MATCH! 1 November 2022

THE WINNERS? It’s been 20 years since Brazil last won the World Cup in Japan and South Korea – and we think it’s their time again! As well as their jaw-dropping attacking depth, they’re also defensively solid. South American rivals Argentina are also in top form, while our top Euro picks are Germany and France! YOU SAY THE UNDERDOGS? World Cup 2018 runners-up Croatia have an experienced squad and could go on another impressive run, while Uruguay and Denmark are underrated units with squads full of fighters. We wouldn’t be surprised if the 2021 AFCON winners Senegal made their mark on the competition as well! YOU SAY THE FLOPS? Belgium are currently the second-best team on the planet according to the FIFA rankings, but we think there are seven or…

HARRY KANE THE HOLDER Team: England Qualifying Goals: 12 At the 2018 World Cup, Harry Kane became just the second English player to win the Golden Boot and the first since Gary Lineker in 1986! He’s basically undroppable for Gareth Southgate’s side and will need to be at the top of his game if The Three Lions are to go far in the tournament! KARIM BENZEMA THE BALLON D’OR Team: France Qualifying Goals: 3 Fresh off the back of being named the planet’s best player, 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema will go into the World Cup flying with confidence! He didn’t feature at the 2018 WC so this will be his first since the 2014 edition, when he scored three times for Les Blues as they reached the quarter-finals!…

KYLIAN MBAPPE Team: France Qualifying goals: 5 ROMELU LUKAKU Team: Belgium Qualifying goals: 5 LAUTARO MARTINEZ Team: Argentina Qualifying goals: 7 THOMAS MULLER Team: Germany Qualifying goals: 3 ALVARO MORATA Team: Spain Qualifying goals: 2 ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI Team: Poland Qualifying goals: 9 RICHARLISON Team: Brazil Qualifying goals: 6 LUIS SUAREZ Team: Uruguay Qualifying goals: 8 GARETH BALE Team: Wales Qualifying goals: 6 SON HEUNG-MIN Team: South Korea Qualifying goals: 7 ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC Team: Serbia Qualifying goals: 8…

THE GOSSIP! According to reports, deadly RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku has already completed a mini-medical for Chelsea and has agreed to join the Premier League club in 2023! He was one of Europe’s most-wanted stars after scoring 35 goals in all competitions in 2021-22! FEARSOME FRENCH ATTACK! Nkunku only made his senior France debut in March 2022 but he’s already established himself as a crucial member of their squad! Depending on what formation boss Didier Deschamps chooses, he’ll either line up alongside Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe or be used as an impact sub! MORE TO COME? Footy gossips reckon Nkunku isn’t the only RB Leipzig player ready to make the move to Stamford Bridge next year! They reckon classy Croatia centre-back Josko Gvardiol has also agreed in principle…

CHELSEA v ARSENAL PREMIER LEAGUE Sunday, 6 November, 12pm JUVENTUS v INTER SERIE A Sunday, 6 November, 7.45pm MAN. UNITED v ASTON VILLA EFL CUP THIRD ROUND Thursday, 10 November, 8pm BURNLEY v BLACKBURN CHAMPIONSHIP Sunday, 13 November, 12.30pm TOTTENHAM v LIVERPOOL PREMIER LEAGUE Sunday, 6 November, 4.30pm MAN. CITY v CHELSEA EFL CUP THIRD ROUND Wednesday, 9 November, 8pm ENGLANDW v JAPANW WOMEN’S FRIENDLY Friday, 11 November, 7pm ENGLAND W v NORWAY W WOMEN’S FRIENDLY Tuesday, 15 November, 7pm…

CAPACITY 80,000 STAR GAME THE FINAL LUSAIL ICONIC STADIUM This is where the final will take place and, although 80,000 fans will pack in for the big day on December 18, it will be converted into a 40,000-seater stadium once the tourno has finished! CAPACITY 60,000 STAR GAME Spain v Germany AL BAYT STADIUM This ground will host some massive games, including the hosts’ first-ever World Cup clash, Germany v Spain and England v USA. With a retractable roof, it will stay cool under the sizzling sun! CAPACITY 45,416 STAR GAME England v Iran KHALIFA INTERNATIONAL STADIUM England’s World Cup campaign begins against Iran on November 21 in the oldest ground being used at the WC. The Khalifa was first built in 1976 and hosts Qatar’s home international games! CAPACITY…