The 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup gets underway on Saturday when Russia stages a mini dress rehearsal for the World Cup which is being held their next summer. As ever the six continental champions join the World Cup hosts and defending champions for a summer jamboree.
You always wonder how much any side will be bothered about this tournament but I think this year it will be quite competitive. All eight sides will believe they will be back in Russia next year so here is a chance to get to grips with the conditions and put a marker down. The winning nation are on for $5m too so I’m sure senior officials have been pointing out this is worth winning!
Recent Winners
2013 – Brazil
2009 – Brazil
2005 – Brazil
2003 – France
2001 – France
1999 – Mexico
1997 – Brazil
1995 – Denmark
1992 – Argentina
The Format
The eight sides have been split into two groups of four where each play the other three teams in their section once. At the end of that phase the top two from each group move through to the semi-final where the tournament becomes a knockout stage. Extra time and penalties will be used in the knockout stages. The video referee will also be used throughout the tournament.
The Teams
Group A
Russia are in the tournament as the host team. Hosts don’t have a bad record in this event with three of the previous nine renewals having been won by the home side but I always think the home team are at a disadvantage as they haven’t had much competitive football recently. Indeed Russia last played a competitive match 2 years ago. At least we know they will be serious about winning.
European champions Portugal are alongside Russia in Group A and they have named a near full-strength squad so they clearly want to continue the momentum they have having landed a major title in France last year. In Cristiano Ronaldo they are likely to have the star of the tournament so are huge dangers.
Mexico won the North American Championship to book their spot in this tournament and while the Gold Cup begins shortly after this competition El Tri have named a strong squad and look to be taking this very seriously. Mexico haven’t delivered the results they would have liked to have done on the big stage recently but here is a chance to put that right.
New Zealand complete the line up in Group A and they are widely expected to be the whipping boys of the tournament but if they can be competitive a couple of times it might give them the platform to qualify from Oceania and make it back here for the big event in 12 months time.
Group B
World champions Germany head the way in this group but Joachim Low has named a fringe squad for this tournament. The likes of Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels and Manuel Neuer have all been left at home which I guess highlights a lack of intent but you write any German side off in tournament play at your peril.
Chile look the main dangers to Germany in Group B. The Copa America champions won on away turf having landed the title in America last year and while they are not the open, expansive, entertaining side that was around in 2014 in Brazil they are still mighty effective. Alexis Sanchez is in their squad and he could light this tournament up.
The African Nations champions Cameroon are also in this group and in many ways they are the team we don’t know what to expect from. That is because most of the time they probably don’t know what to expect themselves. They can be brilliant or awful and you rarely know until the day which one they are. If they’re on though they can test these.
Australia are the perceived weakest side in this group but they have been regulars at these sorts of tournaments for a while. The Asian Cup champions won their own tournament having hosted the competition and after a high profile friendly with Brazil they will be out to lay a marker down on a global stage.
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Betting
This tournament looks like a two horse race to me with Portugal and Chile the strong favourites although I wouldn’t automatically completely ruled out Mexico who can damage any side on their day. Germany are a big name but with the stars they’ve left at home I can’t be having them.
Just by virtue of the fact that Chile could run into someone half-decent in the semi-final if they win their group I’m going to side with Portugal in this tournament. They have been in good nick for a while now and as European champions they have a status to protect. They should be major players in Russia next year and can confirm that by winning the warm up event.
Tips
Back Portugal to win Confederations Cup for a 3/10 stake at 3.50 with NetBet
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