Quarterfinal Predictions & Golden Boot Extravaganza! 🔮🏆 | World Cup Daily #38

[00:00:00] Hi there and welcome to FUT IN REVIEW daily World Cup podcast number 38. The World Cup is heating up, the hot takes are getting hotter and somehow VAR is still finding new ways to annoy everyone. Today we're making our completely sensible and not emotional quarterfinal predictions. So grab a brew, settle in before predictions age horribly in the next 48 hours.

[00:00:30] Hi guys, welcome to FUT IN REVIEW episode number 38 of the World Cup. My name is Grandpapa Mac, and I'm not alone. I am joined by Vietnam's favourite podcaster. It's my very good friend Graham. How are you my pal? Not bad, thanks for that. We were joking off air about our listenership and I was joking to my partner Rachel that I must be the housewife's favourite over there.

[00:00:56] Yeah, you are definitely the housewife's favourite in Vietnam. I tell you it's a lovely country. There's worse places to be a housewife favourite. I know you've done loads of these shows, Graham. You know, you've done amazing takes and analysis of it. But we're going to review the games that are coming up and strangely enough, it's a day off for us. No games. I think it's Champions League qualification at the moment. But we're going to talk about the World Cup.

[00:01:21] So don't worry, we're not going to talk about those teams that nobody's really heard of, even those in their own town. But so let's start, you know, we've got four big massive games coming up. Four previous winners and four potentially new winners. So let's start with the first one. I mean, I don't know which one is box office. So we'll start with France-Moroco. What's your kind of take on that, Graham? How do you see the game going? What kind of score do you expect?

[00:01:48] I think France will win the one. I think Morocco like to play front foot attacking football, which will suit France really, really well. So I think it's actually gonna be one of the better games because it's going to be open. Both teams will have space to attack. There should be plenty of goals. I feel a bit for Morocco. I think it'd be nice if they had maybe one of the other teams, give them a chance of progressing.

[00:02:16] It's like I said, they're another pod. Not that I would like it to be made easy for them. But I think it would be nice if somebody other than a big European or the usual South American nations did maybe win one World Cup to just break up the monotomy and see how it would increase the game elsewhere. I think if you look at it from a Morocco point of view, is it important that Saibari is there?

[00:02:44] I mean, I know his injury doesn't appear to be as serious as what was first thought. It will be severe if he's not there. He's the star man. I know they've got Hikimi, they've got Brian Diaz and a few other really good players. But he is the guy that makes it all work for them. So, he's just got his big move to Bayern there that just shows you how good a player he is.

[00:03:10] To have any fighting chance, they really need Saibari in the team for me. I mean, in your opinion though, if you look back at the games that you watched, have France really hit the heights that you expected? Or do you feel there's a few gears there and they need to turn it up for Morocco who, let's be honest, have been pretty good?

[00:03:33] I'm slightly surprised for France. If I'm being honest, I thought the way France is playing is the way that I thought Portugal would play. And the way Portugal played is the way I thought France. France normally have their cliques and their issues. So, I thought, given that it's Mbappe, Elisse, Dewey, Bercola, they would all want to be the standout. Sorry, I've even missed out to Dembele as well. They would all want to be the star and they would all try and warn each other.

[00:04:02] Well, the realest common surprise is that they're all playing together. It's all through each other. So, I still don't think that they'll hit final form. I reckon they could kick up another gear or two. But Morocco, maybe one more extra gear just to see it. But I think they could coast it relatively. But Morocco are a good team. They could hit you on the counter and you never know. So, they can't take it too late.

[00:04:33] Again, so you're saying 3-1. So, that's quite a big result for a quarterfinal. A top six team playing one of the best teams in the world to be beat 3-1. That's going to take a bit of a performance, that. Like I said, I think the game is going to be open. Both teams are going to want to attack. And I reckon France just have that quality. That top four or five players that they have up front.

[00:05:01] When Morocco go forward, and they do go forward, Hakimi joins the attack. He's the, we know quite well, like Tav used to do. He's at the back post. He's looking to get a goal himself as a right back. So, if he's up there, that's space for whoever's out left. Whether that be Dewey or Bercola, that's Mbappe got an extra bit of weight to play in. So, I just think that France will be able to really hurt them on the counter. I don't say that France are going to set up to be the counter team.

[00:05:29] I reckon they'll go out to be the team that possesses the ball more and be the more offensive team. But when you are being offensive, you are going to lose the ball. And when that ball's turned over, I reckon they could relatively quickly win the ball back and shoot on a counter and pick them off quite easily. So, I do reckon Morocco will score at least one. Yeah. No, I think you're right. I think Morocco will probably get a goal back. I agree with you. I think it would be a very, very brave man to see pass France.

[00:05:59] Yeah, I think like you, I think it will be more than one goal they'll win by. I think they'll win by at least a couple. So, if we think Morocco's going to score, I think three ones are relatively a decent prediction from both of us. Then we move to a game that maybe isn't as close or we were, or we wouldn't expect to be as close at the start of the tournament, is Spain versus Belgium. I don't know if Belgium's going to have that fire in their belly that they took into the USA game. Our good friend Nico Raskin, who plays for Rangers, had a particularly good game.

[00:06:27] And from your point of view, if you looked at the Spain-Belgium game, before you give me the score, how do you see that game sort of develop? And if you were Belgium, how do you combat the lack of ball that you're likely to see with this Spanish team? They're going to just have to sit back and count, or try and find that space and hit it really quick and hard, which unfortunately I don't see Belgium really having.

[00:06:56] Belgium, maybe Doku could give them that out ball, but other than Luka Bayou, but Luka Bayou's not really started the games. So I don't know, to be honest, I can't see past Spain at all. I mean this Spanish team, if I'm right and thinking I'm quickly flicking through results, has not lost a goal all tournament, have they? Well they've not conceded. Their defence is super strong, their midfield is amazing and up front,

[00:07:26] while people don't think they're that great with Ababao, he scores good goals and you've got Luin Jamal as well. So if you're Belgium, are you sitting in a 5-4-1 and trying to block off the space and take this game to penalties, or maybe even the last 15-20 minutes, you're hoping Lukaku can get you something or set plays. Is that where you see the likely danger coming for Spain? I really don't know where Belgium really hurts Spain.

[00:07:57] De Bruyne's not the player he was, so they've lost their nana, Raskin's got a bit of a knock, so then that means De Bruyne's going to have to probably start again. I just, I don't think, injury-wise, I just don't think the team's that great. I know Duke Kettler's started to show a little bit of form, but he's sort of been lost for the last couple of years, playing in Italy. Lukaku is, this is basically the most he's played all season.

[00:08:24] I know he's been injured, but I think like you said, maybe they're just going to have to go 4-5-1, sort of just block the midfield, hope that they congest it enough that Spain can't play through them, they have to go up and over them, and that they can win a header and then counter from there. But I just, I can't see it unfortunately. So, a score prediction then, Graeme, what do you think? I said 2-0 Spain.

[00:08:51] Spain just seem to, eh, they've not really, like France, hit full gear yet, and I don't really think they've had to, and I don't think they need to. So I think they'll get 2-0 up, and then they'll just coast, then just pass about and just keep control of it like Spain does at the moment. Okay. But what we'll do is we'll jump to the last quarterfinal, we'll leave them to the third one, because I think that potentially is the jackpot one. So this next one is Argentina versus Switzerland.

[00:09:21] So they played last night, the guys did a podcast and reviewed that, you know, it was a really good review that you guys put in. So, if you look at it, on the face of it, you've got a team that's come back from an amazing comeback in Argentina, and a team that is not scared to dig in in Switzerland. So do you see a sort of similar game as we talked about with Spain-Belgium one, a team digging in and a team having all the ball?

[00:09:51] I think it would be very similar, but this one caveat that where Spain haven't conceded and they just look solid and they can take control, Argentina just seem a bit lax and a little bit all over the place. So I reckon Switzerland will do well to sit in, hold them back, hit them on the counter, but I think it will be a lot closer than what the Spain-Belgium game will be for me.

[00:10:17] I just think that if Vargas is fit, if Manzambi is fit, and Bolo and a few other players could hurt Argentina on the counter. They've already been hurt badly by Cabo Verde and, I'm sweating off the top of my head here, Egypt was obviously the last name. So I reckon Switzerland could hurt them, but I just think Argentina's overall quality would just edge up.

[00:10:47] Does Switzerland have that lack of pace? I mean, we've seen the goals that Egypt scored, you know, the pace that they attacked at, have Switzerland got that in their locker to attack at that sort of pace? From, obviously, they've got Dan and Doy, he's fast, Vargas is pretty fast, and Manzambi is really fast. Obviously, they flatter to have said there, one didn't play at all, the other one was injured out and came off the bench.

[00:11:14] So they do have it, it's just whether or not they're going to be fit to really hurt. And Bolo's not slow either, he's quite strong. So I do think there's a threat there. I just don't think it's a killer threat. I mean, I know he only scored one goal last night, but I mean, everything seems to revolve around Messi. And unlike Ronaldo, who seems to play for Ronaldo, Messi seems to also play for the team as well.

[00:11:43] You know, do you see someone like Xhaka potentially sitting on Messi and using his experience? He's had a very good season with Sunderland. I think they'll probably leave Xhaka to try and create for them. So they'll be able to put somebody like Gabriel Soe or Dennis Sicario, depending on if Soe's fit, if anybody else is fit and can't speak, Sicario has to play right back again. Yeah. If he can be in the midfield or Soe can be in the midfield,

[00:12:12] I think they would be the guy that does the holding role and sits and even if they maybe change their shape, go back five and have a Kanji step forward and be the guy that watches them. But for me, Xhaka has to be left to be able to dictate the play for them. He's effectively their quarterback and you don't want him tied down, shadowing and babysitting Messi. You want him to be able to at least, if they are going to attack, be able to spring up for them. Yeah, no, of course not.

[00:12:39] So I think you've done a really good review of what we expect in terms of the result. How do you see the game going? I predicted 2-1. I think Switzerland can nick one, but I just think Argentina will just nick the result in general. I could see it being more goals, but I think the difference will be at least one goal. Okay. And then we go to the blockbuster game that I think most of us are looking at and going, maybe the France-Morocco one is a bit as close, but certainly Norway-England.

[00:13:09] This is going to be very much, we feel like, a premiership style of game. In terms of, you know, we'll focus a little bit on England, but in terms of Norway, what impressed me their last game was when they played Brazil, they seemed very in control and kept possession, which seemed to stop Brazil's counterattack. It's a slightly different threat that you've got with England. I don't think there was as much of an counterattack in the team.

[00:13:36] Do you see Norway trying to, you know, retain the ball and not attack as much as they did in the last game? I think it would be quite similar. I don't think that's in their best interest to just sit back and give England the ball and hit on a counter. I think it's going to be a very British game. I think it's going to be back to forwards, very basketball-esque.

[00:14:00] I think there will be pockets of England or Norway that will have the ball and control it for spells. But I think for the most, it's going to be really like a ding-dong game. It's going to be back and forward and whoever can score the most, if it's Kane or Haaland, is going to decide it. I mean, the fact that it is in Miami, it's going to be absolutely warm. I assume it's going to be humid as well.

[00:14:26] Do you, you know, I think people thought that Brazil would get through and they'd be so used to that weather. Do you feel that the weather will play, you know, on open stadium as well? I don't think it's air condition. Do you feel that could potentially have an issue? If it goes on the extra time in that, I think it obviously will. They should be pretty much acclimatised now. I know Tuchel had told all the players after the Premier League finished to go on holiday.

[00:14:55] And when you go on holiday, I want to know why you just have booked. And I want you to book somewhere like a Miami or a Barbados, somewhere that is in that vicinity. The climates are about the same. So they've been there for what, a couple, three, four weeks now. They should be really acclimatised now. But running about in that heat will be sapping. Obviously they will get the hydration breaks, whether you like them or not. That will help recharge, get some fluids in, get the energy gel in.

[00:15:24] But I think it will really tell if it goes extra time more than generally in the full 90. I mean, they're talking that the temperature could potentially feel like 44 degrees. And it's at 5pm local time, which will be warm. They'll have all day to heat up in terms of that. And then from an England point of view, do you see them changing very much from the way they competed against Mexico? They had an absolutely brilliant result.

[00:15:52] Probably would say the result of the tournament in terms of, you know, playing with 10 men, winning 3-2, beating Mexico in Mexico City. I mean, do you see any changes that they could potentially make to this game? And the fact that it's more going to likely be a premiership style game? No, I think they need to play the way they played. That is the way England should be playing. But obviously, with Jarrell Cones are being suspended, it will obviously necessitate a change at right back.

[00:16:23] I know Rhys James has been injured, but they've been working around the clock with the High Wallet Chambers, as they're called. Yeah, High Wallet Chambers. Yes, I have. They've been trying everything to speed up his recovery. So if he's back, they'll be a little bit more offensive, because obviously James is a great attacking player. He's a really balanced, well-rounded right back.

[00:16:49] So if failing that, it will be more of the same where they'll have to go where like Cones are or John Stone's at right back, because I don't think Jed Spence is going to get the game, because he's just not really been good. And obviously every game we've seen Chico shout at him far. He'd do the simple instructions that they've been given. So I generally think England need to play the way they played against Mexico,

[00:17:13] and it really depends on who's at right back, if they'll be more offensive or if they'll try and just really stay the same. I mean, it's built as Harland versus Kane, isn't it? So, you know, you've got, I would say, you know, it's just no surprise Harland is the more powerful, batting ramp type of striker, whereas Kane seems to be, I was going to use the word cerebral,

[00:17:40] but that then means that, you know, that Harland doesn't think, I think he's an exceptional striker as well. Just different style of play. In your opinion, as you give us the prediction, which of the two do you think is going to be happy come Saturday night? I've went three to England. I know maybe upset Ingvi, and I have some Norwegian family that obviously still remain in Norway.

[00:18:05] That'll make them unhappy, but I just think it's England's sort of game. I'm happy to be surprised. I think it is going to be a tight game, but I just think England will share that. Okay. I mean, they play 4-3-3 Norway. Do you see them continue with that sort of style? I don't see why they'll change it. It's worked so far.

[00:18:33] It works well that they can switch to 4-4-2 quite easily. They can go 4-3-3, 4-5-1. It's really adaptable the way that they play and everything's played that they play within each other to service Harland, while we're all still having their own freedom and ability to do what it makes them best. Obviously, Odegaard gets to just float, find that space to try and dictate the play.

[00:19:01] Guys like Nusser, Oscar Bobb, there's the guy at Benfica, but I can never remember his name. They get to stay out wide, run at defenders, get the ball, play it in, or Odegaard or Haaland, or take a shot themselves. So they'll keep the shape. This works so well, it'd be stupid, I think, in my opinion, for them to change it now just to play England. Okay, so look, we're quickly moving on here. We're getting to the end of the show.

[00:19:29] But as I said at the start, we've got eight teams left. Four have won the World Cup, four haven't. So I think you've predicted all four former winners to go through. But if there was one team that wouldn't surprise you to lift the trophy out of the people who have never won it before, who do you think could be that team that lifts the cup for the first time? Just double checking the way that the brackets fall.

[00:19:58] I think if Morocco had landed the other side where Norway and Switzerland is, I'd give them a shout. But if it's going to be anybody that's not won it, if Norway can beat England, I reckon they get to the final and then you never know. But I just think England's got a little bit more quality. So I'll pick Norway. Yeah, no problem. I think myself, you're not far wrong.

[00:20:24] I think if you look at the bracket, to win that World Cup, sorry, to get to the final, sorry, from that bracket, you have to beat France if you're Morocco and you have to beat Spain, and vice versa if you're Brazil as well. But yeah, I think Norway probably have the best chance. I don't think Argentina are all they're cracked up to be. They seem like very much a one-man team. They have rode their luck a few times and people would say they've been helped out a little bit by VAR and referees, but we'll no go down that road.

[00:20:54] So, from your point of view, I think Morocco potentially could do it, but it's too hard. And I think Sabari being injured will make it very difficult for them. Again, though, as we get to near the end of the tournament, we've got this great golden boot competition at the moment where we've got three players right close and also Kane. Again, if you look at the games at hand and the team still to play, who in your opinion is likely to be the golden boot winner?

[00:21:24] I would say Mbappe. I know he's obviously behind at the moment or goal behind. I just think, I reckon they will get at least one or two against Morocco. He'll get one or two against Spain and then one or two in the final. I just think he's on form. The way that France are playing, like I said, they're all playing for each other.

[00:21:50] And he just, the threat of everybody else just gives him that space to exploit himself. Just everything works. It just looks like it will fall in place for him to win it for me. Yeah. And again, just as a quick side note, in terms of a player that you've really enjoyed watching outside of, say, the big ones, you know, the Canes as well, the Mbappis, the Messys, etc. Has there been a particular player that you've really, really enjoyed watching and thinking,

[00:22:19] yeah, I knew he's a great player, but he's actually taking his game to the next level? There's a few for us, obviously. Being Rangers fans, Nico Raskin, I think really should have shown more than he has for us, that he has for Belgium. He's really sure he composed a bit of his game. He could dictate the play a little bit better. Mnzamsay from Switzerland. I always knew he was a pretty decent midfielder in the German league,

[00:22:49] but he's really, really impressed me this time around. There is a few other players, but I'd say Mnzamsay has been the one that's really stuck out for me. No, definitely. He's had a great tournament, hasn't he? I mean, he's no real surprise, is he Sabari when he's went to, you know, you're signing for Munich for 55 million, but, you know, if you don't watch the Eredivisie, you may be wondering why they've bought this player, but he just looks like his quality, isn't he?

[00:23:15] Yeah, but, don't want to mention Rangers too much, but the first time we ever came across Sabari was when we played him in the Champions League qualifiers and they destroyed us and he just stuck out a lot so far, he was just so good. So, whenever I do see you in the Dutch League, he's always standing out, he's always one of the guys that's scoring goals, creating goals. He's got his big move to Bayern and he will do well there.

[00:23:41] So, it's not really a surprise for me that he has been as good. No, definitely. And then, look, we've come to the end of the show and thank you. You've had your preview guys and hopefully Graham's analysis has helped you. If you disagree, please hit us up on our socials, let us know. Maybe you think one of the known winners so far will get through or even win the tournament, just let us know. But, you know, from your point of view, Graham, you're expecting a France versus Spain semi-final

[00:24:11] and then the other bracket is going to be England versus Argentina, which let's be honest, they are two blockbuster games and would also make for a great final whoever gets through those games. But in terms of the World Cup itself, I know we've had a lot of controversy around Mr Trump, etc. and Balogun. For my top of its worth, I don't think VR should have got involved in the first instance. And I think it was so easy to forget that actually there's a 25-year-old player who was wrongly sent off in all of this.

[00:24:40] And it's been lost, I think, in all this sort of kerfuffle and handling. And I know people say that football would be coming to an end because of it, but let's be honest, if you can survive Chuck Blazer and Jack Warner and Sepp Blatter, etc. And people getting arrested at the FIFA offices, I think football will easily survive this. But in terms of the World Cup itself, we're going to award it out of five hot dogs, Graham. We're going to award it a score. But let me just put forward why I think it's been a great World Cup from my point of view.

[00:25:09] I think the fans have made it, I think, if you look at the stadiums, the stadiums, I think, have been the best that we've seen in any World Cup. And they're not white elephants that are going to never get used again. They're actually used at the moment. The stadiums are stunning. I know they cost points or pounds. But I think the fans and the colour and the excitement that they have generated, whether it be the Dutch fans, the left, right, the Tarn Army has wowed America. You've got the Norwegian Roe as well, which people have really taken to take advantage.

[00:25:39] They've had to heart as well. So from my point of view, I think it's been a great World Cup. It's been one of the best I've seen in a long time. For you though, if you were to give it out of five hot dogs, and give us your opinion as well, what do you feel this World Cup has been so far? I'd say about three and a half. Obviously, I felt the group stages were a bit long, personally. I felt there was a bit of lack of quality.

[00:26:06] I found some of the games were a bit meh. I could easily have fell asleep through a lot of them. But now that they've been at the latter stages and there's more in the line, I think the quality has really picked up. But it's normally what happens when the best play the best. You said the stadiums have been really good. Obviously, a few of them, I know from watching NFL and watching MLS, the stadium in Atlanta looks amazing. It's a stadium I'd love to go and visit.

[00:26:35] Obviously, we've still got a couple of games to go. So I still think there's still a bit more to go. And if that really lives up to hype, it could be a four, four and a half, five, just depending on how these games go. Like you said, the stadiums are pretty good. Mexico has had the Mexican waves. We've had Wonderwall after every game. Canadians have been really good as well. So looking at the positives, it's been a better World Cup than I expected.

[00:27:06] I think for far and referees, I've said it before, I think Qatar was the standout for that. But trying to look at more deposits, it has been a really good World Cup for me. No, I think so. I think it's been a real, you know, we had all the scare stories of saying people are not going to get in, there'll be no fans there, it's going to be too expensive. But I've spoke to many people who have came back from supporting the tournament. They had an absolute ball. They loved it. Yes, it was pricey, but you know,

[00:27:36] I don't think any World Cup is ever going to be cheap from that point of view. They know that they've got the fans there. For me, yeah, I think probably four hot dogs for me would be, yeah, and if we have, you know, if the games go the way we expect them to go, if the England games jackpot and the semi-final is a jackpot, and we have a World Cup final to be, this could be one of the best that we've ever had from that point of view. Don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to do the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse hot dog dance that you've posted on our, on the socials as well.

[00:28:04] So no, it's been great to have you, Graeme. So as I say, just to recap from your point of view, and you know, tell me if I'm wrong, France to go through, Spain to go through, England to go through, and Argentina to go through. And if you had to, if you're absolutely right and you had to pick a winner, who would you think will be lifting the trophy? France. I just can't see past France now. I thought Portugal was going to be the team that won it, but France is doing everything I thought Portugal would have done. So at the moment, I just, I can't see past them.

[00:28:34] So, brilliant. Well, look guys, check us out. We'd love to hear from you. If you disagree with Graeme, if you think the hot dog rating is too high or too low, let us know. Leave us a comment on Spotify, leave us a five star review as well. And then we'll be back to normal service when the games return very soon. But thanks very much Graeme for joining us. I really appreciate it mate. Thank you for having me. No problem. Thank you everybody. Bye bye, bye.