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Russia 2018 Group E – H Previews

Russia 2018 is fast approaching and here at Colossus we can’t wait! With over £50 million worth of jackpots up for grabs over the tournament, it’s sure to be an action packed summer with Colossus. Andrew Francis gives us the low down on groups E – H of Russia 2018.

Group E

Brazil come into the World Cup as one of the favourites and they’ll be looking to put the embarrassment of their 7-1 defeat to Germany in 2014 behind them. They’ve got a favourable group and plenty of talent in the squad but will it be enough to win them their 6th World Cup?

Costa Rica were the surprise package in the competition four years ago, topping a group consisting of Uruguay, Italy and England before eventually losing on penalties to Netherlands in the quarter finals. They’ll be hoping to repeat that feat this time but they are in a big fight for the second place in the group.

Switzerland are considered second favourites to emerge from Group E but they might find things a little tougher than anticipated. They made it to the second round in 2014 but will need the likes of Shaqiri to excel again to advance.

Serbia aren’t fancied by many but without much between the three teams fighting for second place the Eastern Europeans will fancy themselves to get the points they need to get out of Group E.

 

 

 

Key Match Matchday 3 pits Switzerland v Costa Rica and this could be the key game in deciding who advances from the group. It’s entirely possible that this could be winner goes through and there could end up being a huge amount at stake for both nations on June 27th.

Who gets through? Brazil look certain to advance from Group E of Russia 2018 but who joins them is up for debate. I’d side with Switzerland to get through with their added quality in attack being enough but it certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if Costa Rica managed to sneak into the last 16.

 

 

Group F

Germany look to be favourites ahead of the competition with the depth in their squad being envied by most nations. There are a couple of speed bumps in their group though and they’ll have to perform or potentially face an embarrassing early exit from Group F of Russia 2018.

South Korea don’t come into the competition with much in the way of expectations and the Asian side will be delighted to make it through what looks like a tough group. They could be a good sleep pick to make it through if they can nick a win against Mexico or Sweden though.

Mexico are second favourites to emerge from Group F but the side aren’t looking too healthy after they struggled in qualifying against the likes of Panama and Honduras. They’ll be keen to impress though and will know there are expectations on the side to make the knockout phase.

Sweden will, of course, be without their talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the World Cup but they’ve got enough talent in the squad to cause some problems for their opponents in Group E. No one is anticipating the Scandinavians to make it to the latter stages but a win against Mexico could be key.

Key Match The very first match played in Group F could be key with Germany v Mexico looking like the battle between the two nations most likely to advance. A win for either could see them already qualified before matchday three which would be a huge boost.

Who gets through? You’d be a bold punter to bet against Germany advancing and they look almost certain to be in the last 16 but who joins them looks like it comes down to Mexico and Sweden. I’ve got a feeling Mexico could be the dark horses with a surge to the quarter finals and I think they will finish second in Group F.

 

 

Group G

Belgium come into the competition with the weight of pressure on their shoulders again with many feeling the squad underperformed last time out. They’ll be keen to put that right this year and assert their dominance over a fairly weak group in Russia 2019.

England expects as always but this time there appears to be a sense of quiet optimism over the nation’s chances as opposed to the usual all out expectation. The side will be confident of securing qualification and will be keen to do so before the final group game.

Panama come into the World Cup as rank outsiders at 1000-1. They will be looking to do more than just make up the numbers but its hard to see them being anything other than resilient and determined in their debut outing in the competition.

Tunisia represent the biggest threat to Belgium and England in Group H and they sit just one place below England in the world rankings. They’ll be keen to cause a shock on matchday one but it could be a bridge too far for the African side.

 

Key Match Matchday three sees England v Belgium and its entirely conceivable that the two sides will be facing off to see who tops the group and, theoretically at least, faces weaker opposition in the last 16.

Who goes through? It’s hard to see anything other than England and Belgium making it to the knockout phase. Tunisia represent a real challenge for both teams and they could sneak a result against either to put the pressure on but Panama don’t look anything more than bottom place.

 

 

Group H

Colombia come into the World Cup expecting to make the knockout stage and progress further. There is plenty of talent within their squad but is it enough to edge things in what looks to be one of the most unpredictable groups of Russia 2018.

Japan don’t look like they will have much impact on the group but you can guarantee they will be disciplined and have plenty of belief. Their match against Senegal will be key, with the two nations differing styles making picking a winner look tricky.

Poland will be delighted to have been one of the top seeds in the draw and now they’ve got a real chance of making an impact at the competition. They’ve got one of the best strikers in the world in Lewandowski but will his goals be enough to power them to the last 16?

Senegal could be one of the dark horses in the competition. Powerful and quick they’ll look to take the game to their opponents and with the likes of Mane in their side they have players in attack that could prove the difference between qualification and elimination.

Key Match This group is really hard to call and Poland v Senegal on matchday one could end up determining which of the nations advances in the competition. You get the feeling that every match is vital in this group though with no real stand out favourite.

Who goes through? Colombia should have enough to advance from the group but who goes with them looks tough to call with both Poland and Senegal looking to make it to the last round. I think Senegal will have enough to make it through though and it wouldn’t surprise me if they top their group.


 

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