Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[AV82EC]

Going into the last round of matches, it looks alright for Scotland at the moment, doesn't it?

You'd expect neither the Czechs or South Africa to finish on more than two points. Same with Ecuador / Curacao. Probably the same with Iran / New Zealand. Probably two of Uruguay / Cape Verde / Saudi Arabia finish on fewer than three points.

That's all enough to put Scotland through whatever happens tonight. And there's Croatia / Senegal / Bosnia who could still end up worse than Scotland even if the above doesn't happen.

I’ve no doubt that some bizarre concoction of results will mean Scotland will miss out by some Byzantine FIFA rule about yellow cards given in second halves to keep up their proud tradition of never getting out of the group. Just like England Qtr final defeats it’s the law as the Gods have decided.

[dorsetvillian]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

[Meanwood Villa]

Going into the last round of matches, it looks alright for Scotland at the moment, doesn't it?

You'd expect neither the Czechs or South Africa to finish on more than two points. Same with Ecuador / Curacao. Probably the same with Iran / New Zealand. Probably two of Uruguay / Cape Verde / Saudi Arabia finish on fewer than three points.

That's all enough to put Scotland through whatever happens tonight. And there's Croatia / Senegal / Bosnia who could still end up worse than Scotland even if the above doesn't happen.

I’ve no doubt that some bizarre concoction of results will mean Scotland will miss out by some Byzantine FIFA rule about yellow cards given in second halves to keep up their proud tradition of never getting out of the group. Just like England Qtr final defeats it’s the law as the Gods have decided.

Yeah I reckon there'll be some unexpected result that does them over. They could eliminate all this concern by winning tonight of course. No laughing at the back.

[Meanwood Villa]

For the first time tonight we have to choose which match we will be feasting our eyes on.

I think it has to be Switzerland v Canada for me.

I'd watch Scotland, but that would be beyond my bedtime and I'd get in trouble.

I think Bosnia v Qatar is more interesting. Both teams will likely see it as winnable and almost certainly through if they do win.

[PeterWithesShin]

Bosnia and Qatar should in theory be a lot more interesting as winner goes through. In the other group will Scotland set up for the point that will see them through.

[LeeB]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

He's massively overrated.

[ChicagoLion]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

Exactly the situation where Palmer would have been the best option.

[Dave]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

Exactly the situation where Palmer would have been the best option.

I thought we've spent the last x years saying how important it was to not pick the England squad based on their reputation?

[Somniloquism]

So as it stands at the moment, (correct my mistakes but I'm suposing large GD swings won't be happening in some games).

Through as group winners are:
Mexico, (A)
US, (D)
Germany, (E)
Argentina. (J)

Definitely through in top 2 but top spot to be decided.
Canada / Switzerland (B)
France/Norway (I)
Colombia / Portugal (K)

Definitely through even if finishing 3rd.
Brazil, Morocco (C)
Netherlands/Japan (F)
Egypt (G)
Spain (H)
England, Ghana (L).

[ChicagoLion]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

Exactly the situation where Palmer would have been the best option.

I thought we've spent the last x years saying how important it was to not pick the England squad based on their reputation?

I don’t see how that applies to Palmer, he has not hit the highs of last season but still the best in my opinion of receiving and moving the ball quickly.

I thought the subs were odd and no idea why Madueke played 82 minutes.

[Stu]

Madueke was so shit.

[Dogtanian]

For the first time tonight we have to choose which match we will be feasting our eyes on.

I think it has to be Switzerland v Canada for me.

I'd watch Scotland, but that would be beyond my bedtime and I'd get in trouble.

I think Bosnia v Qatar is more interesting. Both teams will likely see it as winnable and almost certainly through if they do win.

Perhaps it may make for a more open match.

[Dave]

England have a crop of excellent creative no 10's yet Bellingham is seen as the answer. He is simply not the type of creative player needed to unlock a team that park the bus. With two wingers that come inside all the time we just have no creativity. I'm amazed more questions haven't been asked about the make up of the squad. Both Rogers and Eze would have been better options.

Exactly the situation where Palmer would have been the best option.

I thought we've spent the last x years saying how important it was to not pick the England squad based on their reputation?

I don’t see how that applies to Palmer, he has not hit the highs of last season but still the best in my opinion of receiving and moving the ball quickly

Because he's in much, much worse form than anyone else who plays in his position in the squad. And probably about three players who also aren't in the squad.

[Nev]

It was said elsewhere but the subs did remind me of Lambert's chuck them all on and hope for the best. Eze and Rogers seemed to get in each other's way, in a game where space was compressed it served to make it even tighter. One or the other may have been more productive.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Bosnia and Qatar should in theory be a lot more interesting as winner goes through. In the other group will Scotland set up for the point that will see them through.

I think we'll try to keep it tight, even if we go behind.

Goal difference could be crucial.

Shame we didn't beat Haiti by more, although I truth they should have equalised, with 5 minutes to go.