World Cup Russia 2018 - What You Need To Know

 We are only a few days away from the premier footballing event that occurs every four years, and, at window cleaning Perth we love Football. Bring on World Cup Russia 2018! Forget the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga et al, this is the only event that brings the greatest names on the planet together in one place! What about the goals of the tournament? It's no longer about $500k per week to play, this is for honor, the homeland of the players, the peoples, culture, personality and history of the place you call HOME. Yes, it's something that any football nut pines for, and it as arrived!

Before you settle into the couch with a bag of chips(thanks for the quote Buffon), a can of your favorite brew, and a voice that's just itching to go hoarse, there are 5 things you MUST know. What would make your list of 5? Here are the 5 priceless things you must know BEFORE the games begin.

What would you say Russia's chances of going beyond the group stages are? What odds would you give them? If I told you that since they began playing as Russia, that they have never progressed beyond the group stages in any of the events that were held in 1994,2002,2014, and that they finished 3rd in each of those, would you write them off?

Now, before you do, consider this: Other than in South Africa in 2010, all hosts have reached the 2nd round. Odds a bit better now? But wait, there's more! In 6 out of 20 times, the hosts have gone on to win. What are the odds of Russia progressing now? A bit better, I am sure you would agree....

So, if Russia has a good chance or progressing, England must be dead certs, right?...

2/ Do You Know....England's Chances of Progressing?

Every Brit is very confident of sailing through. Why, only yesterday(in 1966), England held the cup high. So, it stands to reason that England is odds on to lift it high once more, right? Eh, wait a minute.....

The team has a certain Gareth Southgate as puppet master, pulling the strings as it were....What's Gareth's experience in this matter?

As loyal as the English are to their team and it's manager, can we overlook the fact that this will be his first major tournament? But, that's ok I hear you say, he has all that experience playing in the cup. Well, actually, Gareth Southgate played 2 matches for England in the 1998 World Cup only. No doubt Mr. Southgate has alot of talent, but will his lack of experience count against England this time? Time will tell.