This thread will do.
This thread will do.
The opening match, Qatar versus Ecuador, is on a Monday afternoon, kickoff 4pm UK. England-Persia is at 1pm the following day.
Box office.
Early look at ratings based on estimated squad strength, market odds and historical performance. 0.1 difference in rating is probably equal to around 0.1 goals.
Looks like an England lay against Iran is on the cards, judging by current prices.
You're right, it's a Sunday.
I'm considering decent sized bets on Qatar to progress quite far.
No but it probably could do. Any cross national club ranking system would work. It's pretty crude but probably does alright. Teams with players at Manchester City and Real Madrid are probably better than teams with players at Crystal Palace and Bourdeaux.
Wonder just how much VAR-related corruption we'll see. Some flagrant South Korea-level shenanigans would be great
England will smash Iran
In other stats wankery news, Sofascore have added match stats for World Cup matches going back to 1966, and apparently final that year had 77 shots.
If you watch old games, there was a lot less fucking about than there is now. The start of moves was slower, and they'd roll it around and pass back to the keeper which doesn't happen now, but they'd get to the point far quicker. Kind of like serve-volley in tennis versus the endless rallies of today.
Entertainment versus the joys of physical endurance.
Not long to go now. What do we think the starting XI will be? I've thrown this together - the only possible changes I think are;
Dier for Maguire
James for Trippier (if fit)
Perhaps Sterling over Mount. Knowing Southgate he'll probably start Rashford based on one decent game.
I'd also much prefer a 433
Is Foden ahead of Sterling and Mount?
Don't think any of them are eligible for Indonesia.
I haven't kept up. Is Kyle Walker injured?
Sterling is obviously going to start.
The thought (inevitability) of having 2 absolute bums who can't even get a game for United in the side is depressing in the extreme.
The closer we get to the tournament, the more uneasy I feel about England's chances. These are 3 opponents who simply have to be beaten or it's abject humiliation, but I'm not sure we have more than 2 or 3 goals in us across the 3 games. Iran has 0-0 written all over it.
Every time I think Shaw might actually be a good player he turns to shit and every time I give up on him he's good again.
He does look a lot slimmer.
England will win all 3 group games without a doubt. Probably make it to the semis again if they avoid anyone too decent of a side.
This belter from twitter:
England are winning it all.
Theyll go far enough to get all the tails up and windows smashed but will fall near the end due to being too conservative. Semis.
Out in the group stage.
Goalless draws with Iran and Wales, followed by a 72nd Pulisic winner for the US.
And more:
The England band officially on the Qatari state payroll, do we need any more evidence for the moral depravity of each?
Confirmed whoppers.
They're probably the type to be Ł16,000 in debt.
Dear me.
And here was me thinking the England band couldn't get any worse.
You lot need to start focusing on the football.
lol
Jesus, Gary. Trying to respond like a politician instead of saying like, "I WOULDN'T MISS THIS WORLD CUP FOR THE WORLD! FOOTBALL!"
Game over for Gary that. Absolutely rumbled, with all the points made any sensible person without an agenda would make. God I love Hislop.
Is the Dani Alves in the Brazil squad for this the Dani Alves? What the fuck? Isn't he about 50?
He was in the CM 01/02 database. I guess there's not many of those folk left, certainly at international level.
Australia squad for the World Cup looks, frankly, fucking awful. @Queenslander, what happened?
Absolutely dead behind the eyes.
What a name Keanu Baccus is though.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63554507
The face turn to end all face turns.
You say face turn but it's because he had a much better deal lined up with North Korea.
They'd have given it to Mordor if the cheque had been big enough.
What time is the final going to be? I've just realised I'm travelling on Dec 18th.