5 predictions for the 2018 World Cup

#4 Brazil lift the World Cup

Brazil are favourites to lift the World Cup

Picking a definite winner in any World Cup is folly. One has to look back to no later than this millennium for examples of the same. France came into the 2002 world cup with the top scorers of 3 of Europe’s top 5 leagues in their side, and were knocked out in the group stage without scoring even a single goal. 2010 and 2014 saw defending champions Italy and Spain respectively knocked out in the group stage, which goes to prove that come match time, all predictions go out of the window. Yet if one was feeling particularly brave and wanted to venture a guess, easy money would seem to be in Brazil.

Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus, Roberto Firmino and Willian headline a potent attack, with a resurgent Paulinho and Real Madrid utility man Casemiro in midfield. Brazil are strong at the back as well with Miranda and Marquinhos, and in Marcelo they have probably the best left back in the world. It is a very strong and well-balanced squad that seems primed to win.

There were worries regarding Neymar’s fitness in the run-up to the tournament, but he seems to be returning to full fitness and marked his return to competitive football with a dazzling goal against Croatia. For all their talent all over the park, Neymar is still their leader, and if he plays up to his full potential, stopping Brazil could be next to impossible.

Coach Tite has played a major part in turning around Brazil’s fortunes. After their poor performances in 2016’s Copa America Centenario, with the scars of their 2014 world cup semi-final mauling still fresh, Tite took over from Dunga and brought Brazil back to its roots. He has got this squad playing with flair and purpose while instilling a sense of discipline and solidity in the team which has transformed them into a feared team.

The statistics and simulations all agree that Brazil are prohibitive favourites for the title, and it does seem a little hard to look beyond them.