World Cup | Crunch time in Groups E and F | Preview and Odds

Groups E and F remain eagerly poised heading into the final round of group games.

Mexico come up against Sweden but have already sealed their spot in the second round for a record seventh tournament in succession.

It’s still all to play for with either the Swedes or Germany – who face South Korea – joining them in the knockout stages.

In Group E tomorrow evening, it’s a three-way contest for the top-two spots and it could be a dramatic finale as one of Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia will join Costa Rica in making an early exit from the tournament.

Our football expert runs through his best World Cup bets ahead of the matches.

Mexico v Sweden

Sweden need to come away with a win to have any chance of qualifying for the latter stages, but they come up against a Mexico side who have looked one of the standout sides of the tournament so far.

The Swedes have found goals hard to come by so far in the tournament, scoring just one goal in each of their games, and one of them was from the penalty spot in the win over South Korea.

In comparison, Mexico have looked pleasing on the eye going forward and impressively saw off Germany in their opening group game 1-0.

I fancy them to keep up their 100 per cent record in the tournament and a win to nil looks like a sound bet at 11/4.

South Korea v Germany

Germany need at least a point to be sure of their spot in the last-sixteen and it would be remarkable to think they may miss out.

On paper this should be a straightforward task for Joachim Low’s side, but they have performed below-par so far in this tournament.

South Korea are already out of the competition but would love nothing more than to upset the applecart and come away with something to show for their World Cup effort.

I fully believe Germany will have enough, but a plucky South Korean effort can hold them at bay for the first half, so a half-time/ full-time bet of draw/Germany looks the one to take for me at 10/3.

Serbia v Brazil

Serbia and Brazil are two of the three sides who can still qualify for the knockout stages and that is likely to make this game an edgy one with neither assured of qualification.

Brazil kept on battering away at the door in their 2-0 win over Costa Rica last time out and it took some quality to see them off in the end.

This will be a much tougher task against Serbia though and, despite that, I fancy both teams to score and Brazil to just come out on top at 5/2.

Switzerland v Costa Rica

Switzerland left it late to see off Serbia in the second group game, thanks to Xherdan Shaqiri’s 90th minute effort, and that could prove vital in the overall group standings.

Costa Rica were the surprise side back in 2014 but have been unable to produce that level of form again, and I fancy the Swiss to pick up the win and both teams to score, which is available at 3/1.

Comments

comments


Posted

in

, ,

by

Comments

Leave a Reply