Football is one of the few sports in which chance can be a big factor when it comes time for a team to become champion. And, as much as the biggest tournament on the planet brings together the best teams, while some are just for the participation, others soaring up as possible zebras, and, of course, there are favorites for the 2018 World Cup.
The latter are countries that have already given their business card. Through tradition in previous Cups, by always regular field performance or by having a cast full of great players. Making this selection is not easy. To help at this time, we have decided here to cross the analysis of the great specialists of the area along with a calculation made by the renowned website Opta, known for its sports statistics. And I say that the lists crossed almost completely.
For the latter, his research is based on each country's offensive and defensive data, taking into account the performances of the national teams in all official results in the four years prior to the World Cup, including qualifying, confederation championships, friendly matches and performance in the two Previous Cups (2010 and 2014). In addition, the clashes in the 2018 World Cup are also taken into account.
- BRAZIL
Chances statistics: 14.2%
Group E Key Head, according to the statistics site, is the big favorite on the list. And it's no wonder, at the command of coach Tite, the team made a perfect recovery in the qualifiers of the World Cup, with ten wins and two draws in charge of the coach, winning 32 points. A consistent team, which has its own way of playing, Tite gave a face to the selection, which was once a simple meeting of good players.
The team unites quality with defensive safety, highlighting the good performance of goalkeeper Alisson, one of the best in the world. Neymar is the star of the team that, despite his recent injury, will be able to recover in time to play in the tournament. Another positive point of the cast is that, for now, did not appear the 'Neymardependencia', with the team maintaining its quality even without the star.
Casemiro, Marcelo, Gabriel Jesus and Philippe Coutinho are other great stars who will be responsible for bringing Brazil to its fifth world title.
- GERMANY
Chances statistics: 11.4%
Tetracampean and the last winner of the tournament, the current world champions finished the qualifying rounds in Group C with a 100% win (10 wins in 10 games) with 30 points earned. Key to Group F, Germany are favorites for the first berth in this group considered one of the toughest in the World Cup, with Mexico and Sweden rushing out.
The Germans continue with a strong cast. Coached by coach Joachim Low, the team has Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, who organizes the plays and still attacks.
Germany still have left-wing Müller and a young speeding forward, Timo Werner. Khedira, Kroos, Ozil are other stars who complete the cast well.
- Argentina
Chances statistics: 10.9%
Despite almost being out of the 2018 World Cup, the ace Lionel Messi was in the bowl of souls save Argentina from shame and secured his place in the final match against Ecuador.
With the conquest of the vacancy, the team from Buenos Aires gained strength and leaves at the feet of Messi the chances to try to take this tournament. The positive side is that the vice champion of 2014 has no weight for this tournament, being considered by some experts even as out favorites.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli is responsible for setting up the team going to Russia with names such as the socks Mascherano and Di María, as well as strikers Sergio Agüero and Gonzalo Higuain.
- FRANCE
Chances statistics: 10.5%
World champion in 1998 and vice-president of the Eurocopa in 2016, France is the key head of group C and must pass easy as leader of the group.
Commanded by Didier Deschamps, and owner of a Eliminatory campaign with no risk, guaranteeing the leadership with seven victories, two draws and a defeat. It's a team that has a good physical strength and a very strong offensive power.
With players like Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud on the attack and Paul Pogba commanding the midfield, the Bleus are well-placed to go far in the tournament.
- SPAIN
Chances statistics: 9.3%
World champion in 2010, Spain try to erase the image of the last Cup, when it was shamelessly eliminated in the group stage.
To reach the tournament, it was nine victories and only one defeat in the continental qualifiers and the leadership in Group G. In the 2018 Russian Cup, the team entered the group B and will play in the first place with his great opponent Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo .
With great defensive consistency, it is a team that articulates well the plays, likes to work the ball and counts on a high level of intelligence. One of the stars of the team, Iniesta is not the same in physical terms, but talent and experience are good points. Players like Carvajal, Sergio Ramos, Busquets and David Silva are a differential.
- BELGIUM
Chances statistics: 3.8%
The fifth best team in the world (second FIFA ranking), Belgium maintains the strong national team title and promises to give work to their opponents. In the qualifiers of this Russian Cup, the team of coach Roberto Martinez came out unbeaten, with nine wins and a draw.
As positive points, it has been pointed out since the last World Cup as a promising selection and with good talents. The Belgians come to Russia with the same base of players of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. In addition, most of the players of your selection are holders in their clubs and they are appointed as stars by where they act. This is the case of Kevin de Bruyne, Manchester City player and key player of the team of coach Guardiola, as well as Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United player.
The great star of the team is midfielder Eden Hazard, who plays for Chelsea and led the club in the achievements of the last Premier League titles.
- PORTUGAL
Chances statistics: 3.3%
Third in the FIFA World Cup qualifier, with a commendable 90% win in the qualifiers (nine wins and one defeat), Portugal arrives in this world cup with a status never reached for a world cup.
As head of group B, is a favorite and will play the first place in the group with his rival Spain. The team led by Fernando Santos has a good mix of experienced players with new quality values.
But without a shadow of doubt, the focus of attention falls to Cristiano Ronaldo. With five balls of diamonds conquered, the player is undoubtedly the main name of Portugal in the World Cup. He has already proven that for him there are no limits. He is a very ambitious player, both collectively and individually and his spirit spreads. Portugal open the World Cup with the Spanish on June 15 in Sochi and the match will mark not only Cristiano Ronaldo's encounter with Spain but also a large part of his Real Madrid team-mates.
- URUGUAY
Chances statistics: 3%
Second place in the South American Qualifiers, Uruguay finished the qualifying tournament with 31 points, behind only Brazil, who made 41, and reaching a direct place in the World Cup.
The Celeste team are favorites to lead Group A, much of their advantage coming from one of the planet's biggest doubles: Luis Suárez (Barcelona) and Edinson Cavani (PSG), who are responsible for swinging their opponents' . In addition, defensive safety with defender Diego Godín (Atletico de Madrid) is also a strong point.
Another curious point is its commander, the technician Oscar Tabarez, for 11 years in the position. He is the longest coach in command among the 32 teams qualified for the 2018 World Cup.
With a strong and stuffed selection of experienced players and baggage in European football, Uruguay tries to retake the glories of the past.
Although he does not enter the 2018 World Cup as one of the top favorites, he has the potential and tradition to surprise and want to use this to perhaps reach the most acute stages of the competition.