FIFA World Cup 2018: 9 World Cup predictions that should be on your radar

The last time Peru qualified for a World Cup not one of their current squad was even alive and their coach, Ricardo Gareca, was still plying his trade as a forward with Boca Juniors.

Add in the return of striker Paolo Guerrero to the squad after an arduous legal process involving a teapot and, we’ve found our heroes. Guerrero will line up alongside childhood friend Jefferson Farfan in attack, while Cristian Cueva is another one of Peru’s attackers to watch out for.

Best of all, Nolberto Solano, formerly of Newcastle United, among others, is on the coaching staff, so don’t be surprised to see him bust out the trumpet (that’s not a euphemism) if they go far.

Team to get the most bookings

Panama

The inclusion of Panama at this tournament is a beautiful thing. Their captain Roman Torres has already committed to a giant tattoo on his calf to commemorate proceedings, but I sense the build up may be the highlight for him and his teammates.

Panama are not Costa Rica from four years ago. They’re quite an old bunch and I expect them to pick up defeats and bookings in the group stages much like Honduras did four years ago.

The outsiders that’ll survive the group stage

Morocco

When the draw for Group B was made it seemed fairly certain that Spain and Portugal would qualify.

Then trouble struck. First, Spain fired their head coach the day before the tournament and now the Portuguese players attached to Sporting are trying to work out their club future. All that could allow Morocco to steal in with their band of young, exciting attackers such as Hakim Ziyech and Amine Hart.

Also, look at their coach, Herve Renard. He’s way too handsome to drop out at the group stages.

Tournament winner

Brazil

Like many football fans I had Spain as my World Cup winners up until recently…

Now, I’m indulging my emotions and going for a redemption story with Brazil. They were humiliated four years ago on home soil, but manager Tite has done a solid job of rehabilitating them.

In a bid to reduce pressure on Neymar, the captaincy has been swapped before each game, and while they have some defensive frailties I think their stellar attack and strong goalkeeping options will see them through.

Shock group exit

Argentina

La Albiceleste are blessed to have Lionel Messi in their ranks but I fear his teammates will rely on his talent rather than elevate it.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli is very stuck in his ways and leans heavily on counter-attacking as a means to success. I question if their opposition will allow them those opportunities in a group where they are favourites, and for that alone I could see a nasty exit in Argentina’s future.

Golden Boot

Neymar

It usually takes about six goals to secure this prize. A cursory glance of Brazil’s group opponents and their potential route to the final makes one of their attackers a good bet. I could pick Gabriel Jesus here, but I struggle to look past Neymar.

Golden Ball

Antoine Griezmann

You’d think the Golden Ball would go to a player attached to the tournament winners, but the last five have all gone to teams that didn’t lift the trophy, and that’s why I think it goes to France and Mr Griezmann.

Dark Horse

Croatia

Croatia may not be at the heights of 2007 when they stopped England going to the European Championships, but this team still has talent.

Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic are a world class pair in the middle of the park, and while a knockout round meeting with France seems likely, I would not be shocked to see them overcome a Les Bleus side that have been unimpressive of late.

Breakout young player

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Milinkovic-Savic is already being talked about as a £100 million player and he’s just played one World Cup game so far. He’s big, he’s physical, but he’s also technically brilliant, as he showed with Lazio this season.

He does need to gain a degree of consistency, but with Nemanja Matic serving as the team’s leader and defensive shield I could see Milinkovic-Savic thriving in Russia.