World Cup 2018 Group H

Welcome to 4TR Sports World Cup 2018

The 2018 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner. After a great display at the 2014 rendition, the USMNT  will be looking to prove they are among the best in the world. With some fresh faces in this year’s tournament, as well as a few heavy favorites, here is the complete breakdown of the field of 32.

After a few weeks off for the NFL Draft, we are back with our 8th and final group breakdown.
Group H has a few wildcards and could prove a total toss up next month! 

Group H - Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

Poland

Odds to win: 40-1

Finish in 2014 WC: Have not qualified since 2006

Most Important Player: Poland has been a darkhorse for too long and this summer could be there coming out party to the rest of the world. Dominating their group in UEFA qualifying, Poland only lost 1 of 10, and outscored opponents 28 to 14. This largely has to do with their starting #9, Robert Lewandowski. The former Borrusia Dortmund star is now the main man at Bayern Munich, and hasn't stopped scoring. Lewandowski is also the all-time leading scorer for Poland and had the most goals by a European player in World Cup qualifying with 16 in 10 games. 

FUN FACT: Robert Lewandowski has had some record breaking games, and to list them all would take hours. BUT, the ones that stick out the most are his 4 GOAL HAUL against Real Madrid in the 2013 Champions League Semifinal 1st leg

 , and his 5 GOALS (!!!!!) in 9 MINUTES (!!?!?!) against Wolfsburg in the 2016-17 Bundesliga season.

Pep Guardiola has seen a lot in his lifetime, and to elicit this kind of response is incredible.

Why they have a chance to win: Poland are certainly more balanced as a squad than the past two EURO Finals (Last in Group A in 2012, Quarterfinals in 2016). With less reliance on Lewandowski carrying them every game, the rest of the squad are able to play a bigger role. The emergence of Lukasz Teodorczyk and Arkadiusz Milik as goal scoring threats have been a welcome addition to Poland's strike force, and Wojciech Szczesny in net has been solid. Poland is my favorite to win the group, and anything goes in the knockout!

Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: Poland has performed well in qualifying, but the reality is that this is their first time in the World Cup in 12 years. They have shown that they are prepared to get to Russia, but could the spotlight get to them? Colombia are the only other team in Group H with sufficient World Cup experience, but Poland will hope they can replicate their play from qualifying.

Senegal

Odds to win: 150-1

Finish in 2014 WC: First appearance since 2002

Most Important Player: Sadio Mane. The Liverpool winger was key to their 4th place finish last season, and has had an even better season this year overshadowed by Mohamed Salah (rightly so). Mane is quick and skillful with the ball and can set up teammates or go alone and score in bunches. He also holds the record for the quickest ever Premier League hattrick - 2 minutes and 56 seconds. If he stays healthy, he can terrorize opponents and should be a big factor for Senegal's ability to score. When he shines, he's nearly unstoppable. Just ask Nacho :)

Why they have a chance to win: The Lions of Teranga are ready to take the world by storm this summer. Their lack of World Cup experience and failure to advance to the Semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations since 2006 shouldn't weigh too heavily on this group. Club experience and an undefeated World Cup qualifying run should be enough to see what Senegal can do. Names like Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye, Cheikhou Kouyate, and Sadio Mane headline this very balanced team. I would argue that their only weak positions are goalkeeper and outside back. Do not be surprised if this team makes this summer one to remember. 

Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: Poland has been in incredible form, and Colombia will be itching to repeat their fantastic run from 2014. If Senegal were to not advance from Group H, it would be because both of those teams are on fire. 

Colombia

Odds to win: 25-1

Finish in 2014 WC: Lost in the Quarterfinals to Brazil 2-1

Most Important Player: Radamel Falcao's swansong could prove to be his most impactful. Having sat out of the 2014 World Cup after a ACL tear earlier that season, Falcao still has yet to represent his nation at the World Cup. At the age of 32, who knows what could happen 4 years from now, and Falcao will be wanting to to make the most of his opportunity this summer. Falcao is nicknamed El Tigre (The Tiger) and has an incredible 212 goals in 396 games. His ability to score goals at will has led him to play in 6 different countries, including two spells in England (arguably his only black mark). Falcao will want to amend for his absence in 2014 and remind the world of what he is capable of.

Why they have a chance to win: The 2014 World Cup ended a 16 year absence from the tournament and there is no chance that Colombia will be thinking their Quarterfinal appearance was a fluke. Going out to the hosts, and a continental rival was a sour ending, but La Tricolor certainly have the squad to try and better their best ever finish. Even with the absence their all-time leading goalscorer in 2014, James Rodriguez burst onto the scene to not only win the Golden Boot with 6 goals and 2 assists, but be nominated for the Golden Ball (and do this, no big deal)

James has since had a *slight* dip in form, but has recovered it since moving to Bayern Munich on loan this season. 

Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: This round of qualification has proven to be a bit tougher than 4 years ago. Only safe by 2 points, and 1 point away from having to enter via playoff, Colombia didn't make qualifying as easy as it could have been. Finishing with the second-most ties and a loss to Paraguay made it dramatic, but Colombia kept up with the likes of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Colombia have a similarly tough group in Russia, and tying the likes of Japan or Senegal will only get them an early plane ride home.

Japan

Odds to win: 150-1

Finish in 2014 WC: Finished 4th in Group C

Most Important Player: Shinji Okazaki. 3rd All-time for Japanese goals, and tied for 4th in caps for Japan. The Leicester City man seems to pop up just when his team needs a goal. Often a substitute nowadays, Okazaki will want to go out this summer in style. He only scored one goal in 2014, albeit in a 4-1 romp by Colombia. 

Why they have a chance to win: Japan will not win the World Cup. Not a chance. Ageing roster mixed with a great group of teams equals an early exit. Fantastic for them to qualify, a 6th straight World Cup appearance, but I expect little else from the Japanese. 

Why they don’t have a chance to advance past the group stage: The weakest team in the group could have a real problem on there hands. My money is on Japan laying another egg in the World Cup, with 1 or 0 points. There group is too strong, and Japan just doesn't have the deep roster that Poland, Senegal, and Colombia have.

Group H:

4TR Sports Predicts

1. Poland

2. Senegal

3. Colombia
4. Japan 

As always, let me know how wrong I definitely am, or what your group prediction is.

Come check out the rest of our previews at https://04therecord.blogspot.com/!