Group C of the 2018 World Cup in Russia is perhaps one of the eight groups I am most excited about. Tournament favourites France are paired against Scandinavian giants Denmark, Australia’s Socceroos and South America’s Peru. Most people will not have to rack their brains to select the two teams likely to go through to the Round of 16 with France and Denmark the likeliest choice to advance.
Danish maestro Christian Eriksen will be the X-factor in the group if Denmark is to have an amazing run. The Tottenham midfielder’s creativity, playmaking, set-piece-accuracy and recently discovered goal scoring for his country will all be required if Denmark emerge out of an unpredictable group.
Denmark line-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Eriksen as the hub in front of a strong midfield pivot of Thomas Delaney and William Kvist, Nicolai Jorgensen is the preferred choice upfront. Andreas Cornelius usually occupies the right-hand side while Celta Vigo’s youngster Pione Sisto tucks in from the left to complete the attack line. The Danes play very narrow in attack as their wide men tuck into the middle. They have a reliable goalkeeper in Kasper Schmeichel but are heavily reliant on Eriksen and they will struggle against defences that are hard to break down.
The Socceroos of Australia are a talented team that is not mature enough to cause a bang in the World Cup. They are managed by 2010 World Cup finalist Bert Van Marwijk and they play a 4-2-3-1 with Mile Jedinak and Aaron Mooy as the sitting midfielders. Matthew Leckie plays wide right, Tom Rogic plays behind a lone striker likely to be Robbie Kruse. The Socceroos lack a consistent goal scorer and will rely on Tom Rogic’s runs from deep to the box to get goals. Their defensive line is inexperienced and will be their undoing.
Peru plays a 4-2-3-1 with skipper Paolo Guerrero as the main man after an overturned drug ban. Centre midfield pairing of Renato Tapia and Yoshimar Yotun stay narrow while creative no. 10 Christian Cueva roams around the pitch to receive the ball and start attacking moves. Peru is a technically gifted side with real grit in the middle and will be a real test for any team at the World Cup.
France boasts an extraordinary wealth of talent and qualification out of the group should be a breeze. They line up in a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 but in recent times have leaned towards the second formation. N’golo Kante is a lock to start in midfield alongside two other midfielders depending on the approach Didier Deschamps takes – Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi, Steven Nzonzi and even Thomas Lemar and Nabil Fekir if he wants a more offensive midfield. The front three should be Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Greizmann.
France has a slightly inexperienced but strong defence line with skipper Hugo Lloris the leader from the back. Qualification will be done with minimum fuss and they boast by far the best squad in the tournament and are my tip to win the World Cup.
Predictions
- France {Group Winners}
- Denmark
- Peru {Dark Horses}
- Australia
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