Servus Syndicate Members,
I trust this post finds everyone fully prepared as we enter tournament’s “Blitz
Phase”. Much shall be revealed over the next short 96 hours. Heroes will
emerge. Tears shall be shed. Shocking results will leave you scraping your jaw
of the floor.
A few of you will make your money back.
Let no doubt nest in your mind that the full Argentine collapse is
imminent. It’s over. Your friendly bookie recognizes a World Cup Meltdown when
he sees one. All that remains will be to watch them completely come apart under
chaotically bifurcated leadership on Tuesday.
Also flirting with disaster are the surprisingly stuck French, who appear
unable to find second gear in their rickety compact Peugot. They’ll have to
smack the stick against the Danes on Tuesday should they wish to stay in Russia.
Neither the Spanish nor the Portuguese have booked safe passage to the
Knockouts yet. They both square off against formidable opposition tomorrow.
Iran can yet steal a spot from them.
Elsewhere the Brazilians, Swiss, Swedes, and my Krauts fight for their
lives. Members of the Syndicate’s Polish Contingent—believe it or not we have
one—watched with melancholic eyes as their country became the first Giant to
fall. Cinderellas emerge. Japan, Senegal, Nigeria, and Serbia are all excellent
candidates. Russia, Iceland, Australia, Iran, and Sweden…not so much. Don’t
believe any hype surrounding those teams. It’s all broken to down in the
Dailies, where me and the boys are having a blast!
Typically, as this phase of the tournament begins, we take a moment to ruminate
on the tortured soul of the “Completeionist”; an impractical ilk to which many
of us belong. Completionists dread this stage of the tournament. Simultaneous
kickoffs mean that one is often forced to decide between two equally desirable
live matches. DVRing simply isn’t the same. We experience a pang of dread as
unpleasant childhood memories surface. Europeans recall the unfinished Panini
Sticker Album; Americans the incomplete Baseball Card Set missing that one
player.
Should you only be a passive sports fan, your friendly bookie still feels
you. Anyone who has ever put their time in on a video game console can relate
to the well-known rant from the WM 2014 Day Twelve Recap.
Dammit, Shadow. Now we’ve got to do this…all…over…again.
Won’t you at least join me as my special imaginary guest to present these
lines? It’s an honor.
Monday, June 25th
Group
A Final Kickoff @ 18:00 (UTC +4)
Less than two weeks removed from meekly hoping not to be
embarrassed, rabid Russia fans will now expect their surging Sbornaya to top
the group. The momentum-riding Golden Eagles will do their utmost to keep
riding the wave. First place in this context still doesn’t carry with it any
clear-cut advantages. With Spain and Portugal level on all tiebreakers, the
Knockout Round Opponent remains a total crapshoot. No point in attempting to
control one’s destiny when neither one of those foes constitutes an easier
path.
Expect Cherchesov to thusly play for the win, but not
overplay. He won’t hesitate to rest players or yank them early. Priority one
will be to keep everyone healthy and eligible for the next stage.
Some consolation pride at stake in the other match. Those
feeling sorry Salah and his Pharaohs will be pleased to know that they’ll have
a chance to finally sparkle and exit on a high-note.
Sigh. If only the scheduling draw had worked out
differently.
Russia vs. Uruguay
vs.
As your friendly bookie has stated on several occasions
throughout our journey together, the Dzagoev injury serendipitously gifted
Cherchesov his best eleven. He now has Cheryshev and Golovin beaming with
confidence in attack. As I predicted, he tapped the fully resurrected Dzyuba to
lead the Stürm in the second match. Results could not have been better. Many
currently augur a third victory for the high-flying Golden Eagles. With so many
attacking options, how can they lose?
I’ll be kind enough to tell you how. The Ruskies face their
first genuine defensive unit thus. The young guns will find themselvers
ill-equipped to deal with true professionals like Godin and Gimenez. Their own
defensive midfield has been less than awe-inspiring. Zobnin and Gazinsky are
dipping in form. Samedov’s and Fernandez have been essentially carrying their
asses. One witnessed the frustration late in the Egypt match.
Zhirkov and Golovin are also unsurprisingly on the downward
trajectory. Russia needs changes ahead of this showdown; one Cherchesov can’t
afford to be gallant enough to implement. In competitions such as this, fans
and coaches alike fear tinkering with lineups they feel are already prove. The
“If it a’int broke” maxim pummels managers should their changes ultimately prove
unsuccessful. It’ll likely take a loss here to wake everyone up.
The Russians are not contenders. This bookie isn’t ready to
accord them Cinderella status yet either.
THE
LINE: Uruguay +1 Goal
Saudi Arabia vs. Egypt
vs.
Don’t despair, Salah enthusiasts. Though the Saudis played
significantly better at the back with Otayf and Al-Buhaihi shoring up the
guard, they remain an absolute disaster defensively. Both Salah and Hassan (or
“Trezeguet” if you must) will have a field day on the flanks, exiting the grand
stage on an emphatic high note.
Bookie tips a 3-1 scoreline, with Al-Sahlawi pulling back a
late stage consolation goal. In their own modest way, the Green Falcons take
something positive with them. They actually score a goal. Woo-Hoo! It’s not as
bad as 2002, boys!
DVR this one and catch up later. It’ll be a good one as it’s
not a meaningless match for the 22 on the pitch.
THE
LINE: Egypt +2 Goals
Initial
Group Projection (5/26/2018)
1)
Uruguay 2)
Russia 3)
Egypt 4)
Saudi Arabia
Final
Group Projection (6/24/2018)
(2
to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1)
Uruguay 2)
Russia 3)
Egypt 4)
Saudi Arabia
Group
B Final Kickoff @ 21:00 (UTC +3)
Team Melli isn’t technically out of it yet, so expect
Quieroz to be at his best. His defensive wizardry is the only way to keep them
competitive. It won’t suffice if the underdog Persian Princes wish to advance.
A draw does them no good here; not with Spain expected to increase their goal
differential and the Navigators sitting on theirs. He’ll need to take dangerous
chances with his tepid midfield. Accordingly, we should see plenty of early
action in the more intriguing affair.
None of that serves to suggest that the other match isn’t
also intriguing. Simultaneous kick-off in a group where every goal matters and
every moment matters! Great stuff, gentlemen.
Whatever way it shakes out, something historic is about to
occur. I’ll tip that above all else. Full throttle from all four teams,
including Renard’s eliminated Morocco. All four matches will be closely contested.
Heroes shall be forged in the trenches just outside the six.
Iran vs. Portugal
vs.
These two teams met once upon a time way back in Syndicate
Lore. In 2006 your friendly bookie projected Portugal—and their then
21-year-old phenom Cristiano Ronaldo—as the favorites to win it all in Germany.
The match itself and subsequent retroactive notes added in 2012 inspired one of
my first forays into the obsessive study of footballing tactics. Syndicate
newcomers might appreciate it. Couldn’t find room to repost it in the Group B
Preview section, so I added it in Group C directly underneath Peru’s segment.
Anyways, back to this match. Many analysts, armchair and
otherwise, believe that Ronaldo’s form took a very visible dive against
Morocco. Though he scored a cracker of an opening early goal, his touch,
dribbling, and awareness faded throughout the remaining 85 minutes. This causes
concern as he squares off against his former National team manager; the man who
mentored him at Manchester United and stewarded him through his first true
breakout spell in 2008.
Queiroz will prepare a very diligent gameplan. We may even
see that aggressive 3-4-3 he used against Renard in the opening match.
Unfortunately, this bookie just doesn’t see it working. The attacking axis of
Azmoun, Jahanbakhsh, and Goochannejad hasn’t produced anything of note against
real competition. Ansarifard and Teremi have been M.I.A. as well. They’re not
getting past Pepe and Fonte.
Team Melli keeps it close, but the Navigators ultimately
prevail. Maybe Guedes even scores.
THE
LINE: Portugal +1 Goal
Spain vs. Morocco
vs.
I will project a shocker here. The Atlas Lions remain a
well-pieced together side in the tournament’s toughest group. They’ve never
gotten a chance to fully implement their trademark system. After nearly
claiming a Portuguese scalp, Amrabat, Ziyech, and Mehdi are in the mood. We
haven’t heard the last of Bouhaddouz or El Kaabi either. One of these guys will
surely convert one of the many chances the allowed by some surely tired legs in
the aging midfield.
La Roja remain strong enough to preclude the outright win.
If Isco and Silva can resuscitate their early form it might even be a blowout.
I’ll tip the draw for now as Hierro struggles to make midfield adjustments that
won’t offend his players.
Tight rope for the new coach. Costa’s also been unbecomingly
well-behaved thus far. Time for an outburst. 3 to 1 Odds he runs over to the
VAR Hood and performs a self-pitying soliloquy.
THE
LINE: Pick em’
Initial
Group Projection (5/27/2018)
1)
Portugal 2)
Spain 3)
Morocco 4)
Iran
Final
Group Projection (6/24/2018)
(2
to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1)
Portugal 2)
Spain 3) Iran 4) Morocco
Tuesday, June 26th
Group
C Final Kickoff @ 17:00 (UTC +3)
Plenty left for Deschamps and the underwhelming Froggies to
play for. They haven’t supplied us with a convincing performance yet. Les
Bleaus desperately need to get their game established. This has zilch to do
with silencing armchair critics such as myself. Nothing to prove to us. History
shows that teams devoid of confident and fluid play don’t last long in the
Knockouts. They also run the risk of running into the red-hot Blazers of
Croatia if first place isn’t secured.
Group D’s runner up will likely emerge bruised and battered.
Hence, the Danes and French will scrap heavy for the privilege of as smoother
road to the Quarterfinals. The Aussies will try to run up the score against a
Peruvian side that will feature many second stringers, so Denmark isn’t
assuredly safe.
Tentative coaches Deschamps and Hareide should find
themselves making more assertive moves here….or risk another disparaging
diatribe in the Dailies.
Denmark vs. France
vs.
Hareide’s first priority will be containing Pogba. The
difficulties associated therewith are compounded by the uncertainties he faces
in building a midfield. He still hasn’t found a comfortable niche for Eriksen
or Delaney. Poulsen’s suspension leaves him down a striker at the worst
possible time. Those of you following the Dailies know that your bookie has
been screaming for Dolberg to no avail.
Hareide’s just not that kind of manager. He’ll likely just
stick Braithwaite or Cornelius up there with Sisto and Jorgensen or pair
Krohn-Dehli with Schöne in a dull 4-4-2. The bet is on the French continuing
their uneven run of form; a remote possibility given that they’ve already
secured advancement and are showing signs of more elegant play.
Deschamps now finds himself stuck with a rather unconvincing
French side slow to awaken. He waited too long to make major alterations. The
fullbacks are here to stay and he has few better options than to keep Giroud.
In the end it all comes back to Pogba, who cannot and will
not be contained. He’ll find a way. Not seeing a French implosion just yet. In
point of fact, they may actually start to sparkle here.
THE
LINE: France +1 Goal
Australia vs. Peru
vs.
Los Incas have supplied us with some very entertaining
football, but I don’t see them going with their best elven here. Gareca may
give Farfan and Guerrero a curtain call later on the match. That’s about it.
They’ve been flailing since the later stages of qualifying. Time to rest the
weary and give the backups a chance.
Playing for pride, even the backups might get it done
against a Socceroo side that I still believe
just isn’t any good. Van Marwijk owes it to all the fans to play Cahill.
We all say goodbye to him…again.
Blah. Blah. Blah. Might be some fun goals in this one, but
I’m not seeing a winner.
THE
LINE: Pick em’
Initial
Group Projection (5/30/2018)
1)
France 2)
Denmark 3)
Peru 4)
Australia
Final
Group Projection (6/24/2018)
(2
to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1)
France 2)
Denmark 3)
Australia 4)
Peru
Group
D Final Kickoff @ 21:00 (UTC +3)
Everyone’s still alive…sort of. The Argentines cling to
life. It’s tenious. Messi & Co need not only to defeat Nigeria, but also
hope that Iceland can play for the draw against Croatia. Not likely. Both the
Icessons and the Blazers shall seek a decisive victory. The former country
needs one to get out of the group whilst the latter aspires to avoid Brazil.
This bookie doesn’t prognosticate an Argentine miracle….yet wouldn’t complain
if it happened. What a great story that would be.
You won’t want to miss out on the live ticker. The joy of
group so structured is that the outcomes will oscillate from minute to minute.
Barring an early meltdown, La Albicleste will remain alive for some time, then
die, then rise, then die again.
One thing this bookie confidently projects is some late
drama, followed by some famously monumental tears. Watch history unfold.
Nigeria vs. Argentina
vs.
News out of the Argentine Camp grows more discouraging by
the hour. Apparently there’s been a mini-revolt, deservedly so, against Sampaoli.
The players wish to construct their own lineup. At this point it honestly
couldn’t hurt. The former Chilean manager has done about as good a job with his
selection as he’s done with his arm tattoos. His already blown it.
A player mutiny always leads to collapse. Shades of Raymond
Domench and the 2010 French Squad. This one has all the signs of being far
worse. At least the Domenech insurrection ended with fed up players leaving the
team and hoping a jet home. These guys are all still in the mix. It’s going to
be a disaster.
Don’t let all the hype fool you. This team is in crisis. Our
Super Eagles, by contrast, are soaring high after the Musa brace, very much a
team effort from players all over the pitch. Messi will play better, but Rohr’s
boy will complete the demolition.
THE
LINE: Nigeria +1 Goal
Iceland vs. Croatia
vs.
Those still clinging to irrational Argentine Dreams expect
Messi to turn brackish water into passable low-grade zinfandel. They’ll also
need a tired collection of filmmakers, hair stylists, bloggers, podcasters,
marketing executives and telephone sanitizers to work magical gnome magical on
the blazing blazers.
A draw will from a team built to draw isn’t implausible, but
Dalic and the Vatrenti won’t relent in their first breakthrough to the World
Cup knockouts for twenty years. This constitutes the last hurrah for many of
this team’s aging stars. Every “itch” will take his chance.
Back to the isle.
THE
LINE: Croatia +1 Goal
Initial
Group Projection (6/1/2018)
1)
Argentina 2)
Croatia 3)
Nigeria 4)
Iceland
Final
Group Projection (6/24/2018)
(2
to 1 Odds for Bookie)
1)
Croatia 2)
Nigeria 3)
Iceland 4)
Argentina
GENTLEMEN, ENTER YOUR WAGERS
