GROUP STAGES PREDICTIONS
A – 1 Mexico 2 Czechia 3 South Korea 4 South Africa
Key Game – Mexico v South Korea – Mexico will want to win the group to ensure home advantage in last 32.
Group Summary
Mexico as hosts should win the group , South Korea may struggle
B – 1 Switzerland 2 Bosnia 3 Canada 4 Qatar
Key Game – Canada v Bosnia – Canada will want to win their first World Cup Finals match as soon as possible and could decide qualification for last 32.
Group Summary
Swiss the quality team and Canada as hosts have advantage but have injuries
C – 1 Brazil 2 Morocco 3 Scotland 4 Haiti
Key Game – Scotland v Haiti – Both teams know they have to win their opening game to have any chance of progressing to knockout stages
Group Summary
Scotland on form hopefully beat Haiti and Morocco now have expectation
D – 1 Turkey 2 USA 3 Paraquay 4 Australia
Key Game – USA v Australia – USA must win to or they open the door for Australia to overtake them.
Group Summary
Turkey the class team and USA have attacking threat
E – 1 Germany 2 Ecuador 3 Ivory Coast 4 Curacao
Key Game – Ecuador v Ivory Coast – Two evenly matched teams , this should decide second place
Group Summary
Ivory Coast could be a dark horse in this group although Ecuador tight defence
F – 1 Japan 2 Sweden 3 Holland 4 Tunisia
Key Game – Japan v Holland – Holland have a tricky opening game against a well drilled Japan team
Group Summary
Holland off form and older slower players despite their quality, while Japan have injuries but teamwork could be their key to success, Sweden formidable attack but defensively weak.
G – 1 Belgium 2 Iran 3 Egypt 4 New Zealand
Key Game – Iran v Egypt – Iran will be motivated by external matters and this game should decide second place and a last 32 game v USA.
Group Summary
Belgium the quality team should win the group comfortably
H- 1 Spain 2 Uruguay 3 Saudi Arabia 4 Cape Verde
Key Game – Saudi Arabia v Cape Verde – this could decide third place and a possible route into last 32.
Group Summary
Spain best team , Uruguay struggle to score and Cape Verde may shock
I – 1 France 2 Norway 3 Senegal 4 Iraq
Key Game – France v Senegal – Senegal will be hoping to repeat their 2002 victory over France
Group Summary
France too good, Haaland may get Norway 2nd
J – 1 Argentina 2 Austria 3 Algeria 4 Jordan
Key Game – Austria v Algeria – should decide second place
Group Summary
Argentina quality , but Austria will run them close
K – 1 Portugal 2 Colombia 3 DR Congo 4 Uzbekistan
Key Game – Colombia v Uzbekistan – the debutants looking to upset the South Americans who can struggle on the big stage
Group Summary
Portugal struggle in early games but should be fine against weaker opposition.
L – 1 England 2 Croatia 3 Ghana 4 Panama
Key Game – England v Croatia – both teams will be looking to win the opening game and go on to top the group
Group Summary
England too strong and Modric will do enough to get Croatia second place
Ranking of Third Places
1 South Korea 4pts GD +1
2 Scotland 4 pts GD +1
3 Paraquay 4pts GD +1
4 Ivory Coast 4 pts GD +1
5 Holland 4pts GD 0
6 Algeria 4pts GD 0
7 Canada 4pts GD 0
8 Senegal 3pts GD -1
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9 Ghana 3pts GD -2
10 Egypt 2pts GD -3
11 DR Congo 1pt GD -3
12 Saudi Arabia 1pt GD -4
LAST 32 PREDICTED MATCH UPS
Czechia v Bosnia
Brazil v Sweden
Germany v Paraquay
Japan v Morocco
Ecuador v Norway
France v Holland
Mexico v Scotland
England v Senegal
Belgium v South Korea
Turkey v Canada
Spain v Austria
Colombia v Croatia
Switzerland v Algeria
USA v Iran
Argentina v Uruguay
Portugal v Ivory Coast
Football is Academical 