Taking place in Qatar from the 21st of November to the 18th of December, this year is set to be the 22nd running of the FIFA World Cup competition. This tournament will be the last to involve 32 teams, expected to increase to 48 teams going forward as the competition continues to grow on a global scale.
In the run-up to the event, bookies are busier than ever as football fans look to place bets on their favourite teams. For an exclusive BetMGM Maryland bonus code, sign up today and get a full $1,000 refund on your first bet if it loses plus ongoing promotions throughout the World Cup.
To help you decide on what bets to place, here are some of the FIFA World Cup predictions of 2022:
Karim Benzema to take the Golden Boot
First introduced in 1982, the Golden Boot award is presented to the top goal scorer of the FIFA World Cup. Karim Benzema is not even the Golden Boot favourite on his own team, but his impressive history makes him a strong contender. The Real Madrid striker has scored 42 goals in 41 starts across La Liga and the Champions League this term and his partnership with Kylian Mbappe is a powerful one. Being one of the top 5 players in the world currently, the chances of him taking the Golden Boot are continuing to grow.
Jude Bellingham to win Best Young Player
Jude Bellingham’s place in England’s best XI makes him a strong contender this year, especially considering that his strongest rivals are dealing with injuries or face greater competition. The Borussia Dortmund player is unlikely to move clubs this summer, and his ability should earn him a spot alongside Declan Rice. As one of the best young players on the planet, the Best Young Player is an achievable outcome that could see Bellingham follow in the footsteps of Kylian Mbappe who previously also won the award.
Hugo Lloris to win the Golden Glove
Presented to the goalkeeper who has kept the most clean sheets, the Golden Glove award has been given every year since the first FIFA World Cup back in 1930. With over 130 caps to his name and a World Cup winners’ medal, Hugo Lloris is not one to back down when it comes to tournament football. Although he has been known to be susceptible to occasional errors, Lloris is still a leading goalkeeper that definitely has the ability to pull off unthinkable saves. To boost his odds even further, the likelihood of France reaching the last four is strong which means Lloris is going to have plenty of opportunity to prove himself.
Lionel Messi to win another Golden Ball
Messi has come in for criticism for some of his performances, yet he’s still maintaining the level of talent he had a few years ago. He’s got a potentially favourable draw into the knockout rounds, providing Argentina take of business and wins Group C. Bookies are expecting Messi to carry his and go on to pick up a second FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
