World Cup Final Group Stage Round Preview

With England already through to the Round of 16 and preparing to face Senegal, the rest of the World Cup nations will bid to join them as they play, in some cases, their most crucial match of the tournament.

Group E – Costa Rica v Germany

Germany are one of the big sides in dire need of a victory and are rapidly running out of time, with only the match against Costa Rica offering them a shot at redemption and the opportunity to make amends for their poor start to the 2022 World Cup.

This is a critical match for the four-time World Cup winners as only a win will suffice, as they are currently sitting at the bottom of Group E with just one point. Even with a victory, Germany won’t guarantee their qualification as a draw between Japan and the good-looking Spain will see the Asian nation that humiliated Hansi Flick’s side in the opening match finish on the same points, with goal difference forced into play.

A draw between the two is priced at 17/2, with the European heavyweights the favourites at 1/10. On paper, the Germans win this easily, and Spain do them a favour with a triumph over Japan, but as we have seen in this World Cup so far, nothing is guaranteed, and with Germany already putting in a very shaky performance against Japan, it could be worth the punt at 22/1 to see Costa Rica record a famous win.

As Germany have proved in previous World Cups, they are good at dramatic last-minute winners and showing their fighting spirit, so if this one hasn’t been decided by the 75th minute, we could be in for a late winner from the 76th- full-time at 8/11.

Something typical of a struggling giant would be a poor start and a rapid turnaround when it looks like the hopes are fading. Germany could be the side to supply the drama, and at 6/1 to come from behind and win, we could be in for a World Cup classic.

Group F – Croatia v Belgium

This is set to be a  massive game for both sides, as the winner will likely go through with the loser dumped out of the tournament.

Croatia sit at the top of the table with four points, having played good football at the tournament so far, retaining the majority of their squad that made the nation’s first-ever World Cup final in Russia 2018.

Belgium are in a precarious position, having failed to impress in their first two matches, taking a loss from Morocco and now occupying the third spot in the table with a swift flight home after the match looking like a very real possibility.

The third-place winners at 2018’s competition in Russia are the very slight 17/10 underdogs, with Croatia coming in at 13/8 and looking likely to win their group to head into a second World Cup knockout stage In a row. The Russia 2018 finalists are unlikely to be as successful this time around, with a lot of their best players reaching the end of their careers.

However, the Balkan nation are still 4/1 to score in both halves, with Luka Modric likely to be involved in one way or another and 9/2 to score at any time. If it is not the Real Madrid man influencing the game, there is another player that will undoubtedly have a say despite looking off his best in the opening two fixtures.

Manchester City maestro and centre of the Belgium attack, Kevin De Bruyne is 9/1 from 13/2 to score first (Top Price Guarantee) and is 35/1 to assist a goal in each half. If he achieved those feats, it would surely be a man of the match performance for the midfielder who is yet to score or assist in this year’s competition.

A great punt if you are expecting an end to end game; Ivan Perisic, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard each to have at least one shot on target is 3/1.

Group H – Ghana v Uruguay

This could be the most exciting fixture of the three as the world anticipates a fiercely fought battle between two sides that have become rivals in recent times. Coming up against each other in the quarter-final of the 2010 World Cup, Luis Suarez sent the fixture down in history with an infamous save off of the goal line in the final minute of extra time, keeping Uruguay in the match after the subsequent penalty was blazed over by Ghana.

Sent off, Suarez was pictured celebrating the Ghana miss as his side survived to the final whistle before going on to win the penalty shootout.

Since the iconic match, Ghana have been out for revenge and, biding their time, have finally been given an opportunity at vengeance, one that they are the 19/5 underdogs to claim. Despite their low odds of taking the win, it is sure that the world will be backing the African nation as they face off against a side that has struggled to make a mark on the tournament so far with zero goals and one point.

A Uruguay win, at 8/11, could see the South American nation progress, with Ghana dropping into third place. However, only a win will suffice for Darwin Nunez, Edinson Cavani and Suarez as they look to get on the score sheet for the first time at this tournament.

Nunez, Cavani and Suarez are all 7/5 to score at anytime and 7/2 to score first in the tie with Inaki Williams the favourite to score at any time for Ghana, coming in at 19/5