Content Editor at Free Super Tips, Alex was born in the shadow of Old Trafford and is an avid Man Utd fan. After graduating from university he combined his love of football, writing and betting to join FST and now closely follows goings-on in all of the top European leagues.
In The Mixer is FST’s weekly column where we catch up with eight experts in football betting and get their opinion on the hot topic of the week.
Last week’s international break was followed by the draw for the World Cup group stages and that did more than enough to whet our appetites ahead of Qatar 2022 this winter.
So, this week’s question for our experts is simple: Who will win the World Cup?
Experts back La Roja youngsters to build on Euro 2020 campaign
Chris Rivers
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Spain’s next generation have shown signs they are ready to break out, reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship and final of the Nations League in the last 12 months. They were unfortunate in both the last four loss to Italy and final defeat to France, and Luis Enrique’s young charges should be better for those big-game experiences.
They had the fifth youngest squad at the Euros, led by the outstanding Pedri, but have also retained a handful of players who have experience of winning a major tournament in Sergi Busquets and Jordi Alba. Germany and Japan represent serious tests in the group stages but should mean they go into the knockouts firing on all cylinders and can kick on from there.
Liam Flin
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Although the current La Roja crop are some way off the Spain side that won successive European Championships and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012, they have shown signs of significant improvement in the last couple of years and could go far in Qatar.
Spain took champions Italy to extra-time in the semi-finals at Euro 2020 and were pretty comfortable in qualifying with six wins from eight matches. A group draw with Germany has seen their price inflate but that only enhances appeal about backing Luis Enrique’s men.
Pedri is a star and talents like Mikel Oyarzabal, Marcos Llorente and Pau Torres have come a long way recently – if they can find someone to consistently polish off their free-flowing moves, they could have a great chance.
Aaron Ashley
Sports journalist at Racing Post
Spain shaped like the best team at Euro 2020 and with that experience under their belt could be a force to be reckoned with in Qatar.
La Roja were beaten on penalties by eventual champions Italy in the semi-finals of last summer’s showpiece event but had dominated that game for large periods and were made to rue their missed chances.
They have so much young talent in their squad with Barcelona’s pass-master Pedri, who is only 19 years of age, and teammates Gavi (17), Ansu Fati (19) Eric Garcia (21) and Ferran Torres (22) all stars of the future, while it is well complemented by the midfield experience of Sergio Busquets and Rodri.
The draw could have been kinder to La Roja and the missing piece of the jigsaw may be a clinical striker, but they have the structure, star quality and midfield depth to make up for it and are going to be a difficult side to contain.
Germany, France and Brazil among the favourites
Aaron Rogan
Sports journalist at Free Super Tips
It’s been 20 years since a non-European team won the World Cup and it’s hard to see that changing this winter. With European champions Italy failing to make it there look to be four standout European sides heading to Qatar, with two of them ending up in the same group.
Spain and Germany being paired together has seen their odds drift, while England and France have been cut. However, of the four my pick would be Germany.
Not only do they have a manager who won the Champions League just two years ago, he has plenty of those Bayern players to call upon.
Kai Havertz and Antonio Rudiger were key to Chelsea winning last season’s Champions League, while Jamal Musiala is a potential breakout star. With a great blend of youth and experience, Germany look good for glory in Qatar.
Tom McGarry
Sports journalist at ICS
It has been 20 years since Brazil last won the World Cup, but the most successful team in the competition’s history could now be ready to lift the trophy for a sixth time.
Head coach Tite guided them through qualifying unbeaten and they have only tasted defeat once since November 2019, a run of 25 matches.
In a group that also contains Switzerland, Serbia and Cameroon, Brazil will expect to come through in first place.
A potential round of 16 tie with Portugal or Uruguay could then await, but on current form, the world’s top -ranked side will fancy their chances of beating anyone on their day.
Jack Ogalbe
Sports journalist at ICS
There are many fine sides heading to Qatar but when it comes to squad depth, France’s talent pool is unmatched.
Didier Deschamps’ men were eliminated at the last-16 stage of Euro 2020 but were beset by some very specific injury issues and have developed a multitude of styles to counter similar difficulties.
Although the reigning champions have crashed out in the group stages at the last three World Cups, and while their knockout draw looks tough, Les Bleus remain the boys to beat.
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