Euan backs 20/1 shot for World Cup glory

THE start of the FIFA World Cup is finally upon us and DNG Media chief reporter Euan Maxwell has penned down some of his predictions for the next few weeks.

I’ve predicted for the last two major tournaments that the NETHERLANDS would be the dark horses and I think third time is the charm!

Ronald Koeman’s men reached the quarter finals in the last World Cup but lost on penalties to champs Argentina.

They then had England all over the shop in the Euro semis two years before losing a last minute goal.

I’ve backed the Oranje at 20/1. They are the value each-way bet with a squad packed with top players. They might not have elite talent for every position but not many nations do.

But to reach the final they will probably have to do some heavy lifting on the way to get rid of FRANCE and/or Spain. France would be my second pick to win the whole thing; they do have the best squad. However, I can’t back them at 5/1, there’s not too much value in that. Other nations I predict to do well are Japan, Portugal, Colombia, Norway and Ecuador.

Now onto Steve Clarke and Scotland. Will they create history by getting out of the group stages? Well, they have been winning games and scoring plenty of goals. We were without a number of key players two years ago in Germany but I feel we are better equipped this time round (barring the devastating Billy Gilmour injury).

Yes, the first game is a non-negotiable, we must beat Haiti. They have impressed going forward but after watching their recent friendly against Peru, they do look a tad vulnerable in defence, especially at full back, which should whet Ben Gannon-Doak’s appetite.

Four points surely is the target but it’s going to be a difficult task against two top-quality teams in Morocco and Brazil. I have us just about qualifying to the last 32.

Onto our friends down south and I can see England navigating their way quite comfortably to the knockouts. They take on an ageing Croatia side – who I think will sadly flop this tournament. Ghana have some great individual talent but the Three Lions should have too much for them.

But here’s my hot take. If results go the way they are predicted to, England could face Mexico in their own back garden in the last 16. This is where I think they might falter (if they do win then it’s most likely they will fall in the quarters/semis).

It’ll be a daunting task for a squad where a few eyebrows were already raised at who is actually in it.

This is Thomas Tuchel’s first international gig and I think you can tell that by his selections. This is not like club football where you can drop some big names to prove a point, get a reaction from them and bring them back into the fold a few weeks later. That’s the reason why I think England won’t be bringing the World Cup ‘home’.

Euan’s predictions: Winners: Netherlands or France; Dark horses: Japan; Surprise package: Mexico; Player of the World Cup and top goalscorer; Kylian Mbappe: Breakout star: Antonio Nusa, Norway.