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Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo

Soccer World Cup 2018 Group B Preview

Tagged: Soccer, World Cup

Group B: The battle of Iberia

Group B is full of interesting storylines. There is the obvious Iberian rivalry between Spain and Portugal, while Morocco make up a trio of teams geographically located at the mouth of the Mediterranean.

Iranian head coach Carlos Queiroz is a Portuguese native and used to coach the Portugal national team, while Moroccan young gun Achraf Hakimi will come up against his Real Madrid teammates from Portugal and Spain. 

 

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Portugal World Cup Soccer Portugal: Can Ronaldo upstage Messi?

Now 33 years old, this tournament shapes as the last realistic chance that Cristiano Ronaldo has to lead his team and nation to World Cup glory. Portugal will be full of confidence after winning the UEFA Euro 2016 and are boosted by the welcome addition of young talent to that squad, whose triumph was more gritty than pretty.

While Portugal were imperious in qualification, scoring 32 goals and only conceding 4, they were up against a relatively easy pool and the task here will be much tougher.

If they are to progress deep into the tournament, the new brigade of Portuguese footballers will have to make a significant contribution in order to take some of the pressure of Ronaldo's shoulders (not that he seems to feel pressure). 

Portugal World Cup Football facts

Strengths and Weaknesses

Portugal's players are a mixture of power and technique and nowhere is this more apparent than in the playing style of Ronaldo. His attacking potency is bolstered by the creativity in the Portuguese midfield, with the likes of Bernardo Silva and Andre Gomes sure to be looking to assist him at every opportunity.  

The ironic weakness of Portugal is that they seem to be at times Ronaldo-heavy. That is, their game-style over-emphasises getting the ball to the Real Madrid star and waiting for him to produce some magic. Some pundits have even floated the idea in the past that Portugal would be better off without Ronaldo, as it would allow their other players to shine. 

Best Player

No prizes for guessing who Portugal's best player is. An icon of his generation, this tournament will once again be used as a stage for Cristiano to demonstrate why many believe he is the greatest footballer of all time- a certain Argentinian will be doing the same. With 81 goals from 149 national caps, Ronaldo has been a freak for Portugal and he will look to ice his legacy in this World Cup.

Player to Watch

One of Portugal's many talented players coming from the Porto academy production line, Andre Silva is a young striker who has already racked up 20 national team caps and 11 goals. This budding AC Milan star will not only partner Ronaldo in attack, but aim to outscore him in the tournament. 

 

"Portugal have won 16 of their last 24 international games in regular time (5 draws and 3 losses), at a winning rate of 66%."

 

Betting Tip

If Portugal can make it to the quarter finals, you can be sure that Ronaldo will have another bag full of goals to add to his career highlight reel. The $13 on offer for him to be highest goal scorer for the tournament looks great value considering he will take all of Portugal's penalties and free kicks.

 

Spain World Cup Football Spain: Ready for World Cup redemption 

After Spain were crowned world champions in South Africa in 2010- either side of Euro wins in 2008 and 2012- they were unceremoniously bundled out in the group stage of the 2014 instalment in Brazil, much to the shock of the football community.

Hungry to redeem themselves on the world stage, Spain will be a force to be reckoned with in Russia.

Coming into this World Cup, Spain are undefeated in their last 18 international matches. Their latest victory in this remarkable run was a 6-1 thrashing of Argentina, demonstrating that La Furia Roja are in red-hot form, giving them confidence to right the wrongs of four years ago. 

Spain World Cup stats

Strengths and Weaknesses

Spain's defence is easily one of the best in world football. Any club side would love to have either Sergio Ramos or Gerard Pique as one of their centre-backs, which is probably why they find themselves at the two biggest clubs in Spain and arguably world football, Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

With Dani Carvajal and Jordi Alba at right back and left back, and also from Real and Barca respectively, Spain's back four are a brick wall of class and experience.

If you had to nitpick a weakness in Spain's side, it would be their lack of depth in the final third. While Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa is a big, imposing goal scorer, he doesn't quite reflect the quality in Spain's defence and midfield. If Costa isn't firing, Spain may struggle in the goals department.

Best Player

If anyone did manage to breach Spain's defensive wall, goalkeeper David de Gea would present an even more difficult obstacle to get past. The 27-year old has already racked up more than 200 games for Manchester United, where he has established himself as the best shot-stopper in the EPL and now arguably the best goalie in the world. 

Player to Watch

When Cristiano Ronaldo finally parts ways with Real Madrid, many experts believe Marco Asensio is the player who will stand up and fill the chasm left by the famous number 7. Already a key player for Real, Asensio has pace, silkiness and a sweet left peg that can launch worldies from anywhere in the final third. 

 

"Along with England, Spain conceded the fewest goals (3) in European qualifying."

 

Betting Tip

A must for the final four and with all the skill and experience to go even further. They should beat Portugal to the top of Group B, and the $2.35 offered for Spain to reach the Semis looks sweet. 

 

Spain World Cup Football team

 

 

Morocco World Cup Soccer Morocco: Out to upset Iberian rivals

After qualifying for their first World Cup in twenty years, Morocco were drawn in the same group as Iberian powerhouses and cross-Mediterranean neighbours Spain and Portugal. There will be no love lost when Morocco face Spain and Portugal, two countries that they have occupied in past centuries.

Coming into the pre-World Cup friendlies, Morocco have won five games on the trot and are looking like a solid team that is difficult to break down.

While they lack the firepower of most other teams in the World Cup, they have definite quality in the final third. Players like Sofyan Boufal of Southampton and Nordin Amrabat of Leganes are capable of producing magic.

Morocco World Cup Football statistics

Strengths and Weaknesses

Morocco's definite strength lies in their defence. During the African qualifiers, Morocco were the only team not to concede a goal in the third and final round. With captain Medhi Benatia leading from the back, Morocco's defence will be hard to breach, even for the attacking quality of Spain and Portugal.

While Morocco have game-changes in their squad, they don't have a recognised striker that can be relied upon to score goals when needed. Even though young players like Ayoub El Kaabi have played well against African opponents, he and his teammates will need to find something extra to score against their Group B rivals.

Best Player

It's hard to go past former Bayern Munich and current Juventus centre back Benatia. In his illustrious career, Benatia has claimed Bundesliga, Serie A and Copa Italia titles, as well as being runner up to Real Madrid in the 2017 Champions League final. He has all the big-game experience to inspire his teammates around him.  

Player to Watch

At just 19 years of age, right back Achraf Hakimi has already played a handful of games for his club side Real Madrid. You know that any 19-year old who can break into the Real first team, and especially a non-Spaniard, must have bags of talent. He will be looking to stop his Madrid teammates Ronaldo, Isco and Asensio when they line up for their respective nations.

 

"Morocco are undefeated in their last 15 international games."

 

Betting Tip

The group stages have the tendency of throwing up a huge upset result, so don't be surprised if Morocco can hold Portugal or Spain to a draw, or even snatch a win. While you'd be brave to take the $5.25 on offer for Morocco to qualify from the group, it's worth a throw at the stumps.

 

Iran Football World Cup Iran: A rock solid defence 

Ranked 36 in the FIFA world rankings, Iran come into this World Cup as the highest ranked team from Asia. Despite featuring in five World Cups in the past, Iran have never managed to progress past the group stage which they will be hoping to rectify in Russia. 

Like Morocco, Iran's game is built off the back of their sturdy defence. They often sit deep and are hard to break down and will be a stubborn opponent to deal with for both Portugal and Spain.

Going forward, Iran will rely on their national superstar dubbed 'the Iranian Messi', Sardar Azmoun, a striker who can do just about everything in attack.

Iran World Cup Soccer facts

Strengths and Weaknesses

If Iran are to qualify for the knockout phases for the first time in their history, it will be off the back of their defenders. A tight-knit group who mainly play their club football in their home country, Iran have an excellent defensive structure.

Much of this is down to head coach Carlos Queiroz, an ex-manager of Real Madrid and ex-assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. Queiroz has held the Iranian reigns since 2011 and is one of the more underrated gaffers in world football.

A criticism of Iran is that they can be dour, especially if Azmoun isn't firing. Scoring goals in this group will prove an enormous challenge for Queiroz and his players.

Best Player

The profile of the Iranian Messi will only grow if he shows what he's capable of in this tournament. At just 23 years of age, Azmoun has already scored 23 goals from his 31 caps for Iran. Tall, fast, skilful and a deadly finisher, Azmoun is ready to take the next step in his career.

Player to Watch

Just as Iran have the Iranian Messi, they also have 'the Persian Pogba', 21-year old midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi. A tall, powerful and creative player in the centre of the park, Ezatolahi was deemed a wonderkid in his youth, and is ready to show what he's capable of on the world stage.

 

"In the final round of Asian qualifying, Iran only conceded 2 goals. The next best defensive record belonged to Japan and Uzbekistan, who each conceded 7 goals."

 

Betting Tip

Iran will be an interesting team to watch, but don't seem to have the quality to match the other 3 teams in the Group. The $1.80 on offer to finish last in Group B is the best bet here. 

 

Group B prediction

1st: Spain

2nd: Portugal

3rd: Morocco

4th: Iran

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