2018 World Cup: Group B preview

Portugal overview

Having just come off winning yet another Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo will surely know it’s now or never at the World Cup. The 2016 European Championship winners will come into Russia with a quiet confidence that they could sneak another major trophy win. He couldn’t do it again, could he?

Strengths

The utter belief and conviction that comes with winning. Being built around the one of the best players on the planet also helps. Portugal serve Ronaldo well and in turn he serves them well. They play to him and allow the squad to make sure they can service his needs to ensure victory.

That might sound dull, and they are not a great side to watch by any means, but they are effective.

Weaknesses

As mentioned above, they are a team loaded with familiarity, experience and the constant threat of goals up the other end of the pitch.

Portugal are easily one of the most well-rounded teams in terms of talent depth too, with only the forward area (as ever) leaving questions. We’re sure that Ronaldo could fill in for nearly any forward, however.

Star Man/Player to Watch

Outside of the obvious, we suggest keeping an eye on Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes. Both are electric players, and provide craft from the wing and an eye for the barely believable. If you want to keep an eye out for two Portuguese players about to detonate, it’s definitely these two.

 

Spain overview

The 2010 World Cup winners stroll into their second tournament since with a squad that beggars belief. They already look like one of the pre-tournament favourites, and are as good as Europe has to offer for a win. Easily one of the top sides in the world, they arrive here with a plethora of talent in every direction.

Strengths

Everything: strong at the back, mesmeric in midfield and with the kind of talent up front that can decide a game not going their way. It would be hard to look at anything in the Spanish side and decide that it would be seen as a primary strength, either. Unlike most other countries, they have just about no weaknesses and so many strengths that you could not say that one stands out over the other.

Weaknesses

Weaknesses, as mentioned above, are minimal. Their defence looks refreshed, while the fact they have a David de Gea-Sergio Ramos-Gerard Pique trident in defence means they’ll be hard to score against regardless.

Star Man/Player to Watch

Of all the amazing players that Spain have, you’ll have likely seen them all already. For us, the main person to watch will be Alvaro Odriozola; the Real Sociedad full-back is set to become a star, perhaps starting this summer.

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Morocco overview

Morocco were drawn in a group with Spain and Portugal, which makes getting beyond the first round a slim possibility. They should, though, prove a fine example of why football is such a major part of the nation’s sporting make-up – and why they are one of the most underrated nations in football.

Strengths

They are a good, strong and sensible side. They play with a decent technical quality and in Mehdi Benatia they have a leader at the back to keep the team solid. They have a very good quality to the side in general, with very few players in the team often looking flustered on the ball.

Weaknesses

Morocco might struggle in such a tight group. We’d fancy them to put Iran to the sword, but they aren’t likely to have enough creativity to beat Spain or Portugal.

Star Man/Player to Watch

One of the most interesting players outside of the obvious names is Ayoub El Kaabi. The 24-year-old is playing for RS Berkane back home in Morocco, and has scored 21 goals in 38 games. Definitely one to look out for, having exploded onto the scene when Morocco hosted – and won – the domestic-based Africa Nations Championship. 

 

Iran overview

Regular qualifiers from the Asia side of the World Cup circuit, Iran are back. Last time, they played out a series of rather toothless matches, with their main highlight being a late loss to Argentina courtesy of a Lionel Messi classic. This time, though, they could have a trick up their sleeves.

Strengths

They come into the tournament knowing they are likely out before it starts, but have a solid defensive structure that should help them keep the opposition out for long periods. Alireza Beiranvand is a good goalkeeper who should be able to prove decisive in the key moments.

In Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Kahanbakhsh, they have far more firepower than they have had in previous tournaments. Backed up by the old guard like Reza Ghoochannejhad, they have a decent enough attack.

Weaknesses

Despite having two excellent forwards, they lack control in the middle of the park. This will make it hard to really get attacks going, which will prove crucial in a very tough group.

Star Man/Player to Watch

We expect them to struggle. Iran have goals in them but will probably lack the structure to see enough of the ball to get out of the group.