Russia 2018: Groups A - D

The World Cup is only a matter of days away now. Will Russia 2018 just see the same sides progress through to the latter stages? Who will struggle and be disappointing? And who will exceed expectations? Over the next couple of days I will look at the groups to see who will progress, and who will go home.

After that I will move to the knockout stages before giving you my winner, of it all, before the World Cup kicks off. Lets start with the first set of Groups, A- D.


Group A:

Joining hosts Russia are, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay. I would expect to see Uruguay dominate the group, and qualify top with a game to spare. This will be good for the host nation, as they face the South Americans last.

Focusing on a potential meeting with Spain or Portugal, players like Suarez could be rested. As a result, Russia snatch a win in the final game to move to second. Qualifying despite a good effort from the Egyptians.

No real result of note, other than that final day defeat of Uruguay by Russia. Egypt go home with four points and the Saudis finish bottom with a point. Both sides hold the hosts to a draw.


Group B:

Will there be any surprises in this group? I don't think so. We should determine the group winners after the first game though, with Spain and Portugal facing off first up. A draw in the other game, between Morocco and Iran, could see the loser of Spain or Portugal bottom.

I think, however, both opening games will finish as draws. Spain and Portugal will then battle it out for top spot with goals scored. Meanwhile, Morocco and Iran would do well to score any more goals after that first game.

I think Spain will top the Group by a single goal, with Portugal second. Going home, on the same points, are Morocco and Iran, Morocco with a two or three goal cushion over the Iranians.


Group C:

This one is slightly more difficult to call. Yes, I think France and Denmark will qualify, but I think Denmark tops the Group. Level on points heading into the final game I think the Danes will just want it more.

Topping the group would mean the difference between facing Argentina, and not. For Denmark I think that will see them grind out a tough 1-0 victory in the final game. France to finish second? That would be seen as a failure in most peoples eyes I would suspect, with the talent they have.

Australia beat Peru in their final game to finish third, but really their campaign was also disappointing. Never really challenging the other two. Peru leave without a single point, but do score a World Cup goal against the eventual Group winners.


Group D:

Argentina struggled in qualifying but are like the reverse of England, and do well in the competition. Whereas England breeze through qualification only to fall at the event, Argentina will go through as winners, despite their record in qualifying.

The question is, who will go through in second place? Nigeria, Croatia or Iceland? Certainly Iceland did well in competition a few years back, but will they come again in this? I don't think so, and doubt they win a single group game.

Croatia will go through by a single point over Nigeria, after holding Argentina in the second game. With Argentina already qualified, but needing a win to secure top spot, I think Nigeria falls at the final match as Croatia beat an already eliminated Icelandic side.