WHO’LL WIN IT...AND HOW FAR WILL ENGLAND GO? OUR EXPERTS HAVE THEIR SAY
JAMIE REDKNAPP WINNERS: BRAZIL They’ve got hard-working players such as Roberto Firmino and genius in Neymar. If he stays fit, they can win the World Cup.
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PETER CROUCH WINNERS: BRAZIL Now they finally have top-class goalkeepers — Alisson must be outstanding if he is keeping Ederson out — plus a back four that is tight and well protected by a solid midfield, they would be my pick. When you throw Neymar and all their forwards into the mix, they could be frightening.
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CHRIS SUTTON WINNERS: FRANCE It’s either triumph or disaster with France at World Cups but this year they have all the ingredients for success. Kylian Mbappe can be their star.
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MARTIN KEOWN WINNERS: BRAZIL Four years ago they could not handle the pressure of their home crowd. They will play with greater freedom now — and have a better team.
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BRYAN ROBSON WINNERS: GERMANY Brazil are the popular choice but showed flaws in the friendly against Croatia. Back to back World Cup wins are difficult but I fancy Germany. Anyone who can leave out Leroy Sane must have a good squad.
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They’ll qualify from the group but, depending on the draw, I can’t see them going beyond the quarter finals. If they play with enjoyment though it could bode well for the future. MATT LAWTON WINNERS: FRANCE A squad oozing with talent and a manager, in Didier Deschamps, who looks capable of following World Cup victory as a captain with World Cup victory as a coach. He needs a big tournament from Paul Pogba but when you also have players of the quality of N’Golo Kante, Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe you have more than a fighting chance.
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Anything is possible, certainly after the manner of their exit from the last World Cup and that crushing defeat to Iceland two years ago. But Gareth Southgate has created a squad that seems to be in a really good place right now. I see them going down with a fight to either Germany or Brazil in the quarter-finals. IAN LADYMAN WINNERS: GERMANY We like to associate flair with the World Cup but in reality that is not what tends to win through these days. Germany is what wins through more often than not.
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SAMI MOKBEL WINNERS: ARGENTINA Lionel Messi’s club career has been riddled with defining moments. On the international stage, though, he is still waiting for the tournament that shows his true superpowers, even if he did win player of the tournament in 2014. This could be Messi’s final crack at the ultimate glory. You wouldn’t put it past him.
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That will be a more than satisfying result following the shambles of Euro 2016 and the last World Cup. Southgate has picked an exciting young squad full of pace. But expect them to buckle as soon as they face an elite nation. MATT BARLOW WINNERS: BRAZIL An abundance of talent and not so heavily reliant on Neymar as they were four years ago under pressure as hosts. They have been moulded into a balanced and functional team by coach Tite and this promises to be the best Brazil team since they won the World Cup in 2002.
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IAN HERBERT WINNERS: GERMANY Grafted on to vast tournament experience is youth. Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Niklas Sule and Timo Werner are the new generation. Having seven Bayern Munich players helps as much as the longevity of coach Joachim Low.
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Lower expectations point to a less inhibited England winning their group.