JerseyJoe's World Cup 2018 Preview

World cup preview

YELLO! JerseyJoe here to give you a preview of the world cup. From an avid Manchester city superfan (EPL record breaking champs if you didn’t hear) and Roma fan (Totti superfan) this will be from the perspective of someone who does not know a lot of detail about the rest of the soccer world (names mostly). So, this will be like you the reader writing your own preview. But first, I need to congratulate the USA for getting the first victory of the 2018 world cup in winning the bid for the 2026 vote! Who cares if it is 8 years away (2 years in world cup years) it is exciting! Yes, some of the games will be in Mexico and Canada but it’s like an older brother having control of the PS4 and letting your younger brothers get a half of a Fifa game in while you take a dump because you have not moved from the couch in 3 hours. There will be 60 games in the states and 10 in Mexico and 10 in Canada. All the games after the quarter finals will be in the US. The bid was so overwhelming for these 3 countries because of already having stadiums and structures already in place (Thanks to the Russian debacle for the voters to weight this pretty heavily). And if you did not know the 1994 world cup was the highest attended in world cup history, which was in the US, NBD.

Let me be the first to say and rub it in all your faces now that my pick to win the world cup is Belgium. Run to your bookie and throw it all down. Going off at 10-1 odds can make some money. Unfortunately for me, the people in charge of the laws did not get gambling legalized quick enough for me to place my bets for these games (No app is up and running yet, not driving the Monmouth to stand in line for hours to place a bet). So, when Belgium wins the world cup I expect a 1% pay back from everyone reading this blog, thank you very much. With all that being said, France is VERRRRYYYYY scary, young, fast, good defensive team and has a great chance to make a run. That is why they are a +650 favorite.

But now onto the games tomorrow! There is a lot of games to be covered and for sake of me getting bored and not boring you I will keep each game description brief and a pick for that game and a group winner. Also, you will get JerseyJoe’s Big Swinging Dick player count for each team (how many good players are on each team).

Group A (The Putin Group)-

Russia(JJBSD Players- 0) | Saudi Arabia(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/14 @ 11am- RUS -225, KSA +750

Pick- Russia

The host coming off an impressive winter Olympics…. Uhhh wait no they didn’t (Yes they did).. Let me start over… Russia back into world competition starting off the 2018 World Cup as the host country. Having Putin as your leader is a huge benefit because you have a very weak and easy group. Even though they are ranked 70thin the world and just about the lowest ranked team in this tournament that is mostly due to not playing any meaningful matches prior to the cup starting because they were an automatic bid and did not need to qualify. Putin keeping his plays and players close to the chest and unleashing them tomorrow, smart. I do see them winning this game and sneaking out of the group because... well the group sucks. As for Saudi they probably get a tie and maybe pull off a win but doubt it and going back home shortly.

Egypt (JJBSD Players- 1) | Uruguay (JJBSD Players– 2) 6/15 @ 8amURU -165, EGY +550

Pick– Uruguay

Two great players in Suarez and Cavani for Uruguay who will probably win games by themselves in this group allowing Uruguay to win and get out the group. Watch for Matias Vecino, midfielder who is young and has a lot of talent. Could show his skills with the minimal competition he will face in the group stage. As a City guy it pains me to say Salah has been playing out of this world as of late (De Bruyne still should of won EPL POY). But… he can only do so much. He will 100% make crazy goals by just dribbling through everyone but he can’t play defense also. They lose this game but I see them winning against Saudi. Not going to be enough to get out of the group.

Group A winner – Uruguay

Advancing – Russia

Group B

Morocco( JJBSD Players- 1) | Iran(JJBSD Players – 0) 6/15 @ 11amMAR +125, IRN +275

Pick- Morocco

These two better enjoy this game because they will both be getting run over by Spain and Portugal in their upcoming games. Morocco has a good defense and their striking has been lacking. Iran has a promising young striker but that’s about it. I am going with defense and picking morocco.

Spain(JJBSD Players- 3) | Portugal(JJBSD Players- 3) 6/15 @ 2pm ESP -110, POR +345

Pick – Spain

Two HUGE name teams facing off on day 2 of the first-round games. If you bet on either of these teams to win the whole thing I feel sorry because it’s not going to happen. Fun fact, Portugal has never won a world cup even though they have had the worlds “best player” for years. Yes, both teams will make it out of the group stages but both have huge holes that will limit their run. Spain has a good defense (Hate their goalkeeper…) and an excellent mid field. But who will take charge and score the goals? Portugal is getting older. Yes, they have big names but they are over the age of 34. Spain takes this one and again, both get out of the group, but I see Portugal possibly not making past the quarters.

Group B Winer- Spain

Advancing – Portugal

Group C

France(JJBSD Players- 4) | Australia(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/16 @ 6amFRA -400, AUS +1300

Pick- France

I pick France but look at the date and time... a lot of 6’s in there so if anything spooky happens in the first round of games it will be this one. France obviously with too many JerseyJoe Big Swinging Dick Players (Trademark pending) and Australia is the worst in the group. France talking about finals win or bust. Possible champions here if they can stay healthy and their injured players don’t get injured again. I want to delete that last sentence because look at their bench, their injured guys can stay injured and their bench can win some games in this world cup as their own country if they put a team together. Australia loses and does not advance.

Peru(JJBSD Players- 0) | Denmark(JJBSD Players- 2) 6 16 @12pmDEN +135, PER +220

Pick- Denmark

Yes, I am taking another favorite. This isn’t march madness so upsets rarely happen… I think. A lot of people were predicting Peru having a good chance getting out of the group. I do not. Not going to comment on the whole Guerrerowhite substance, cocaine thing but yea.. he’s not playing and that doesn’t help Peru. Denmark has a game changer up front and a well-established champion goalie at the back end. Denmark wins and gets out of the group.

Group C Champion- France

Advancing Denmark

Group D

Argentina(JJBSD Players- 3) | Iceland(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/16 @ 9amARG -285, ISL +950

Pick Argentina

Another huge name in the cup that is all hype. Yes they have 3 JerseyJoe Big Swinging Dick Players (Trademark pending) but they are all strikers. A great, young, promising midfielder but defense can be suspect at times. Don’t think they have enough to make a splash after the group stage. Iceland who took the USA by storm with the “Viking Clap” which looks cool as shit when a whole stadium gets into it. But, the heart and determination this team has won’t be enough in this game and group. Even though Argentina lost 6-1 to Spain in a friendly leading up they will get out the group. How far they go from there…. Not too sure. The window on Argentina and Messi is closing fast.

Croatia(JJBSD Players- 2) | Nigeria(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/16 @ 3pmCRO -145, NGA +450

Pick- Croatia

Croatia is the second-best team in this group but can easily slip up. They win this game they put themselves in a very good spot moving on. That is what I think will happen, their midfield is getting older but still really big names who play in big games all year. Nigeria just doesn’t have any star power to hold their own.

Group D Winner- Argentina

Advancing Croatia

Group E

Costa Rica(JJBSD Players- 0) | Serbia( JJBSD Players- 0) 6/17 @ 8amSRB -115, CRC +370

Pick- Serbia

I thought I was picking my first underdog until I saw the line for this match. Apparently, everyone agrees with me. I am picking Serbia to get out of this group. Good midfield and pretty good defense. Yes, they are ageing but their players will have enough energy to get enough points to move on. Costa Rica has to many players that play in the MLS and to me that’s not a good thing.

Brazil(JJBSD Players- 4) | Switzerland(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/17 2 PMBRA -245, SUI +700

Pick- Brazil

Yea, Brazil is stacked and 1 of the heavy favorites for champions this year. I can’t find any holes in it. Stars everywhere, speed, power, defense, everything. Switzerland has a good lineup for a small country but just won’t be enough. A lot of average to good players but Brazil may win it all so getting out of this group won’t be a problem.

Group E Champions- Brazil

Advancing- Serbia

Group F

Germany(JJBSD Players- 2) | Mexico(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/17 11amGER -205, MEX -205

Pick-……………… Germany

Total pick em game, two very similar teams. Obviously, Germany coming off a world cup win 4 years ago and has made the semi finals since 2002!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mexico a team who also makes a lot of semifinals. A lot of quality on this team who can make a run. Going back and forth on who to pick, can totally see a tie and both teams getting out of the group, but I am a man of integrity and went with Germany because they have more stars. I will say however neither of these teams will make the semifinals, too many holes and ageing players.

Sweden(JJBSD Players- 0) | South Korea(JJBSD Players- 1) 6/18 @ 8amSWE +105, KOR +300

Pick- South Korea

When I learned to Ibra for the Sweden team this year I lost interest in watching their games. They are good but in too much of a tough group. They do have a couple big name people, but they are big names because they never panned out the way their clubs wanted them too. South Korea will take this game. The game against Mexico will determine who finished second in the group.

Group F Champion- Germany

Advancing- Mexico

Group G

Belgium(JJBSD Players- 5) | Panama(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/18 @ 11amBEL -575, PAN +2000

Pick- Belgium

THE CHAMPS ARE HERE! Good ole Belgium will take the feld on Monday destined for greatness. Great defense, best player in EPL in their midfield ( ;) ) and strikers on strikers on strikers. Yes, their defense is getting old, but the second Germany raised the cup 4 years ago I was praising Belgium waiting for this moment. Panama is just happy to be there. I am happy for them that they qualified, and they have a decent team. But as mentioned before, there are too many MLS players to make a dent in destiny. If they get a point in this group it will be a success, I hope they do.

Tunisia(JJBSD Players- 0) | England(JJBSD Players- 3) 6/18 @ 2pmENG -240, TUN +800

Pick- England

Too much star power for England in this one and won’t have a problem getting out of the group. A lot of big names and has the potential to score a shitload of goals but their defense is suspect, especially if John Stones is in (Insert meme of a pile of stones and john stones to pick which one is better). Tunisia just not enough power here. I am however looking for Tunisia v Panama and think that will be a must watch game of the first week.

Group G Champions- Belgium

Advancing England

Group H

Columbia(JJBSD Players- 2) | Japan(JJBSD Players- 0) 6/19 @ 8amCOL -150, JPN +475

Pick- Columbia

I would hammer Columbia in this game.. only -150!?!? Not sure why that’s what it is because Japan doesn’t have a great team. Yes, I will admit I do not follow the Japanese league pretty much at all but I know they have a good midfield, people who can control the ball but someone has to put it in the net and someone has to stop the balls from going in if you didn’t know how soccer works. Columbia can make some serious noise in this World Cup. I mean, who wouldn’t want a team to go as far as possible with a head coach named Pekerman. It’s fun to say, try it, Peker-Man.

Poland(JJBSD Players- 1) | Senegal(JJBSD Players- 1) 6/19 @ 11amPOL +130, SEN +225

Pick- Poland

Everyone is all over Senegal’s dick saying they can make some real noise. The people taking bets and myself do not see it that way. Yes, they have Mane, a phenomenal player and a lot of big name guy but don’t see them playing organized to put it together to make some real noise. Poland on the other hand wont overly impress you but they have a pretty good squad. Lewandowskiis legit and will go down as Poland’s best player ever. Solid midfield and back end will get Poland out of the group. From there on it’s a coin toss but having someone like Lewandowskion your side can take you deep in the tournament.

Group H Winner- Columbia

Advancing- Poland

So, there you have it, don’t @ me when I am completely wrong and Senegal wins it all.

Twitter- JMartJr