World Cup vid on BT Sport

[Judge Jules]

Their stattos make a stats-based prediction that the two teams best placed to win are Brazil and (interestingly) Uruguay, with their nomination going narrowly to the former. No surprise there, but some of what they say about other big contenders is interesting. Argentina were my idea of the next best-placed team but the BT bods rule them out for having too young a squad, while Spain and Germany get the heave-ho for being European sides in a S.American World Cup.

 

[peterhague]

Isn't this European teams can't win in South America a bit overdone?

It's not a very big sample: only 1978 in the last 50 years.

 

[cloggypop]

Spain have cunningly snuck a South American up front to try and put the odds in their favour.

 

[Judge Jules]

Isn't this European teams can't win in South America a bit overdone?

It's not a very big sample: only 1978 in the last 50 years.

Get what you're saying, but I suspect the compilers' answer would be that the fact that no other European side has reached a final there would be significant in itself.

FWIW I'm not ruling out the Spanish this time, especially if Costa's fit.

 

[peterhague]

Holland got to the final in 1978.

Apparently Costa will be fit for the finals. IMO he completes their team, and makes them the favourites. Tbh my main concern about Spain is simply that they've won the last 3 tournaments and I can't help but think that their run has to end sometime, and maybe now. Not very scientific, but there you go.

 

[StevieM]

I also think the logic that Brazil will win has one big flaw.

Their 2nd round game will be against, probably, Holland or Chile -maybe even Spain - that could go either way.