Knockout stage – round of 16
This is the first obstacle that separates the weed from the chaff. While that would typically be the reason that the group stage exists, we have seen a lot of surprises in the past with teams that managed to qualify by performing better than expected (or by taking advantage of the draw that placed them in a group with lesser opponents), or because other sides did not perform as well as they should.
After all, this is the whole purpose of the online betting industry and the existence of odds that bring profit to punters through the services of agents for Asian and European bookmakers.
The usual suspects
As per the published schedule of the World Cup the matches will be played between December 03 and 06 2022 in eight different stadiums.
While there can be no guarantee on the names that will make it, teams like Germany, Brazil, France, Argentina, Portugal, Belgium, and England should be there one way or the other. The form they have been in indicates that they should face no serious opposition.
The second group of national teams that are expected to qualify is formed by Spain, the Netherlands, Croatia, Uruguay, and Denmark. That being said, it does not mean that Poland, Mexico, or even the USA do not have at least an equal chance of making it through. It would be nice to have representatives from every continent during this period.
In any case, it is usually the matches of Round 2 the ones that determine the standings. Teams that have made it to 6 points at the end of it are sure to qualify.
Speaking about the point accumulation, the statistics of the previous World Cups under this format, say that the minimum target should be the number 4. In most cases, teams who managed to win a match and tie a second have qualified as long as they have paid attention to goal differentials and the conduct of their players on the pitch.
Mistakes are costly
Many seasoned professional footballers and managers say that the Round of 16 is where things get serious. During the first half the fans may see a good match with pace and fantasy. However, in the second half most teams (except the naïve English) tend to become cautious, play it safe and take no risks.
In fact, the statistics say that it is more than likely that about half of the eight confrontations will go to overtime or even penalty shoot-outs. Care to play the statistics? Then you need to open a betting account via agent.