Another day, another loosing bet. Really strange that I haven't been lucky enough to win one bet during this world cup. So I can complain about the Belgian team as much as I want, but I have to admit that I am even performing worse than they are!

No idea what is causing this on my side. Lot's of ideas what the problem is with the Red Devils and it all starts with the coach. The coach who, for sure reason, keeps on selecting players based on name and history but not on form or current quality. The two who do come to mind are Witsel and E. Hazard. As much as I appreciate them for what they did for Belgium football, they just don't have the quality anymore to play at a World Cup. Okay maybe a bridge to far, let's rephrase that into not enough quality to start a game at the world cup.
Also be doing this he does give out a signal to the players who are in the shape of their live, like Trossard. Amazing that he isn't even number 1 as a substitute.
So, the harm is done and can't be corrected again. And luckily his contract does end after the World Cup. The only problem is that besides being head coach, he does run the show. He is his own boss. So who will evaluate him? But enough about that, I will watch the game, drink a beer and more than probably after the game remove the flag from the house.

Group E

The only thing which is a fact in this group, is that Canada will play their last game on this World Cup, but I am sure that they will qualify for the next World Cup and do better. A lot better. Lot's of quality in this young team.

Morocco will probably qualify for the next round. The worst thing that could happen to them is loosing against Canada with 4 goals or more. And while I did write that the quality is there in the Canadian team and just needs to ripe, I don't see them crushing Morocco!

So we can quickly move on to the clash between Croatia and Belgium. Belgium looks like a wounded animal and didn't impress at all during this World Cup. This is the end of the so called "Golden generation", which did bring home the bronze medal from the previous World Cup. But Croatia did bring home silver. The coach isn't capable of making tactical changes, the defense isn't the fastest of the world cup and the decrease in pace can't be compensated with the experience.
I have no clue or idea how Belgium could beat Croatia and qualify, it will be impossible with the current squad to dismantle the Croatian midfield golden triangle. If Belgium does make a Houdini escape, I will consider this a bigger upset than Japan beating Germany or the even more surprising win of Saudi Arabia against Messi and 10 other players.
I do think, that plenty of goal can be expected in both game, so I did pick the over for both games.

Group F

This did look like such an easy group to predict before the WC started. Of course Spain and Germany would qualify for the next round. And now with 1 more game to play, nothing is sure in this group. There is even a situation possible in which both would fly home again tomorrow. Unthinkable but possible.
But Spain does have the major advantage of the goal difference after the opening 7-1 win. The only possible scenario in which they would get eliminated is when they loose against Japan and Costa Rica would win against Germany. It is hard enough to see one of those happening let alone both! So no, Spain is save in my eyes.
The situation for Germany is simple, only a victory could save them! After a surprising loss against Japan, they did show improvement against Spain. A loss against Spain would have been a disaster. It is now easy to write that Costa Rica should give them any problems but I could have also wrote this before the Japan game! But I do see the Germans take the victory and probably qualify.
Japan also more or less does need a victory against France. A draw could be enough if Germany and Costa Rica also draw. But if Germany wins, and they probably will, they need a victory against Spain. A draw would place both Germany and Japan on the second place, but the goal difference will be in the favor of Germany!

I will back Spain and o for the over in the Germany game.

Today's bet: odds 8.812

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Cheers,
Peter