In their Sonderheft, kicker didn't make specific predictions, but gave rough guides as to what a side might be reasonably expected to accomplish. They did well. Like everyone, kicker overstimated Germany, Brazil and Spain, and underestimated Russia. If England reach the final, they'll have made fools of kicker, which thought their station in life was the Q/F.
Spot on
Saudi Arabia: "Won't qualify even from a weak group"
Egypt: "Round 2 might be a hurdle too far"
Uruguay: "No further than the quarer-final"
Morocco: "Round 2 would be a surprise"
Iran: "No canon-fodder and will play well, but won't get out of the group"
France: "If everything goes perfectly, they could land the title"
Australia: "Will resist but be eliminated in the group stage"
Denmark: "Anything can happen: they could go out in the group stage or reach the QF"
Argentina: "World-class attack but vulnerable defence. Won't win."
Iceland: "It would be a surprise if they get out of their tough group"
Croatia: "If the individualists turn up as a team, they could go far; but they might fail if the defence messes up"
Switzerland: "Round 2 is possible (but then they'll probably meet Germany"
Costa Rica: "Another sensational performance is going be difficult"
Mexico: "Could be a dangerous team, but wouldn't go past Round 2 if they qualify"
South Korea: "Won't survive the group stage"
Germany: "Could win a game but will go out bottom of their group"
Belgium: "If they realise their huge potential, they'll be contenders"
Panama: "It'll be just enough to be there"
Tunisia: "Very slim chances of reaching Round 2"
Poland: "Will struggle to reach Round 2, if as much as that"
Senegal: "Don't understimate this team..."
In the vicinity
Portugal: "Won't win but could go far if they are as efficient as in 2016"
Peru: "If everything goes optimally, they could reach Round 2"
Nigeria: "Fair chances that they'll reach Round 2"
Serbia: "The team is too unbalanced to achieve much, but Round 2 is a realistic goal."
Sweden: "Good enough to reach Round 2"
England: "If everything goes well, the Q/F is a possibility"
Colombia: "A dangerous team which can spring a surprise, but not a title contender"
Japan: "Could cause an upset, but will find it tough surviving their group"
Surprise!
Russia: "More than Round 2 would be a surprise"
Spain: "This team is one of the favourites"
Brazil: "Good in attack and balanced, this team is one of the top favourites."
Germany: "Contenders", apparently
Spot on
Saudi Arabia: "Won't qualify even from a weak group"
Egypt: "Round 2 might be a hurdle too far"
Uruguay: "No further than the quarer-final"
Morocco: "Round 2 would be a surprise"
Iran: "No canon-fodder and will play well, but won't get out of the group"
France: "If everything goes perfectly, they could land the title"
Australia: "Will resist but be eliminated in the group stage"
Denmark: "Anything can happen: they could go out in the group stage or reach the QF"
Argentina: "World-class attack but vulnerable defence. Won't win."
Iceland: "It would be a surprise if they get out of their tough group"
Croatia: "If the individualists turn up as a team, they could go far; but they might fail if the defence messes up"
Switzerland: "Round 2 is possible (but then they'll probably meet Germany"
Costa Rica: "Another sensational performance is going be difficult"
Mexico: "Could be a dangerous team, but wouldn't go past Round 2 if they qualify"
South Korea: "Won't survive the group stage"
Germany: "Could win a game but will go out bottom of their group"
Belgium: "If they realise their huge potential, they'll be contenders"
Panama: "It'll be just enough to be there"
Tunisia: "Very slim chances of reaching Round 2"
Poland: "Will struggle to reach Round 2, if as much as that"
Senegal: "Don't understimate this team..."
In the vicinity
Portugal: "Won't win but could go far if they are as efficient as in 2016"
Peru: "If everything goes optimally, they could reach Round 2"
Nigeria: "Fair chances that they'll reach Round 2"
Serbia: "The team is too unbalanced to achieve much, but Round 2 is a realistic goal."
Sweden: "Good enough to reach Round 2"
England: "If everything goes well, the Q/F is a possibility"
Colombia: "A dangerous team which can spring a surprise, but not a title contender"
Japan: "Could cause an upset, but will find it tough surviving their group"
Surprise!
Russia: "More than Round 2 would be a surprise"
Spain: "This team is one of the favourites"
Brazil: "Good in attack and balanced, this team is one of the top favourites."
Germany: "Contenders", apparently
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