go?
Semi-Finals. Think we can beat any side from Group A and will risk it and say we can sneak past France again in the quarters.
Who will win the World Cup?
Brazil. Best manager in tournament turned them from one of the best squads to probably the best team, able to adapt to different opponents as well.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Senegal
Who will be the MVP?
Neymar
Tom Kundert
How far will Portugal go?
Quarter-finals. The Seleção have fantastic talent, but so do France and with one notable exception they are Portugal’s bogey team.
Who will win the World Cup?
Spain. Exceptional quality all over the pitch, a clear identity and have got their swagger back under Julen Lopetegui.
Which team will be the surprise package?
Croatia
Who will be the MVP?
Mbappé