Hello there. So seems like everyone but me is enjoying the World Cup. I guess now more than ever I’ve come to realise I’m a bigger Arsenal fan than I am a football fan. Were Arsenal not to exist any more, I think I’d only ever loosely follow results in football rather than sit through matches.
Even for England’s game vs Panama I chose to have it on my iPad whilst I tidied the house. Maybe it’s linked to my watching habits during the last season. I found when I watched the Arsenal games intently I got really worked up and close to having a heart attack when we were hanging on to a goal lead.
But at the midpoint of the season I started watching more games with the OddSon – most of the time without a choice as Mrs OddFather left him with me. What I found was games were easier to watch because I was distracted throughout the game and therefore watching with less intensity than before.
Anywho. Having no knowledge of most performances this World Cup – I’m going to blindly predict the remaining results of the competition.
Round of 32
- South Africa 1 – 2 Canada
This game is about to kick off at the time of writing and will be over by the time I post this. I’m going to say seeing as I have family in Canada they will edge it.
EDIT: Canada did win, but just the one goal to nil. - Netherlands 2 – 0 Morocco
There’s going to be a lot of bias in these predictions. And my love for Dennis Bergkamp has me predicting a fairly comfortable win for Netherlands. - Germany 3 – 1 Paraguay
Kai Havertz to score a brace against a team I have little knowledge of. - France 4 – 1 Sweden
I initially expected France not to gel as a team. I was wrong. They’re looking scarily good. Gyökeres to get a consolation goal. - Belgium 1 – 1 Senegal (Pens)
First “shock” in my predictions. Belgium I feel have been a bit disappointing based on my gut feeling when looking at results. Senegal to scrape through via penalties. - USA 3 – 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Host nation going to host nation this game. - Spain 2 – 0 Austria
Spain to grab a couple of early goals and then just keep Austria at arms length. - Portugal 2 – 2 Croatia (Pens)
During England’s game there was a lot of talk about how England wouldn’t want Portugal in the next round. I think that’s a bit BS – Portugal don’t scare me, as doesn’t Ronaldo these days. Even then, Portugal to just about win on Penalties. - Brazil 2 – 1 Japan
This one was a tough one. I’ve always held a bit of a soft spot for Japan. Not sure why really. For that reason I think it’ll be a tight game – but Brazil were my favourites before the World Cup kicked off and this gives them the edge in my book. - Ivory Coast 1 – 2 Norway
Odegaard and Haaland to fire Norway to the next stages. - Mexico 0 – 0 Ecuador (Pens)
For no reason at all, I think this will be a pretty dull game. But Mexico will make it through on Penalties. Am I predicting too many games going to penalties? - England 5 – 1 DR Congo
I’m predicting a thumping here. Can you tell I’m English? If I really want to maximise the bias I will say a Saka hat-trick, Eze brace, and Rice and Madueke assisting all goals. Maybe Morgan Rogers too if he decides to sign for Arsenal. Hey – these are my predictions so I can make the rules up!
- Switzerland 1 – 0 Algeria
Tight game but Switzerland will edge it – let’s say in Extra Time to spice things up. - Columbia 2 – 1 Ghana
I like Columbia’s colours. Yes, you won’t find this sort of insight anywhere else. - Australia 1 – 0 Egypt
I’m predicting an upset here. Australia for Mrs OddFather, who is an Aussie. But mainly because I have Australia in the sweepstakes. - Argentina 7 – 0 Cape Verde
Sad as it will be for Cape Verde I reckon Argentina will completely wipe the floor with them.
Round of 16
- Canada 0 – 2 Netherlands
The Netherlands will continue their efficient performances and progress to the Quarters. Sorry Canadian OddFamily. - Germany 1 – 1 France (Pens)
I reckon Germany will give France a game here. But France will win on penalties. - Senegal 1 – 3 USA
USA will continue their run, spurred on as a host nation. - Spain 2 – 0 Portugal
I don’t know if I’ve ever made this clear enough – but I really do not like Portugal. Ronaldo has a large part to play for that. Therefore, Spain will do it for me.
LOL.
- Brazil 2 – 1 Norway
The Big Gabi (and Martinelli) vs Odegaard derby. It saddens me to say this is where the race finishes for Norway. - Mexico 0 – 0 England (Pens)
This is going to be a very tight and uncomfortable game. But England will seal it on penalties. - Switzerland 3 – 4 Columbia
This will be a crazy back and forth game. Because I feel like a crazy back and forth game somewhere in my predictions. Xhaka going to Chelsea is the reason for their loss. Because I’m really that powerful. - Australia 0 – 3 Argentina
The Messi goal fest continues. And will leave me out of pocket in the sweepstakes. And will leave Mrs OddFather indifferent. Also – both countries contain 9 letters and start and finish with A. You won’t find better insight.
Quarter Finals
- Netherlands 2 – 3 France
This will be a crazy game. But France will be too strong for Netherlands. - USA 0 – 1 Spain
USA won’t go down without a fight. But Spain will deservedly win it. - Brazil 1 – 1 England (Pens)
Crap. I wasn’t as prepared for this as I thought. Well, if I went for my initial prediction – I predicted England would make it to the Quarters so let’s go for that. I’ll give us a penalty shootout loss. Sorry England – it’s still not coming home.
- Columbia 1 – 2 Argentina
Argentina will see this game through. It will be fairly comfortable but Columbia will grab a late goal for a nervy finish.
Semi Finals
- France 3 – 1 Spain
Wow. What tasty semi final matches. I reckon this game will be tight after a couple of goals making it 1-1 pretty early on. After that it’ll be a cagey game but France will strike and then again late on when Spain throw everything forward leaving themselves open at the back. - Brazil 1 – 0 Argentina
You know what? I predicted Brazil to be finalists. And I reckon they will edge this game too. Sorry Messi, Big Gabi will have you in his pocket.
Final
France vs Brazil
Oh crikey. This leaves the Saliba vs Gabi final. I don’t want either of them to lose. Especially after the UCL final loss. Neither deserves to go close but go home empty-handed again. Funnily enough – this was the final I predicted before the World Cup kicked off.
I think I’m stalling because I don’t want to have to choose. The obvious answer is France as they probably are the strongest team in the competition. And for that reason I’m going to predict a Brazil win.
Just to finish the story – let’s say it goes to penalties with Big Gabi scoring the winning penalty.
Winner: Brazil
So there you have it. My drawn out predictions. I don’t know Jack though. Cape Verde are obviously going to win the World Cup.
Will check back next week to see how well/badly my predictions go.
