Patton’s Predictions: Watch Charlotte Dog Pick World Cup Winners

CHARLOTTE, NC — As the 2018 FIFA World Cup gears up in Russia Thursday, soccer fans around the world are pulling on T-shirts for their favorite teams and dusting off international-grade smack talk. But even for some of the most die-hard soccer fans, picking a favorite team to root for can be a real challenge.

There are 32 of them, after all, all vying for the trophy in 64 matchups stretching out over the next month.

This year, Charlotte area soccer fans have a little help when it comes to knowing who’s likely to win the games. (And when we say “little,” we mean it.)

Patton, whose human is Charlotte Independence defender Donnie Smith, is a 25-pound poodle/King Charles spaniel who has made his first round of picks known for the first round of the World Cup.

• Russia vs. Saudi Arabia, June 14, 11 a.m. Patton’s pick: Saudi Arabia
• Spain vs. Portugal, June 15, 2 p.m. Patton’s pick: Portugal
• Argentina vs. Iceland, June 16, 9 a.m. Patton’s pick: Argentina
• Germany vs. Mexico, June 17, 11 a.m. Patton’s pick: Mexico… followed by Germany

Local soccer lovers who can’t make the trip to Russia can watch Smith, along with the rest of the Charlotte Independence team, take on the Charleston Battery Saturday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks are planned after the game.

You can find the Charlotte Independence schedule here.

WATCH: Patton Makes World Cup Predictions

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Photo from YouTube video/ Charlotte Independence