Confederations Cup 2017: 5 bold predictions

The 2017 Confederations Cup kicks off Saturday, June 17. Here are five bold predictions about what will happen in Russia.

The Confederations Cup is an eight-team tournament that brings together the champions of FIFA’s six confederations, the winner of the previous World Cup and the host of the next one. The reigning champions, Brazil, missed out on qualification after a dismal showing in the last Copa America.

The 2017 edition of the tournament features Russia, Mexico, Portugal and New Zealand in one group and Germany, Chile, Cameroon and Australia in the other. The top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals, with the final to be played on July 2.

Here are five bold predictions for the tournament.

5. New Zealand and Australia both fail to pick up points

Australia qualified for the Confederations Cup as winners of the 2015 Asian Cup. The following year, New Zealand punched their ticket to Russia after winning the OFC Cup of Nations. However, both teams could leave Russia without picking up a single point in group play.

New Zealand are unlikely to get a point off of Mexico or Portugal, which means their best chance comes against the host nation, Russia, a daunting task given the venue. Australia are in a similar situation. The Socceroos will be big underdogs against both Chile and Germany, and their match with Cameroon is likely to decide who finishes last in the group.

4. Mexico win Group A

Portugal might be the reigning European champions, but they hardly convinced in that tournament. They drew all three of their group stage matches in France last summer, and would have exited the competition at the first hurdle under the competition’s old, 16-team format.

They didn’t get much better in the knockout rounds either, squeaking past three of their four opponents after extra time. Portugal have the best player in the tournament in Cristiano Ronaldo, but they also have an aging roster, and may not be able to give Ronaldo the service he needs anyway.

That leaves the door open for a resurgent Mexico side. Since taking over as manager of El Tri in October 2015, Juan Carlos Osorio has won 17 of 22 games, and lost only twice. Mexico don’t have the star power of Germany, Portugal or Chile, but they have few weaknesses and are playing well.

Javier Hernandez, Andres Guardado and Hector Moreno all tend to raise their level of play when they represent their country. If Mexico can get a favorable result in their first match against Portugal, the group will be theirs for the taking against Russia and New Zealand.

3. Timo Werner leads the tournament in scoring

Timo Werner had a breakout season for newly promoted RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga this season. The 21-year-old scored 21 goals for the second-place team. Werner’s goal total was more than his three previous seasons at Stuttgart combined, and he’ll likely be Germany’s first-choice striker at the Confederation Cup. While Ronaldo and Alexis Sanchez, the favorites for the Golden Boot, are better players, they may not receive the same service as Werner. The only weakness in this Germany squad is a lack of experience, but they’re still one of the deepest and most talented sides in the tournament. This could be a big summer for Werner.

2. Claudio Bravo continues to struggle

Claudio Bravo completed a much-scrutinized move from Barcelona to Manchester City at the beginning of last season. City’s new manager, Pep Guardiola, hoped he could be the sweeper keeper Joe Hart isn’t, but Bravo struggled immensely. To be fair, he wasn’t terrible with the ball at his feet, which was ostensibly the main reason for his arrival, but he struggled in other areas of the game, and was eventually dropped for Willie Caballero.

With the 23-year-old keeper Ederson arriving at the Etihad this summer, it looks Bravo may be on his way out. The Chilean, like many of his compatriots, always seems to be at his best for his national side, but after a difficult year, his struggles will continue at the Confederations Cup. He may even cost La Roja a match.

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1. Inexperience won’t stop Germany

Germany manager Joachim Low picked a very inexperienced squad for the Confederations Cup. Only Julian Draxler and Jonas Hector have more than 20 international caps, while12 players traveling to Russia have made fewer than five international appearances.

However, inexperience shouldn’t be a limiting factor for this side. Low has led his team to the semifinals of every major tournament since the 2006 World Cup, and showed in 2010 how far a talented group of young players can go on the world stage.

The German roster might not have the most well-known stars but they’re incredibly talented. Werner, Joshua Kimmich, Julian Brandt, Draxler, Leroy Sane, Niklas Sule, Amin Younes and Leon Goretzka are all 23 or younger and could play significant roles in Russia.

Low has been under pressure for picking such a young side, but all those players have shown their class in some of the best leagues in Europe, and if any country’s going to live up to expectations at a major tournament, it’s surely Germany. This could be a fun summer for a hugely promising set of youngsters.