2018 World Cup: Group E Betting Guide, Predictions, Tips & Odds – Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica & Serbia
About Group E
About Group EWorld Cup favourites Brazil are joined by Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in Group E, with the South American giants looking to make up for their thrashing by Germany on home soil four years ago. There is little to choose between the rest of the nations, however Switzerland’s performances during qualifying perhaps means that they are the favourites to join Brazil in the knockout phase of the tournament. Group E promises to be another hugely competitive one, albeit it perhaps not the most entertaining.
About Brazil
Brazil qualified for the World Cup this summer having finished top of the South American standings, losing just one of their 18 matches in the process. Manager Tite has rejuvenated Brazil following their 7-1 defeat against Brazil in 2014, with the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus offering excellent attacking options. Meanwhile, following his return from a three-month injury layoff, Neymar Jr will once again look to light up the world stage. Brazil defeated Croatia 2-0 in their final warm-up match.
About Switzerland
Despite dropping just two points during their qualifying campaign, Switzerland needed a narrow playoff win over Northern Ireland in order to confirm their place in Russia. The European side have proven that they are extremely difficult to beat over recent months, with their 6-0 win over Panama and draw away in Spain demonstrating their credentials this summer. The likes of Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner are among their most recognizable players.
About Costa Rica
Costa Rica won four out of ten qualifying matches in order to confirm their place at this summer’s World Cup, however it is going to take a mammoth effort for the Central American’s to better their performances in Brazil four years ago. Forgotten Arsenal man Joel Campbell and Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas are their best players, with manager Óscar Ramírez will be hoping that two consecutive friendly defeats before the tournament will not effect their confidence too much.
About Serbia
Serbia finished above the likes of the Republic of Ireland, Wales and Austria in order to qualify for the Finals with relative ease, with manager Mladen Krstajić having got his side playing an attractive brand of football, as well as being difficult to beat. Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic is one of a host of English Premier League players in the Serbia squad, while Lazio’s Sergej Milinković-Savić has earned rave reviews following his impressive performances in Seria A this season. However, the lack of a recognised goalscorer is perhaps the major concern surrounding Serbia’s World Cup chances.
2018 World Cup Group E Winner Odds (888Sport)
- Brazil @4/11
- Switzerland @15/2
- Serbia @8/1
- Costa Rica @22/1
Group E Preview & Predictions
Given their form over recent months, it is hard to bet against Brazil topping Group E with relative ease this summer. Tite’s side look to be peaking at just the right time, with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia battling it out for the runner-up spot. However, our prediction is that it will be Serbia who join Brazil from Group E, with their mixture of youth and experience set to make them one of the competitions surprise packages.
2018 World Cup Group E Fixtures
SUNDAY 17TH JUNE
- Costa Rica vs Serbia 13:00 – Samara Arena, Samara
- Brazil vs Switzerland 19:00 – Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don
FRIDAY 22ND JUNE
- Brazil vs Costa Rica 13:00 – Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg
- Serbia vs Switzerland 19:00 – Kaliningrad Stadium, Kaliningrad
WEDNESDAY 27TH JUNE
- Serbia vs Brazil 19:00 – Otkrytie Arena, Moscow
- Switzerland vs Costa Rica 19:00 – Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod