2018 World Cup: Group A Betting Guide, Predictions, Tips & Odds – Poland, Senegal, Colombia & Japan
About Group H
About Group HGroup H is another that is difficult to pick, with perhaps no standout team having been drawn in it. Poland are ranked the highest in the FIFA world rankings from the four teams, however it is Colombia who are the most fancied to top the standings after their three matches. Meanwhile, with Senegal having been backed my many as a potential dark horse to reach the latter stages, this promises to be the group which produces the most entertaining matches. Although Japan will not be heading to Russia simply to make up the numbers, little is expected of the Asian giants, who have struggled in their warm-up fixtures.
About Poland
Poland finished five points clear of Denmark in their World Cup qualifying group, losing just one of their ten matches in the process. The European side failed to qualify in both 2010 and 2014, meaning that they should be raring to go in Russia this summer. Manager Adam Nawałka is in charge of leading the side this summer, with the 60-year-old undoubtedly looking to Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski to spearhead their charge towards the Round of 16. The Poles have defeated the likes of Montenegro and South Korea over recent weeks, demonstrating that they are in good form ahead of the competition.
About Senegal
Ranked 27th in the world rankings, the second highest African nation, Senegal will be heading to Russia in confident mood, with many of their players having enjoyed successful seasons as club level. Liverpool’s Sadio Mane is undoubtedly their star man, while Premier League talents including Idrissa Gueye, Badou Ndiaye and Mame Biram Diouf should all get game time in Russia. Having qualified for the finals with relative ease, Senegal come into the tournament off the back of consecutive draws against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg.
About Colombia
Despite eventually losing to hosts Brazil at the quarter final stage last time around, Colombia one the hearts of many as a result of their entertaining playing style and passion on the field. As a result, it is the South American’s who are the favourites to top Group H, with the likes of James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao and Davinson Sanchez making up a talented starting eleven. Rodriguez scored six goals four years ago in order to claim the prestigious golden boot award, with Colombian boss José Pékerman undoubtedly hoping that the Bayern Munich man can come close to replicating such form.
About Japan
Japan come into the tournament without a win in their last four matches in all competitions, a run which includes defeats against Ghana and the Ukraine. As a result, few are predicting Japan to make any real impact in Russia, with manager Akira Nishino having only taken over as boss some three months prior to the start of the tournament. Leicester City’s Shinji Okazaki and Southampton defender Maya Yoshida are likely starters, while veteran midfielder Keisuke Honda is closing in on his 100th cap at international level.
2018 World Cup Group H Winner Odds (888Sport)
- Colombia @13/8
- Poland @2/1
- Senegal @5/1
- Japan @8/1
Group H Preview & Predictions
Colombia were one of the shining lights of the tournament in Brazil four years ago and we are predicting that they will once again impress during the group stage. With the South American’s backed to top Group H, many believe that Poland are the favourites to join them in the Round of 16. However, our prediction is that Senegal will in fact be the ones to qualify alongside Colombia, with the likes of Sadio Mane and M’Baye Niang making them a threat against any team. Little is expected of Japan, who are going through something of a transitional phase, with not enough talented youngsters in their ranks to make a challenge in our opinion.
2018 World Cup Group H Fixtures
TUESDAY 19TH JUNE
- Colombia vs Japan 13:00 – Mordovia Arena, Saransk
- Poland vs Senegal 16:00 – Otkrytie Arena, Moscow
SUNDAY 24TH JUNE
- Japan vs Senegal 16:00 – Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg
- Poland vs Colombia 19:00 – Kazan Arena, Kazan
THURSDAY 28TH JUNE
- Japan vs Poland 15:00 – Volgograd Arena, Volgograd
- Senegal vs Colombia 15:00 – Samara Arena, Samara