The Athletic has turned its daily World Cup coverage into a hub for predictions, offering expert analysis, subscriber selections and algorithmic forecasts that run alongside the tournament’s action.
In the Round of 16, the model and its human participants expect Argentina to edge past Egypt, with Lionel Messi highlighted as the decisive factor for the South Americans.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, still shaking off a hamstring injury, is credited with providing the spark that could keep the match tighter than many anticipate.
A Mix of Voices Shaping the Forecasts
The competition is not limited to seasoned analysts; a six‑year‑old, a dog and an algorithm have all entered the fray, each adding a distinct perspective to the leaderboard that tracks prediction accuracy.
On the other side of the bracket, Colombia is projected to defeat Switzerland. While the South Americans have generated numerous shots, their finishing has been inconsistent, whereas Switzerland leans on veterans such as Ricardo Rodriguez and Granit Xhaka.
Johan Manzambi has emerged as a standout for Switzerland, contributing five goal involvements, but the team’s reliance on experience may not be enough to overcome Colombia’s persistent attacking pressure.
The diverse pool of predictors — from professional journalists like Andy Jones and Elias Burke to younger voices such as Myles, Wilfred and Stanley — illustrates how the tournament’s allure spans generations and even species.