SUNDAY:
GROUP A
QATAR V ECUADOR
With all the controversy around Qatar hosting this World Cup and the tournament itself being at this time of year, the players will be more focused on their performances on the pitch. Their manager will surely make sure of that so his side can make the most of this amazing opportunity for them.
They're the only side making their World Cup debut at this tournament and will be looking forward for this game for this very reason along with one or two others. But in terms of their chances at the tournament itself, they might fall short as they don't have the quality that most sides at this tournament have.
Ecuador are the other underdogs in this group as their team doesn't have the quality of the two favourites in Holland and Senegal. I can see them be a team who will stay in games as they set themselves up to be difficult to beat but I can't see them having the quality going forward to hurt teams.
PREDICTION: 0-1
I think Ecuador will win this one because they have more tournament experience than Qatar at this sort of level. Qatar will want to start well as they're the hosts but I think Ecuador will just edge it here.
MONDAY:
SENEGAL V HOLLAND
Senegal will be without Sadio Mane for this tournament which is no doubt a massive blow for them. They should still get out the group as they have quality players in other positions but without Mane in their attack, goals could be a problem for them as was the only attacking player they had of genuine world class quality.
They'll be solid defensively as they have a top keeper in Edouard Mendy and one of the best centre backs around in Kalidou Koulibaly. This will give them hope going into this tournament and this game where they'll need to be watertight as the Dutch do have players who can cause problems.
Holland have a team mixed with both young and experienced players which is a good sign going into a major tournament. They also have an experienced manager in Louis Van Gaal who was in charge of their last World Cup campaign in 2014 and knows how to manage a team in tough situations given the success he's had at club level.
There are however some questions over their team selection with their goalkeeping situation being the most notable. The three keepers they've picked don't have many caps between them and it will be up to Van Gaal to pick the right one so his side can have a successful tournament.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm backing the Dutch to win here because they have a bit more in quality. They may be lacking an out and out goal scorer like Senegal but they do have players who are capable of scoring goals in all positions.
GROUP B
ENGLAND V IRAN
England are not in the best of form going into this World Cup following a dreadful Nations League qualifying campaign. But with the way that Southgate has managed the last two tournaments and the success they've had at them, I believe he'll sort things out and lead us to another good showing here.
Their poor form may lower expectations at this World Cup but after reaching the semi finals in Russia four years ago and the final of the Euro's last year, the players will surely want to go one better at this one. Maybe having a lower expectations can help with that as that has been the case for them at previous tournaments.
Iran will be one of the underdogs in this group like they are at every World Cup they enter. They've never made it out the group stage at these finals and I'm expecting it to end like that here as they haven't got the quality the other teams in this group have.
They'll make themselves tough to beat as they're an organised team defensively. But they do have a goal threat in Mehdi Taremi who is a proven goal scorer at club level with Porto.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I think England will win this one as I believe that they'll have enough quality to win the game. Iran will make it difficult for them defensively but the Three Lions will still find a way to win the game as they have a number of attacking players capable of winning them a game both on the pitch and off the bench.
USA V WALES
USA have built an exciting young team since missing out on the last World Cup which is an encouraging sign for them moving forward. Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic have been at forefront of that over the last few years and both will be expecting to play a major role at this tournament alongside Giovanni Reyna.
Wales are back at a World Cup finals for the first time in 64 years and it's good that they are as some of their players have deserved the chance to play at this tournament. Particularly Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale who are the two biggest stars in their team.
I don't see them playing Joe Allen in this one as he hasn't played much football since September. It's good that he's been selected because of how important he's been for Wales in the past but his lack of action and fitness will be a worry for them.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I think the USA will win this one as they'll have just enough quality to win the game. Wales will give it a good go as they too have an exciting young team but the Americans should have enough here.
TUESDAY:
GROUP C
ARGENTINA V SAUDI ARABIA
Argentina are one of if not the form team going into this World Cup as they haven't lost a game for nearly three years which is some record. They won two trophies during that time in the Copa America and the Finalissima which alongside their form will give them a lot of confidence going into this tournament.
Their hopes will again rest on the brilliance of Lionel Messi who is desperate to finally win the World Cup and cement himself as the greatest player of all time. They relied on him a lot in Russia four years ago but with some good players in and around him, they should fare a lot better.
Saudi Arabia are without a doubt the biggest underdogs in this group as their team doesn't have the quality of the other teams in the group. They're going to be up against a very good Argentina side here who are in great form and one of the favourites to win this tournament. You wouldn't give them much of a chance here for that very reason.
PREDICTION: 4-0
I'm backing Argentina to win this one and comfortably because of the form they're in and the quality they possess. They have a lot of goals in their team and with Lionel Messi being at the forefront of it, I'm expecting this to be a one side game.
MEXICO V POLAND
Mexico have been that team at recent World Cup's who qualify from their group but never make it beyond the round of 16. I can see that being the case for them at this one as I believe that they'll have enough quality to qualify from the group. But are likely to lose to a big nation in the knockout stages.
I can see them be a team who will play on the attack as their players are set up to play that way. Hirving Lozano is their standout attacking player and will no doubt be their main goal getter. They do have Raul Jimenez but I don't think he'll play much as he hasn't played a lot of football for Wolves.
Poland have disappointed in recent tournaments and will again rest their hopes on the shoulders of Robert Lewandowski. His tournament record isn't great either and that is probably because his team rely on him too much to score the goals.
Having a player like Lewandowski in your team does give you a good chance but your overreliance on him can be a worry. I fear that the Poles will do the same here.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I'm backing Mexico to win here because they're an all round better team than Poland. The Poles are pretty much a one-man team with Lewandowski being their only real star whilst the Mexicans work well together and can cause teams problems when they're on it.
GROUP D
DENMARK V TUNISIA
Denmark reached the semi finals of the Euro's last year and have been listed as a potential dark horse for this tournament. Their performance at the Euro's will give them a lot of confidence going into these finals and with Christian Eriksen back and still at his best, they have a strong chance of being that kind of team.
The Danes look strong in pretty much every position but I do think they're lacking an out and out goal scorer. Eriksen can offer a goal threat like he has done on so many occasions but their lack of a clinical no.9 might stop them reaching the latter stages.
Tunisia will be one of the underdogs in this group along with Australia as their team is not of the quality of the other two teams. But they do have a talented forward in Wahbi Khazri who is likely to carry the team on his shoulders as he's the only player in their side who can come up with a moment of magic.
19 year old Hannibal Mejbri will bring some fresh energy to the midfield with the potential he has but their chances will very much rest on Khazri.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I think Denmark will just edge this one because I can see a moment of magic from Christian Eriksen deciding the game. Both sides will be tough to beat defensively but I think the Danes have that quality that can decide a game in Eriksen.
FRANCE V AUSTRALIA
Defending champions France will be thinking about both defending their crown and avoiding the dreaded winners curse. The last three winners of the World Cup in Italy, Spain and Germany have all gone out at the group stage after winning the tournament and France will very much be looking to avoid that.
They should have enough to win the group and this game as they have enough quality to do so. Not having N'Golo Kane and Paul Pogba available will be a massive blow but Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelian Tchouameni are more than capable of stepping up having done so for Real Madrid.
Australia met France in their opening game at the last World Cup where despite losing the game they put in a good shift. They'll need to do the same here due to the quality that the French have and especially with their front two of Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe.
Their recent record at World Cup's isn't great as they've gone out at the group stage in each of the last three. They're in another tough group here like they were on all those occasions and I don't see them qualifying from it.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm backing France to win this one because they should have enough quality to win the game. They might not have been the same team that won the World Cup four years ago but I they should still win this game with the calibre of players they have. But I don't think their performance will be pretty.
WEDNESDAY:
GROUP E
GERMANY V JAPAN
Germany are a team in transition going into this tournament as Hansi Flick is building a team for the future. They should qualify from this group as they have enough quality but I can't see any convincing performance from this team as they're in transition.
What the Germans are lacking at the moment is a centre forward who can consistently score goals. Kai Havertz will lead the line for them at this tournament but he's not a goal scorer like Miroslav Klose. This is what will stop them progressing into the latter rounds.
Japan have had the element of surprise in them in the past but I don't think they'll show it this time round. They do have some decent players in their squad who can cause the opposition trouble but with their group looking very tough, causing the surprises they used looks unlikely.
I can see them give it a go in games because of that surprise element they have but given the quality of opposition they'll be up against in this one particularly, they might fall short.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I think Germany will win this one because I think they'll have enough in them to win the game. Japan will give it a go and look to cause some problems, but I think the German's quality will see them through if if they aren't at their best.
SPAIN V COSTA RICA
Spain like Germany are a team in transition but they do have some exciting young talent in their squad. Pedri and Gavi are no doubt the main ones to talk about with the potential they both have and I reckon they could be the new Xavi and Andres Iniesta in the Spanish midfield as they're both good passers.
My only worry with Spain however is their lack of a clinical goal scorer. Alvaro Morata who will likely be their first choice is not that player as he misses a lot of chances in games. David Villa was the last one they had of that ilk and it could be a while till they find one.
Costa Rica will be the main underdogs in this group as they haven't got the quality that the other sides have. They do have some good individuals like former Arsenal winger Joel Campbell and keeper Keylor Navas, but their team doesn't have a lot of potential in it.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I'm going for a Spain win here because I think they'll have enough in them to win the game. They might not score a lot of goals but with the potential of their squad and the quality of players they have, they should win this one.
GROUP F
MOROCCO V CROATIA
Morocco have some decent players in their side in the likes of Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and Ilias Chair. But their side overall doesn't have the quality that the two favourites from this group in Belgium and Croatia have. I think they'll give it a good go particularly with the three players I mentioned in their side but I can see them fall short.
Croatia surprised everyone at the last World Cup by reaching the final but doing that this time is a long shot. They should still get out the group as they still have some quality players but with an ageing squad, I don't see them go as far as they did four years ago.
Having the likes of Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic still around is crucial as they still have that moment of quality in them. Modric can still control the flow of a game at the age of 37 whilst Perisic can still nick the odd goal when his team need him to.
PREDICTION: 0-1
I'm backing Croatia to win this one because I think they'll control the game better. They have a conductor in their midfield in Luka Modric who is still capable of controlling game in there and I can see him very much do that here.
BELGIUM V CANADA
This World Cup has to be Belgium's last chance of winning a major tournament with their golden generation with most of them getting on a bit. The Euro's last year was a big opportunity missed as it was arguably their best chance to win something as most of their players at the time were in their prime.
They'll still be considered as one of the favourites due to the quality they have in their squad. There are questions over the fitness of Romelu Lukaku but with Kevin De Bruyne dictating play in midfield, the red devils will always have chance.
Canada are back at a World Cup finals for the first time since 1986 which is in fact their only appearance to date at these finals. They've been looking forward for this game for a very long time and they'll just go out there and enjoy the occasion no matter what the score is.
They'll be massive underdogs in this group but they do have a couple of players who can cause teams problems in Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David. Davies's pace is frightening for any opposing full back whilst David has been scoring goals for fun in Lille for the last three seasons.
PREDICTION: 3-1
I'm backing Belgium to win this one because they'll have more than enough quality to win the game. I think Canada may cause them one or two problems defensively but Roberto Martinez's side should still win this game comfortably.
THURSDAY:
GROUP G
SWITZERLAND V CAMEROON
Switzerland are always that team who qualify for every major tournament and make it out of their group. But I can't see that being the case this time round as they haven't got enough goals in their team. They're a solid team defensively with the experience they have back there but going forward they're short on goals.
Cameroon will be the main underdogs in this group with the other teams having much more in quality than them. There are one or two good players in their side like Bryan Mbeumo and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, but they're not on the level of the players from the other teams in their group.
Their record in this tournament has been poor in recent years going out at the group stage on their last five occasions. I'm very much expecting it to end that way this year.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I think Switzerland will just edge this one as they have enough experience in their side to them a game. They may not have a lot of goals in them but they do have someone in Xherdan Shaqiri who can come up with a moment of brilliance when his team need him to and I can see him produce that in this game.
BRAZIL V SERBIA
Brazil are my favourites to win this World Cup because of their strength in depth and the exciting young players they have. They're also one of the in-form teams going into the tournament which will give them a massive confidence boost going into this tournament and this opening game.
They have disappointed in this tournament since their last triumph in 2002 but with the strength in depth they have, they'll have a much better chance this time round. Their bench will be stacked with talent.
Serbia have been tipped by many as potential dark horses at this World Cup and understandably so. They've got a lot of goals in them going forward in Mitrovic and Vlahovic up top and are strong in other areas as well.
Their firepower up top should see them through in this group as it's far greater than both Switzerland and Cameroon. Brazil will no doubt win the group but I think Serbia will finish behind in second simply because of the firepower they have alongside their sturdy defence.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm backing Brazil to win this one because of the quality they have in their squad. Serbia will make it a close game by causing them one or two problems going forward but with Brazil having that strength in depth, I think they'll just edge this one.
GROUP H
URUGUAY V SOUTH KOREA
Uruguay have an ageing squad for this World Cup but they do have some good young players who will bring some much needed freshness and energy to the side. Darwin Nunez and Federico Valderde are two players who will bring that and I can see both make a big impact at this tournament.
They're likely to again play that old fashioned 4-4-2 formation which has served them well in the past and to good effect. They're a side who are always difficult to beat in the way they set up but they can also pose a threat on the counter as they have two reliable goal scorers up top.
South Korea's hopes will firmly rest on Son Heung Min who is likely to play in a mask following the injury to his eye. He hasn't had his best season Spurs this season but for South Korea he's been in good form and they'll need him to show that if they're to stand a good chance of making it out of this group.
PREDICTION: 2-0
I think Uruguay will win this one because they'll have enough quality and experience to them this game. Their squad may be ageing but they still look strong in all areas.
PORTUGAL V GHANA
The spotlight will very much be on Cristiano Ronaldo for this game after his controversial interview with Piers Morgan nearly a week ago. What he said in that interview has pretty much ended his time at Man United and it will be interesting to see how he reacts in this game.
Portugal haven't delivered at the World Cup in recent years and the situation with Ronaldo has probably not helped the team morale. All Ronaldo can do is perform for his national team and I'm hopeful that he'll be determined to with this being his final World Cup.
Ghana are the lowest ranked side at this World Cup which is quite surprising as they have some decent players who are well known. They'll be massive underdogs in this group because of them being the lowest ranked side in the tournament and this group being very difficult for them.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm backing Portugal to win this one because they'll have more than enough quality to win this game. The Ronaldo situation may put a dent in the team morale but I don't see it affecting them here because of the quality they have in all areas.
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