Re: Sportsbet.io's FIFA World Cup 22 Prediction Pool Discussion thread

Sure, odds have been strange for that game but since Netherlands have been playing very effective so far (not many attemps on target), maybe it's for a time when Netherlands are less lucky. But turned out to be a good bet, Netherlands won 3-1 against USA.
In addition, odds are looking interesting for Japan to qualify against Croatia, I don't know why bookmakers are favoring Croatia so much. Croatia vs. Belgium has been very lucky for Croatia...

Croatia is much better than Japan and that is a sure fact and I fully agree with the bookies,Japan beside the game they beat Germany they did not show anything else as they lost against Costa Rica and Spain in 99.99% of the case let them win trying to make also Germany fail to go further than the group stage.

I agree that Croatia is slightly favorite here and players like Modric and Kramaric will be a huge factor.
Croatia and Japan have been surprises so far and while Japan was very weak against Costa Rica but strong against Germany and Japan, Croatia has been very lucky against Belgium. Sure, Belgium is a very good team and their fail during group stage is a big surprise but only in the second half, Belgium had so many good opportunities where Croatia was very lucky.
In comparison, Japan didn't face such a massive pressure against Spain in their 2nd half.
Sure, Spain didn't play all-in but I'm sure the players of Spain were well aware that if Costa Rica could maintain the lead against Germany, Spain would be out as well.
So, I expect a close game where Japan will be competitive of course and maybe that game will go over extra time and even penalty shootout.

Quote from: LTU_btc on December 03, 2022, 09:38:53 PM

Argentina controlled game until Australia scored goal out of nowhere and it made last 15 minutes very interesting.

Very lucky goal for Australia indeed and it would have been very sad for Argentina to get extra time and possibly penalty shootout which are always a huge gamble. Argentina had several 100% opportunities to score 3-1 but missed it and was very lucky in the end. Great save from keeper Martinez in 90+6 as well.

I was just watching Martinez missing all those great chances yesterday and then I remembered Lukaku misses against Croatia. Don't remember when was the last time I saw two great strikers so out of form. Inter Milan will have to create 30+ chances per game to score a goal with those two up front Grin

First day of knockout stages went more or less according to the script. Should be more of the same today and then we have first though to call game in Japan - Croatia. Really hope our boys can pull trough. Those games when opponent presses up high are usually great for us since Modrić and Kovačić are maybe the best midfielders in the world to take care of that.