Paul Chapman

LATEST STORIES BY PAUL CHAPMAN

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Dec. 9

Dan Bilicki’s picks Brazil 2, Croatia 0 With Neymar back in the lineup, it’s going to be hard for any team to contend with Brazil’s firepower while still getting enough bodies forward to attack its stellar defence. Croatia eked past a determined Japan side on penalties, but this will be where the run ends for the 2018 finalists. Brazil is yet to face a truly big challenge – and will have to wait until the semifinals for it.

December 8, 2022 Sports Betting

Lionel Messi and Argentina take on the Netherlands Friday at 2 p.m. EST. Getty Images)

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Dec. 6

Dan Bilicki’s picks Spain 1, Morocco 0 Spain is a smart enough side to not overlook Morocco, which now has the hopes of its continent and the Arab world cheering it on. While the North Africans have looked impressive in topping its group, it doesn’t have the quality in midfield to compete with Spain. This should be a tight contest with chances at a premium – Spain has been preparing for penalties during training – but Spain holds the edge for us.

December 5, 2022 Soccer

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal heads the ball during training.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Dec. 5

Dan Bilicki’s picks Croatia 1, Japan 1 Japan has been no stranger to upsets in this tournament with all three of its group-stage games falling into that category – beating Germany and Spain but losing to Costa Rica. Croatia’s experience is huge and it will know to deal with whatever pressure the scrappy Asians bring. But we’ve seen Samurai Blue able to hit effectively off the counter and can do it again here. This game should be decided by penalties, in which we’ll give Croatia the edge.

December 5, 2022 Soccer

Neymar balences the ball during Brazil training session on Sunday.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Dec. 3

Dan Bilicki’s picks Netherlands 1, U.S. 0 The Americans should bring a similar ferocious press to the Dutch like it did against England. The difference here is that the Dutch won’t be accepting of a draw, given the game would go to the lottery known as a penalty shootout. The midfield battle should be excellent but we think Memphis Depay makes the difference. With a flu bug reportedly going through the Dutch camp, is there an upset in offing? It’s not out of the question.

December 2, 2022 Soccer

Netherlands' forwards Wout Weghorst (left) and Memphis Depay take part in a training session.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Dec. 2

Dan Bilicki’s picks Uruguay 1, Ghana 0 The only other time these two teams met was in the 2010 World Cup, when Uruguay’s Luis Suarez famously handballed a surefire goal out of the net and saw his side later win on penalties. Unfortunately for the Africans there will be no revenge this time. Though Uruguay has failed to score yet in Qatar, Ghana has been poor in defence and won’t be able to hold on for the draw it needs.

December 1, 2022 Soccer

Uruguay forward Darwin Nunez runs for the ball.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Dec. 1

Dan Bilicki’s picks Morocco 1, Canada 0 Both sides do much better on the counter-attack than in possession, so it will be interesting to see how this game plays out. Morocco has more to play for, needing just a draw to advance. While Canada is hoping to get its first ever point(s) at a World Cup, the West Africans will prove just a bit too tough.

with Video

November 30, 2022 Soccer

Spain's Marco Asensio, Sergio Busquets and Ferran Torres take part in training.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Nov. 30

Dan Bilicki’s picks Denmark 2, Australia 0 Even Australian fans are in disbelief that their team has scored two goals from open play so far this tournament. While the Socceroos are easy to cheer for, Denmark is the superior side and need a win to go through. The Aussies may try to bunker down to nab a draw, but the Danes are an organized unit capable of breaking through.

November 29, 2022 Soccer

Poland's forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group C football match between Poland and Saudi Arabia at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on Nov. 26, 2022.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Nov. 29

Dan Bilicki’s picks Senegal 1, Ecuador 0 With Enner Valencia’s status in doubt after suffering an injury late last game, it’s too much to ask for the South Americans to pull out a result against the talented West Africans. Even if Ecuador’s ‘Superman’ plays, it will be hard to be effective against such a stout opponent.

November 28, 2022 Soccer

Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo runs for the ball against Ecuador.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Nov. 28

Dan Bilicki’s picks Cameroon 1, Serbia 1 Two fairly even matched sides, we didn’t get to see much of Serbia in attack during its first game with Brazil being on the ball so much. Expect the Serbs to be a lot more aggressive in attack in this one. The Africans are also in need of some points, though, and won’t back down. Unfortunately, both sides will be forced to settle.

November 27, 2022 Soccer

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic attends a news conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on Nov. 27, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Cameroon and Serbia.

FIFA WORLD CUP: Bilicki and Chapman's picks for Nov. 27

Dan Bilicki’s picks Japan 2, Costa Rica 0 To be honest, this scoreline might flatter Los Ticos after that embarrassing opener. Japan is going to be a tricky side to play for any team going forward and know that it can almost certainly seal a spot in the knockout stage for the sixth straight World Cup with a win. Costa Rica is in desperate need of some youth in its ranks, similar to what Japan has gotten since Russia.