I wasn’t going to do predictions for the WCQ because I wanted to stick to club soccer and the big five leagues, but I went 9-0 on the Weekend #3 predictions, so we’re going to keep it going while I’ve got the hot hand.
UEFA
Netherlands @ Norway (Over 2.5)
First game of the World Cup Qualifiers, so taking the over can be dangerous, but these two teams are stacked with offensive weapons. For the Oranje, Memphis, Berghuis, and Luuk de Jong have all scored multiple goals up top during the WCQ so far. Additionally, the Dutch midfield, particularly Wjnaldum and Frenkie de Jong, are built to win midfield battles and make key passes to the front 3. The Norwegian national team is just as dangerous, if not more so, in the attacking third. Erling Haaland and Alexander Sorloth, two top young attacking talents, are expected to start up top, with attacking-minded midfielders Martin Odegaard and Fredrik Midtsjo expected to support Norway’s front formation. While both of these teams do have some defensive talent (particularly the Dutch), this game has the potential for offensive chances and goals.
Croatia @ Russia (Pick, -115; +160)
Despite Ivan Rakitic’s unexpected retirement from international play in 2019, Croatia’s national team is still full of talent. They possess an experienced backline, with Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, and the youngster Caleta-Car all expected to play significant minutes at the back. The midfield of this team remains their strength, with Modric (team captain), Kovacic, Perisic, Brozovic, and Vlasic all available to be deployed, depending on what sort of formation Zlatko Dalic plans to use. Up top, the plethora of options continues, with Brekalo, Orsic, Kramaric, Petkovic, and Rebic providing a great mixture of size or pace that may be used. Russia undoubtedly has some talent of its own, particularly Golovin, Miranhuck, and Dzyuba, but Croatia’s talent looks to be overwhelming in this match-up. Beware: this game is played in Moscow, so who knows what tricks the Russia national team (or government) may play.
Serbia vs. Luxembourg (-2, -115; -600)
IT is obvious to even the most casual viewer that Serbia’s strength is their offensive capability. Sure, they have certain players in the back (Milenkovic, Mitrovic, Spajic) who play an incredibly important role on this team, but the offensive side of the ball is where this team truly shines. In the midfield, Serbia has Sergej Milinkovic-Savic playing the role of conductor and distributor. Assisting the midfield maestro, both in the midfield and on the wings, are Kostic, Lukic, Djuricic, and Grujic, all of whom can be used in a number of formations, yet who are attacking-minded. Up top, Serbia has an embarrassment of riches. They can opt for the creativity of Tadic, Radonjic, and Zinkovic, choose to play a more stereotypical number 9, such as Mitrovic, Jovic, and Vlahovic, or use any combination of these attackers. With this talent going up against a usually outmatched Luxembourg team, I expect Serbia to make a statement.
CONCACAF
United States @ El Salvador (-1, Even; -180)
None of the players on the El Salvador side were alive the last time El Salvador qualified for a World Cup. That being said, the U.S. is looking to make up for the 2018 World Cup Qualifier debacle, and looks to have a squad at full strength. Aside from the typical U.S. stars (McKennie, Reyna, the recently cleared Pulisic), the United States rewarded some of its Gold Cup stars with call ups for the WCQ, including Matt Turner, Miles Robinson, and James Sands. One new name to note: Ricardo Pepi. This young forward is going to be the next American exported to a European club. FC Dallas has sent a number of player to Munich…is Pepi next? Expect the U.S. to slam the gas from minute one and not let up until the final whistle. After 2018, they’re looking to make a statement throughout the qualifying rounds.
Canada vs. Honduras (-1, +105; -185)
Honduras is one of those CONCACAF teams that can be sneaky if you catch them on their good day. In particular, Rochez, Espinoza, and Alberth Elis can be dangerous. That said, Canada is a great team that possesses a lot of young and speedy talent. Alphonso Davies, Tajon Buchanan, Cyle Larin, and Jonathan David should all heavily featured in this game. Additionally, Canada has the midfield talent to help control the pace, direction, and distribution of the game, with Kaye, Osorio, Fraser, and even the experienced Hutchinson all expected to play a role. Honduras can be sneaky, but Canada is significantly more talented, plain and simple.
CONMEBOL
Due to issues regarding player releases from European clubs and red-listed countries, CONMEBOL will be difficult to predict. With squads at full strength, some of these games seem obvious, but with some players missing, these predictions become tough. As always, never bet more money than you can afford to lose and gamble at your own risk.
Colombia @ Bolivia (-0.5, +105; +105)
Betting against Bolivia at home is always dangerous because of the altitude. Altitude will be a factor, as game will be played at nearly 12,000 feet. Even the best conditioned athletes in the world will be laboring late in the game due to the thin air. With that caveat, Colombia clearly has the stronger squad in this matchup. They are anchored by an experienced goalkeeper (Ospina), have a good mix of strength and speed in the backline (Sanchez, Mina, Tesilla, Fabra), have midfielder who can control the game, make key passes, and are overall playmakers (Barrios, Cardona, Cuadrado), and have forwards with a nose for goal up front (Morelos, Zapata, Muriel). On the other hand, Bolivia…doesn’t have much going for them besides the altitude. If Colombia can handle that and can score early, they should cruise to a win.
Argentina @ Venezuela (-1, -115; -200)
A number of CONMEBOL teams are having issues with player travel due to some of the country/COVID restrictions; Argentina is not one of them. The South American champions have told their clubs that they’re playing for their country and they don’t really care whether the clubs like it or not. You have to admire their spirit. On the talent side, the Copa America winners are bringing back that squad and adding one key addition: Paulo Dybala. We’ll see if Scaloni can finally figure out how to have Messi and Dybala on the pitch at the same time, but regardless, Argentina should be favorites to qualify from South America. I could wax poetic about Tagliafico, Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo de Paul, and, of course, Messi, but everyone already knows how talented this squad is. Venezuela is not without talent, with Wuilker Farinez in goal, Josef Martinez up top, and Otero in the midfield, but one notable name is absent from the squad: midfielder and team captain Tomas Rincon. Even if Rincon were named in the squad, Argentina has too much talent and should overwhelm this Venezuelan side.
Brazil @ Chile (-0.5, Even; +105)
Chile is a great side. They have some really strong players, they’re great at home, and they have a lot to play for; however, the reality is that Chile’s stars and key members are aging. Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez are not as dynamic as they used to be, Aranguiz can still contribute but is clearly toward the end of his career, and Gary Medel has switched from the defensive midfield to the center-back position to extend his career. Chile has some players in or close to their prime (Pulgar, Sierralta, Mora), but the majority of key playmakers are older. Brazil, on the other hand, has a squad full of talented players in their prime. Yes, Brazil will have to use a goalkeeper other than Ederson or Alisson due to COVID restrictions, but Marquinhos, Casemiro, Gabriel, Neymar…not only are these players extraordinarily talented, but these players are also approaching or in their prime. Brazil is the more talented squad overall, have key players in their prime, and have yet to lose a game in CONMEBOL WCQ. I’m riding with Brazil.
Uruguay @ Peru (Pick, -130; +160)
Peru is dead last in the CONMEBOL WCQ table. They’re 1-1-4 with a goal difference of -8, a greater number than they’ve scored (6). Uruguay is, as usual, a very talented, offensively-oriented team. Muslera is an experienced international goalkeeper. Araujo, Godin, Coates, Gimenez, and Vina give Uruguay a backline with a great mix of young stars and experienced veterans. Betancur, Arrascaeta, Nandez, and Valverde provide a balanced midfield that can play deep to support the backline, win balls in the midfield, and support the forwards. Gomez, Cavani, and Suarez…I don’t think I need to explain how talented and lethal this group is up front. Peru has a few talented players themselves: Andre Carrillo, Renato Tapia, Yoshimar Yotun…but there’s a significant talent gap between Peru and Uruguay.
Big Five FC 