jterrell
Penguinite
- Messages
- 33,934
- Reaction score
- 16,033
ranking sides ahead of knock outs...
Form plus talent.
1. Belgium. May be bias but when you have Michy as your back up 9 and De Bruyne PLUS Hazard? Yes, that's good.
Add WC GK Thibo and well that's a deep, quality side with experience and skill and size and speed.
2. Croatia. Luka is having one right? They've looked sparkling.
3. Uruguay. Look, when you allow no goals in group play but also have Cavani and Suarez you are a serious threat.
4. England. Appears to have FINALLY found right mix of manager and talent. Skill and athleticism both vastly improved over even 2016 Euros team.
5. Brazil. Might top the list for raw talent but execution is always the ask for Brazil and the long-time steadying force of Marcelo appears to be banged up. Add Neymar seems in poor form possibly due to nagging injury and I'd say they are on the whole overrated right now.
6. Mexico. Small but very quick and skilled group who will be a match up nightmare for folks. Weird tactical change for SWE (4 at back) saw them lose badly but sitting on 6 points entering game 3 they can be excused some tinkering.
7. Portugal. Ronaldo is the best player in the world at this moment. 4 goals allowed and only a +1 is a bit concerning facing Morocco and Iran.
8. Spain. New coach a couple days before tourney and a weird mix of old and new guard Spanish players. De Gea playing very poorly. But still capable of some of the most beautiful play of anyone.
9. Columbia. I'd rate them more highly if their best player James hadn't been limping off injured last game. 3rd minute red only thing to prevent them getting 9 points.
10. Sweden. Give them this. They know who they are. They pass poorly and take on no one via dribbles but they are very direct. They defend hard as can be then counter straight at goal. They understand the intensity they need to play at.
11. France. SOOOOOO much talent but honestly form has been awful and they have been flat boring to watch
Not sure the manager has the plot. Then again this is the type of team who can come alive when facing better squads. Still a fair chance to win it all.
12. Argentina. Dreadful form but like France so much talent. Time for some lineup changes... hopefully manager Messi agrees and makes them....
13. Switzerland. The X men play hard and did enough to get through the group but it was not an overly impressive 3 games.
14. Russia. Probably should be higher due to home field advantage but Uruguay handled them rather easily and the newness has worn off for visiting teams.
15. Denmark. Essentially eeked in on a missed PK by Peru. 2 goals scored in 3 games doesn't offer much confidence as you face the rest of the 15 teams left.
16. Japan. IMHO not a better team than Senegal but they did enough to squeak in and kudos for that.
Form plus talent.
1. Belgium. May be bias but when you have Michy as your back up 9 and De Bruyne PLUS Hazard? Yes, that's good.
Add WC GK Thibo and well that's a deep, quality side with experience and skill and size and speed.
2. Croatia. Luka is having one right? They've looked sparkling.
3. Uruguay. Look, when you allow no goals in group play but also have Cavani and Suarez you are a serious threat.
4. England. Appears to have FINALLY found right mix of manager and talent. Skill and athleticism both vastly improved over even 2016 Euros team.
5. Brazil. Might top the list for raw talent but execution is always the ask for Brazil and the long-time steadying force of Marcelo appears to be banged up. Add Neymar seems in poor form possibly due to nagging injury and I'd say they are on the whole overrated right now.
6. Mexico. Small but very quick and skilled group who will be a match up nightmare for folks. Weird tactical change for SWE (4 at back) saw them lose badly but sitting on 6 points entering game 3 they can be excused some tinkering.
7. Portugal. Ronaldo is the best player in the world at this moment. 4 goals allowed and only a +1 is a bit concerning facing Morocco and Iran.
8. Spain. New coach a couple days before tourney and a weird mix of old and new guard Spanish players. De Gea playing very poorly. But still capable of some of the most beautiful play of anyone.
9. Columbia. I'd rate them more highly if their best player James hadn't been limping off injured last game. 3rd minute red only thing to prevent them getting 9 points.
10. Sweden. Give them this. They know who they are. They pass poorly and take on no one via dribbles but they are very direct. They defend hard as can be then counter straight at goal. They understand the intensity they need to play at.
11. France. SOOOOOO much talent but honestly form has been awful and they have been flat boring to watch
Not sure the manager has the plot. Then again this is the type of team who can come alive when facing better squads. Still a fair chance to win it all. 12. Argentina. Dreadful form but like France so much talent. Time for some lineup changes... hopefully manager Messi agrees and makes them....
13. Switzerland. The X men play hard and did enough to get through the group but it was not an overly impressive 3 games.
14. Russia. Probably should be higher due to home field advantage but Uruguay handled them rather easily and the newness has worn off for visiting teams.
15. Denmark. Essentially eeked in on a missed PK by Peru. 2 goals scored in 3 games doesn't offer much confidence as you face the rest of the 15 teams left.
16. Japan. IMHO not a better team than Senegal but they did enough to squeak in and kudos for that.
