Forget the Power Rankings: Who do Australians want to win the World Cup?
And then there were four: We've reached the business end of the World Cup, with just two matches to determine who will contest the biggest football tournament in the world on Monday morning, July 16 (AEST).
Australia is long gone, and some of the heavy hitters like Brazil, Argentina, Spain and Germany have departed with their tails between their legs. So who of the final four are the neutral's favourite?
External Link: Who do you hope will win the World Cup?
Until now, we've been using our 100 per cent scientifically-accurate Power Rankings to determine favouritism to take out the World Cup. And for fans of the tried-and-tested method, that's still available for your perusal below.
But now we want to know who your pick is, rather than the Power Rankings machine. Which of England, Belgium, France or Croatia is the neutral's pick?
For those currently undecided, here are some brief sales pitches for each of the remaining four teams.
Could you support England?
For some Australians, it's a case of "never England", but the Three Lions have impressed in Russia, exceeding modest expectations in a stirring run to the semi-finals — the first time since 1990 that England has reached the World Cup's last four.
Old rivalries aside, this England team is a more likeable one than the "golden generations" of World Cups past which were riven with player cliques, and filled with overhyped stars who would so often buckle under the weight of expectation.
Instead, this young Three Lions side has taken the pressure on its shoulders with surprising maturity, managed superbly by the impressive Gareth Southgate.
Pros to backing England: Likeable bunch of lads, the memes are intense, and it's a more street smart, savvy team than in previous tournaments.
Cons: Other than it's the old rival, most of their goals come from set pieces. So if you're a fan of free-flowing football, perhaps look elsewhere.
The true hipsters' choice: Croatia
If you fancy yourself a true aficionado of the beautiful game, Croatia might be the team for you.
The Croats have some fine strikers in their ranks, but the real productivity comes from midfield thanks to the brilliance of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic of Real Madrid and Barcelona fame respectively.
So Croatia's threat isn't as strikingly obvious as Harry Kane's England or Romelu Lukaku's Belgium, but their technical brilliance will put them in with a great chance of a first-ever final (and title?) if they manage to keep hold of the ball.
Pros to barracking for Croatia: Silky skills in central midfield make for great passing displays and sumptuous goals from distance.
Cons: Have a habit of being held to penalty shoot-outs in each of their knockout matches, so are bound to take you through the emotional wringer.
Allez allez: France all the way?
A scary depth of talent, pace to burn and a variety of options to goal sees France loom as the marginal favourites to take out a second World Cup title.
Just as dangerous in open play as it is from a set piece, France's vast array of midfield and striking talents makes it a formidable opposition, with Kylian Mbappe continuing to show why he is one of the world's more incredible footballing prodigies at the age of just 19.
Pros to waving the French flag: Fast attacking play and a smorgasbord of talent at its disposal makes France a seriously juicy team to follow.
Cons: The French played out a stultifying 0-0 with Denmark that rendered whatever the Socceroos did against Peru redundant (Australia lost anyway), so if you're looking for a reason to be bitter …
Backing Belgium: A mean bet on paper
For a second World Cup running, Belgium's Red Devils have looked like a phenomenal side in theory, but then conspired to disappoint when putting it into practice on the pitch.
This time however, Belgium's footballing praxis is firing on all cylinders thanks to a bruising midfield and electrifying front three.
If there's going to be a brand new World Cup title winner in 2018, Belgium looks the surest bet, but it will need to overcome some serious defensive wobbles to ensure history is made.
Pros to getting on the Belgian bandwagon: Their attacking triumvirate of Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Lukaku is frankly incredible, and if you find football's dark arts ironically hilarious, then you'll love their central midfielders.
Cons: Belgium's defence should be playing so much better than it is in Russia. It seriously needs to buck up its ideas across it's very gifted back three.
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ABC .net
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