World Cup Preview and Grouping Review
World Cup Preview and Grouping Guide
Finally it’s here! The World Cup 2014 is upon us! We’ve put together a
lengthy guide to the group stages below covering all teams and given
our recommended tips.
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Below you will find a team by team analysis of all the teams involved
in this year’s World Cup. We have some recommended bets listed below.
Hope you enjoy the tournament!
Group A
Brazil
A solid looking squad, a World Cup winning manager (Luis Felipe
Scolari) and home advantage are the ingredients that make Brazil one of
the favourites for this World Cup.
Their star player, Neymar, has not set the world on fire for Barcelona
this season and his form has dipped in recent months. Although it
cannot be said he has been entirely disappointing, with 9 goals & 8
assists in just 26 La Liga matches, and completing more dribbles with
the ball (42) than any other player in the Champions League last term.
The adrenalising and energising effect of playing in a home World Cup
should see the winger add to his already impressive tally of 31 goals
in 48 games for Brazil. But more than that, it is Neymar’s jovial
personality, along with centre back David Luiz; players who are seen as
the key motivators on and off the pitch, big personalities who can
galvanize belief within a squad as the tournament progresses.
The confidence has been building steadily after destroying Spain 3-0 in
the Confederations Cup in 2013. Although, interestingly, whoever has
won the Confederations Cup has never won the World Cup the following
summer. Brazil may be the team to break this trend though, winning as
they have, all their previous 7 friendly matches, scoring 25 goals and
conceding just 2 in the process.
Cameroon
Potential for squad implosion and fallouts over money and endorsements
always seem to be an issue when it comes to Cameroon at a World Cup.
Samuel Eto’o is a big, albeit fading, superstar in a weak squad. The
Chelsea striker has complained about the standard of Cameroon’s
facilities, but now may be more upset by not getting a starting berth
for the Lions. Vincent Aboubakar of Lorient may start up front instead
after the 22 year old grabbed 16 goals & 7 assists in Ligue Une last
season.
The experienced Stephen M’bia is still one of their key men when it
comes to midfield orchestration, but there are also other options up
front like Eric Maxim Choupa-Moting (10 goals in 19 starts for Mainz),
who has been an exciting player in the German Bundesliga this year,
completing 114 successful dribbles, making the fifth highest player in
the League despite his limited appearances. Cameroon are unlikely to be
a contender for second spot in this group; their qualifying campaign
saw them score just 5 goals in 7 matches before their play-off win over
Tunisia.
Mexico
Mexico have sold the most tickets, and will take an army of supporters
south to Brazil. This football mad nation has never achieved anything
approaching success on the World stage, and all the indications are
that they will struggle to make an impact on this tournament.
Villarreal’s Giovani Dos Santos is the man who needs to be on form if
this Mexico outfit are to gel creatively. The tricky winger was
involved in 32% of his Club’s goals last season (19 of 60) as
Villarreal finished in 6th place in La Liga.
Another poor season for Manchester United’s Chicarito Hernandez means
that Santos’s Oribe Peralta will be relied upon to score the goals,
while the veteran skipper, Rafael Marquez will marshal a three man
defence, with him as a sweeper.
Mexico’s final group game against Croatia could be the key game for
both Nations, in deciding who qualifies in 2nd place behind Brazil.
Croatia
Although they nearly fell apart near the end of qualifying, with two
defeats to Scotland, a surprise draw against Brazil in the opening
match of the World Cup is definitely not beyond this talented set of
Croatian players. Their superbly talented midfield of Rakitic (Europa
League winner with Seville in May), Modric and Kovacic is one of the
most gifted trio’s in the tournament.
The Seville Captain, Rakitic scored 12 goals & made 10 assists in La
Liga last season, great statistics for a central midfielder. Luka
Modric was one of the integral parts of Real Madrid’s 10th European Cup
win, and Mateo Kovacic is a precocious 20 year old who wears the No.10
shirt for Inter Milan, all three are technically excellent in
possession.
Mario Mandzukic provides an aerial threat (7 headed goals for Bayern
Munich last term, the most in the Bundesliga) that would have unsettled
the Brazilian centre back pairing of Thiago Silva and David Luiz, but
the giant target-man is suspended for their opening match, giving an
opportunity for Eduardo or Jelavic to grab the goals Croatia need to
claim a draw or possibly all three points. The pressure is certainly
all on the hosts, although the Croatian’s will still bank on winning
their next two matches to escape from Group A.
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Group B
Spain
Is Tiki-taka dead? Did it die with the 8-0 aggregate win for Bayern
over Barca in 2013?
Have Spain already been written off before this World Cup has even
begun? Does Xavi have any energy left to play the pivotal playmaker
role for Spain anymore?
The fire-power of Diego Costa (an impressive 25% conversion rate from
shots on target to goals ratio for Atletico Madrid in their La Liga
title winning season) may give Spain a new dimension and a more
clinical edge up front, but is he fit enough? Costa swapped allegiances
from his birth nation Brazil to gain citizenship in Spain, which might
create something of an interesting atmosphere should the sides meet in
the knock-out stages. His 27 league goals last term will mean he will
certainly start ahead of the out of form Fernando Torres, and the
ageing David Villa.
Could they be the first European team to win a World Cup in South
America? Is that even a relevant statistic? Spain are vying to be the
first team to win four major tournaments in a row. To write them off
would be foolish considering their camaraderie and experience, ability
to keep possession in the tough climates, all the while being calmly
guided by their tactically astute manager, Vicente Del Bosque.
Holland
A brilliant qualifying campaign for Louis Van Gaal’s ‘Oranje’ has been
dampened by a very difficult group. Roma’s Kevin Strootman may be a
very big miss in midfield, yet his absence could make the Dutch a more
solid outfit as Van Gaal has changed from a 4-3-3 to three at the back.
Wesley Sneijder’s form has slid dramatically since the 2010 World Cup
and he may struggle to adapt to the tough conditions, after letting his
level of play drop dramatically by opting to play his football in
Turkey for Galatasaray.
Robin Van Persie has 11 goals in Qualifying, joint top with Luis
Suarez, the Dutch captain has had a better season for Holland than Man
United. Under Van Gaal he has 14 goals and 3 assists in 16 matches.
A young, thrusting and vibrant team, based on the youth systems of Ajax
and PSV, the Dutch also have the experience and solidity of Nigel De
Jong and Ron Vlaar at the back and at the base of midfield to shore
things up for the more creative players to shine.
The 20 year old Memphis Depay may be a player who can make a difference
from the bench, scoring 12 goals and making 7 assists for PSV Eindhoven
last season.
The Dutch have enough World Class players to find their way out of the
hardest Group at this World Cup, and Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben is
one of them. The forward is a constant menace cutting in from the right
wing on his favoured left foot (Robben was only 2nd to Ronaldo in terms
of shots (54) on goal in the Champions league this year) and he has a
habit of making a difference in tight, important matches.
Chile
Jorge Sampaoli’s unorthodox formations and tactics continues the
tradition of former manager and newly appointed Marseille boss, Marcelo
Bielsa.
Chile can switch from three at the back with wing backs to a rigid four
or five, to confuse opponents. Their adaptability and fluidity is one
of their main strengths along with bravery and commitment to attack.
The courage in closing people down high up the pitch is a strength
which can become a weakness if caught out by highly skilled opponents
on the counter-attack.
An exciting team to watch with World Class players, Arturo Vidal (18
goals for Juventus from midfield) and Alexis Sanchez (a conversion rate
of 29% for his 15 goals for Barcelona in La Liga), they are more than
capable of causing a shock by eliminating either the Dutch or the
Spanish in the Group stages.
Australia
A young Australia team could really struggle in this ‘Group of Death’,
as the saying goes.
Apparently they are building a young team for their hosting of the
Asian games, but this way of thinking could seriously dent their
confidence if they are destroyed in the three games they play here in
Brazil.
Mile Jedinak is their most solid player. He was instrumental in keeping
Crystal Palace in the Premier League with his unmatched tally of 133
tackles and 139 interceptions, the highest in the League.
Not even the industry and commitment of Jedinak will save Australia
from an early exit, their only other player of note is an ageing and
slightly past-it Tim Cahill up front.
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Group C
Colombia
Missing their talismanic striker Radamel Falcao, Colombia can now
consider their status as dark horses reduced. Although within the squad
the belief remains because of the back-up they possess in the centre-
forward position.
Jackson Martinez (Porto), Carlos Bacca (Seville) and Adrian Ramos (16
goals for Hertha Berlin, and now transferred to Dortmund), have all
scored double figures in top European Leagues last season.
The Colombians can be considered the Group favourites here, and they
certainly boast players who have shown great form this season.
Fiorentina’s Juan Guillermo Cuadrado has 11 goals and more completed
dribbles (118) than any other player in Serie A last season.
Coach, Jose Pekerman’s attractive style of play and emphasis on
movement and possession, mean we could see some very attack minded and
possibly high scoring matches in Group C, but will the natural caution
and defensive mindset of Greece win out over the sharp, incisive
passing of the Japanese and the Colombians?
Ivory Coast
The other side to make up this Group are an Ivorian outfit who have had
the doomed tag ‘Golden generation’ hanging over them for the past
decade.
The now ageing squad have qualified for third World Cup in a row but
have most of their superstar players well past their best (Kolo Toure,
Didier Zokora, Didier Drogba) apart from Yaya Toure, who is perhaps in
his prime, but goes into this tournament carrying some niggling
injuries from the end of last season. Swansea’s Wilfred Bony may get
the nod up front over Drogba.
A solid looking midfield but a ramshackle defence, apart from the
classy right back, Serge Aurier.
The fragile confidence of Gervinho has been a feature of the winger’s
career; on form he can cause problems to any defence but will need to
start the tournament well. He may benefit from the open, attacking
style of Japan in the Ivory Coast’s opening match, the spaces that will
be left in behind the Japanese defence could be perfect for Gervinho to
exploit.
He has looked more impressive since his switch to Roma than, and could
be a real surprise to most Arsenal supporters at this World Cup.
Greece
Greece will be hoping to win most of their matches 1-0 as they kept the
highest number of clean sheets in qualifying with 8/10. They will be
relying on Mitroglou to provide the goals, and they could possibly
sneak out of the group with some solid draws.
As is the way with Greece, the players to look out for are the
defenders. Kostas Manolas is a very old before his years central
defender who completed 70 clearances for Olympiakos in the Champions
League last year, the 2nd highest for a defender behind Real Madrid’s
Pepe.
If Greece can manage a hard fought draw with the Colombians, this could
give them the confidence to carry on implementing their negative
tactics (which to be fair to the Greeks, requires a tremendous amount
of hard running and concentration) in the remaining two matches.
Japan
Alberto Zaccheroni’s exciting Japan team were a revelation at the
Confederation Cup last year, especially in a memorable 4-3 defeat to
Italy. Impressively quick and incisive passing means they will be one
of the most attractive teams at this year’s World Cup.
The climate will not affect them and they could be one of the dark
horses to make the semi-finals, if they can navigate their way out of
this tricky group.
Shinji Okazaki has 15 goals for Mainz in Bundesliga with a 20.8%
conversion rate.
Their Italian coach will be hoping he can finish off the beautiful,
intricate build-up play of Kagawa and Honda, the highly creative,
gifted players operating in behind the striker.
Fortunately, the midfielders have a habit of lifting their game when
they put on the blue shirt, often playing better for Japan than for
their club sides.
This has the potential to be the most fun and exciting group of the
tournament, with Colombia and Ivory Coast the favourites, yet the
defensive qualities of Greece and the attacking verve of Japan could
well see the team’s playing in dark blue strips go through to the
knock-out phase.
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Group D
Uruguay
Semi-finalists last time out but possibly a team in decline this time
around, especially with the absence of Suarez through a knee injury,
although he may be fit enough to take part due to triple training
sessions, and you feel that Oscar Tabarez’s men will severely lack
belief without his presence on the pitch. His 31 goals for Liverpool
last term was the highest of any player in Europe’s top 5 Leagues.
It’s in the defensive third of the pitch where Uruguay have had real
problems.
They made hard work of qualifying in the South American Conmebol
section, conceding 25 goals in the process (the highest of any team to
have qualified for Brazil 2014)
They still retain the now creaky looking defensive pairing of Lugano
and Godin, although their inspirational skipper was a substitute for
West Brom for most of the season and can be considered a weak link in
the side.
They simply must beat Costa Rica in their opening match to have any
chance of making it out the group.
Costa Rica
Missing some key players such as Everton’s Brian Oviedo and top scorer
in qualifying, Savorio, who broke a metatarsal just two weeks before
the tournament, they are none the less a solid unit, keeping six clean
sheets from their last eight competitive matches.
They have pace up front with Olympiakos’ Joel Campbell, and creativity
with Bryan Ruiz operating in the No.10 position, but realistically they
will be the whipping boys of Group D, with England, Italy and Uruguay’s
hopes of escaping a tight group, possibly resting on goal difference,
and therefore, how many goals they can register against the Costa
Ricans could be vital.
England
Unfortunately, statistical analysis isn’t going to help us when it
comes to discussing England’s chances in this World Cup.
Will Roy Hodgson approach this tournament in the right attacking manner
that England fans are crying out for? A noble and rousing defeat, of
high pressing, exciting football would restore a lot of national pride,
and with the players available, this is a realistic possibility.
Hodgson has the blue/red print for an already well grooved attacking
unit if he decides to deploy the six Liverpool players within his
squad. Not only will this bring forward momentum, but also hopefully
some tactical understanding and similar movement and positioning from
Liverpool players who have enjoyed one of their best campaigns for 25
years.
Gerrard and Henderson will surely start in midfield, with Sterling,
Sturridge and maybe even the Mighty Reds’ new recruit Lambert up front.
Many journalists are insisting on the deployment of either Adam Lallana
or Ross Barkley in the No.10 position, signalling the omission of Wayne
Rooney from the starting line-up. Daniel Sturridge could be the key man
in this group if he can gain some confidence with an early goal. Cahill
and Jagielka can be shaky but at least they are establishing a
partnership after playing the last six internationals together.
If England can deploy the genuine pace and skill they have in their
ranks, then they could be the surprising Group winners.
Italy
Cesare Prandelli has many options in midfield and attack, with their
defence already established.
Verratti will start in midfield, the ageing Pirlo (still made the most
accurate through-ball passes (12) in all of Serie A last season for
Juventus) may even be on the bench, although the team will have a
Juventus spine.
Candreva is most likely to play off Balotelli. Although the inform
Cerci (13 goals & 10 assists) and Immobile of Torino, could be a
combination to bring on together off the bench.
Cassano is another dangerous option from the bench after a great season
at Parma, this is also the veteran strikers’ first World Cup.
The English and Italians are the Group favourites, as a waning Uruguay
side are over reliant on their strikers, with only Edison Cavani being
fit enough to start. England’s squad should be a good enough one for
them to be able to change matches from the bench in this intense heat.
Fitness will be key in this group, especially for the games in the
Jungle in Manaus.
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Group E
France
A relatively simple looking group for the French on paper, but they
have failed in previous World Cups in far easier groups. Deschamps’
team do seem revitalised this time around, with some youthful vigour in
the centre of the park in the shape of Juventus’ Paul Pogba; 7 goals
and 7 assists in Serie A last season, with 10 completed through balls,
only 3 players completed more in the entire league.
Cabaye and Matuidi make up the rest of the midfield trio. Matuidi the
muscle, Cabaye the vision and passing, while Pogba provides the power
and a serious goal threat.
Franck Ribery’s stuttering form and injury concerns means there could
be a chance for another impressive youngster, Antoin Griezmann, 16
goals & 3 assists for Real Sociedad this season.
The trickery of Valbuena and the now established striking prowess of
Champions League winner Karim Benzema, means that this is a French team
that could be bound for the quarter finals at the very least.
France are the overwhelming favourites, with the Swiss just edging into
2nd ahead of Ecuador.
Switzerland
The Swiss kept seven clean sheets out of ten in the qualifying stages,
and as you’d expect under Ottmar Hitzfeld, they are a very difficult
team to score against.
Individually, there are plenty of exciting, young players who ply their
trade at some of Europe’s top clubs. Inler of Napoli, has made 268
tackles for the Naples club in the centre of midfield over the last 3
seasons, more than any other player. Right full back, Lichtsteiner, has
been a key part of Juventus’ Serie A dominance in recent years. While
Shaqiri is a a squad player for Bayern Munich, rotating for the likes
of Ribery and Robben, usually in Bundesliga matches. Stocker will
provide the pace and directness on the other flank.
Wolfsburg’s star left back, Ricardo Rodriguez could find himself at one
of Europe’s elite clubs if he continues his fine club form (5 goals and
9 assists in the Bundesliga) into the tournament, while Joseph Drmic is
a fast young striker who has cemented his place as their No.1 striker.
The Swiss are an excellent counter-attacking side and have a very
realistic possibility of qualifying.
Ecudaor
A formidable prospect on home soil, due to the humidity, which enabled
them to qualify with a near perfect home record. Away from Ecuador they
are not such a force, but they may have an advantage over the French
and the Swiss because of the Brazilian climate.
Dynamo Moscow’s Christian Noboa is the engine room in midfield,
weighing in with 6 goals and 5 assists from the base of midfield,
alongside Segundo Castillo they make up a very physical and fit looking
midfield duo. One to watch out for is Vitesse Arnheim’s Ibarra
(averaged 2.1 successful dribbles per game in the Dutch League, the
most of any Vitesse player), who can come up with an unexpected piece
of skill that is so valued at this level of football.
The Ecuador against Honduras game will be a key match for both
countries chances of progressing from this group. If Ecuador can get a
draw against the Swiss in the opening match, then 3 points versus the
Hondurans could be vital if France can do them a favour by beating
Switzerland.
The already qualified French would then face a highly motivated Ecuador
team in the final group match. A more complicated group then meets the
eye possibly?
Honduras
Undoubtedly the weakest side in this group, the Hondurans are a hard
working outfit, who do not really possess enough high quality players,
Espinoza of Wigan, Palaicios of Stoke, and their midfield linchpin
Oscar Garcia, who only plays in the vastly inferior MLS in the USA, are
the stand out players.
They can frustrate teams with highly defensive and aggressive football,
designed to break up the game and prevent the opposition from building
up any rhythm. Their acclimatisation to the conditions in Brazil could
work in their favour when trying to frustrate France and Switzerland.
Realistically though, Honduras have not won any of their 6 games from
their previous, and only, two World Cup appearances.
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Group F
Argentina
One of the favourites for the title, and going for their third World
Cup win, one which would be so much sweeter than the previous two
because their arch rivals, Brazil, are the hosts.
Lionel Messi doesn’t need a World Cup winners medal to be considered
one of the all-time greats, that status is assured, but this must be
his best and possibly last opportunity to claim the illustrious honour.
Messi will turn 27 during the course of this tournament, an age when a
player is at the absolute peak of his powers. Although, his club form
this season has been markedly lower, on goals scored and in general
play, (he still scored an amazing 36 goals from 38 appearances in La
Liga & the Champions League, but when you compare it to last season’s
tally of 54 from 43 apps, and the season before when he registered an
outer-planetary 65 goals from 49 apps), many feel his best season’s may
be behind him and this World Cup has come too late for the diminutive
forward.
Messi is backed up by a very talented first XI. Up front will be
Aguero, Higuain and Messi.
Gago and Mascherano provide a shield in midfield, with Di Maria as the
link between midfield and attack. Di Maria had the most assists (17) in
all of Europe’s top 5 leagues this season.
Issues at the back may be their undoing in the later stages of the
tournament, although Zabaleta is a rock at right full back, and his
relationship with Messi on the right hand side could be key.
Argentina’s recent tournament experience is poor, the only team
Argentina have beaten (without considering penalties) since they beat
Brazil in the World Cup 2nd round in 1990 is Mexico in the 2006 2nd
round.
Argentina to go through comfortably, with Nigeria and Bosnia fighting
for 2nd spot.
Bosnia
The Cinderella story of this World Cup, as Bosnia qualify for the first
time. Bosnia’s easy qualifying group has led some to mark them as dark
horses for this competition, although outside of their talented forward
line of Dzeko, Ibisevic and the creative midfielder, Pjanic (6 goals
and 6 assists for Roma), they are not blessed with many more
exceptional talents.
They will be competing for 2nd place in this group with Nigeria and
Iran if they are beaten badly by Argentina in the first game of the
group.
Nigeria The African Champions are a very pacey team, with Victor Moses
and Emenike up front, but at the back is where the real talent lies
with Moses’s fellow on-loan Chelsea team mate Kenneth Omeru, shining at
Middlesbrough last season – the 20 year old centre back was at the top
of the defensive stats list for Boro last term with 3.1 tackles 1.9
interception per game.
Goalkeeper Enyeama played every minute of the French season for Lille,
and is one of the most consistent keepers in the tournament.
Nigeria have not won a World Cup match since beating Bulgaria at the
1998 tournament, so their chances of making the knockout stages for the
third time will depend on whether they can get a win from their opening
two games before they face Argentina.
Iran
Jakanbakhsh is a 20 year old winger playing at NEC Nijmegen, and he
will be the one that Carlos Queiroz hopes can produce a bit of magic
for the Iranians, in what is a very limited squad and first XI.
The young winger produced 5 goals and 4 assists in the 11 games he
started in the Dutch Eredivisie. Fulham’s Dejagah is another player who
can grab a goal from nowhere, something Iran will need as they are very
likely to play a highly defensive counter-attacking formation.
The start of Ramadan on the 24th June could also cause some problems
for the Iranians as they go into their final group game against Bosnia
a day later on the 25th.
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Group G
Germany
The time has come for this generation of German players to win
something after coming so close in recent tournaments. Bad kick off
times and dealing with the sweltering heat has made them the bookmakers
4th favourite behind Brazil, Argentina and Spain.
Injuries have taken their toll on the German squad, key players like
Khedira, Schweinstiger, and Lahm (and potentially the Goalkeeper Neuer)
are all not fully fit as the team fly out to Brazil.
World Cup veteran and main goal scorer Miroslav Klose may also not be
100% fit – this could be crucial as many feel this German team possess
the guile and craft of Ozil, Gotze and Reus (16 goals & 13 assists for
Dortmund), but not the ruthless clinical finishing power, that only
Klose can provide.
Joachim Low has been experimenting with Gotze (or Schurrle) as a false
9 in the centre-forward position, a formation that then relies on
Muller and Reus to get goals from the wings. Lucas Podolski is
potentially another option up front.
Instability at the back may also cause problems as Dortmund’s Marco
Schmelzer pulled out of the squad to leave Eric Durm (just one
international cap) as the only specialist left back in the squad.
Portugal
Star player’s Cristiano Ronaldo’s muscles injuries are a major concern
for the Portuguese as they face a very tricky task of emerging in the
top two of this very physical group.
Monaco’s Joao Moutinho makes this side tick in the middle of the park
(he was 2nd in the Ligue Une stat table for the most completed passes
in the final third of the pitch, 577) along with Raul Merieles.
Portugal’s build up play is neat and tidy, but as always, putting it in
the back of the net is a problem.
A lack of a real, genuine quality striker is again an issue at a major
tournament, with just Postiga and Almeida to choose from up front,
although they are often there to act merely as a foil for Ronaldo to
then move into a dangerous position from the left wing.
Over reliance on Ronaldo could be their downfall if the Real Madrid man
does not recover from his tendinitis.
Ghana
An ageing side who are unlikely to repeat their feat of reaching the
semi-finals of the previous World Cup in South Africa.
Christian Atsu is another Chelsea loan player who has shone at Vitesse
this season.
The 22 year old will operate on the wing for his country but played
most of the campaign in the middle for his club, scoring 5 goals and
providing 6 assists, making him their player of the season.
Kevin Prince Boateng is a player who can score a spectacular goal,
something which may be needed in this rather functional and
unimaginative Ghana outfit.
USA
The Americans have no real outstanding individuals but have a very
strong team ethic which can make them difficult to beat. Their fitness
levels are exceptional and this could go a long way in the stifling
heat.
Michael Bradley and Clint Dempsey are the stand out players with the
most European experience, and will provide a decent backbone for a team
that will work tirelessly but will come short when it comes to creating
chances, and ultimately, scoring goals.
Germany and Portugal to progress if their star performers can turn it
on, but Ghana’s physicality and USA’s stamina and cohesiveness may
cause problems for the group favourites.
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Group H
Belgium
One of the most talented squads and the tournaments’ dark horses. A
semi-final appearance is very possible after a brilliant qualifying
campaign. World Class players in every position, from Goalkeeper,
Courtois of Spanish Champions Atletico Madrid, to the imposing centre
forward, Lukaku (2nd most shots on target in the PL last season (45)
for Everton), it says everything about the strength of this Belgian
team when most football fans of different nationalities can name Marc
Wilmots’ first XI.
Kompany and Vermaelen at centre back is an established partnership,
with converted full backs Vertonghen and Alderweireld making up a solid
back four.
Witsel, De Bruyne and Dembele is a midfield trio that has everything
you could wish for: the positioning, composure and organisation of
Witsel, the dribbling, work-rate and flair of Dembele, and the
creativity, vision, and goal scoring of De Bruyne.
Add to that the wing wizardry of Eden Hazard (completed 39 more
dribbles than any other Premier League player last season) and Dries
Mertens, plus the fire power of Lukaku, and you have a group of players
who, on their day, could beat any team in the tournament.
A substitute bench of Fellaini, Defour, Mirallas and Januzaj could also
be vitally important as players will tire in the heat and humidity.
A lack of tournament experience could be their only weak spot when it
comes to the knockout stages.
Russia
Russia have not conceded more than a single goal in a match since a
friendly with USA in 2012.
Fabio Capello’s defensive tightness has rubbed off on his latest
national team project.
Mainly home grown players from the Russian league, this could be their
strength in terms of unity, but also their weakness, in terms of lack
of experience in a stronger European league.
Qualifying seemed fairly straightforward but the heat, and the step up
in quality could be too much for them.
Alexander Kokorin is the new hope up front with 10 goals and 6 assists
form 22 starts for Dynamo Moscow.
Russia are a cohesive possession based side under Capello and they
should have enough quality to emerge as runners-up in the group, their
opening match against South Korea will be a vital one so they must hit
the ground running.
South Korea
A very fit and well organised team who can deal with the climate and
who will be competing for 2nd spot with Russia in this group.
This is their 8th consecutive World Cup appearance, getting out of the
group in two of the last three, and of course making the semi-final on
home soil in 2002.
The 21 year old Son Heung-Min is their star man, scoring 10 goals for
Leverkusen last season from the left-wing position.
Their coach, Hong Myung-Bo was voted third best player at the 2002
World Cup, and his inspirational leadership will be crucial to
harnessing spirited performances from this very hard working, youthful
and lively Korean side. Their opening match with Russia will be crucial
for qualification to the next round.
Belgium and Russia are the favourites to qualify from this group, with
their only obstacles being the stifling heat and possibly tiredness in
Belgium’s case, as all their players had tough Premier League campaigns
in England.
Algeria
Algeria got a 0-0 draw with England at the 2006 World Cup, through
sheer dogged determination, and a very unadventurous defensive shape.
The same tactics will be deployed again at this tournament, with the
aim to frustrate and annoy the superior opposition they will be facing.
Discipline and organization will be the key to Algeria in trying to
obtain a 0-0 draw, which is all they can really hope for at this
tournament.
The Valencia winger Sofiane Feghouli is their brightest star, leading
the assist table with 8 for Valencia in the La Liga, while scoring 3
goals in his club’s progression to the Europa League semi-finals.
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