World Cup Preview: Group G

---

SteemSports Presenter:@thesportsguy

---

SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets

---

Welcome back to our ongoing preview of the 2018 World Cup from Russia, as the action gets set to kickoff between the hosts and Saudi Arabia, we move on in group previews to what seems to be a very anti-climatic group - at least on paper anyway. For all intents and purposes it seems as though its the Belgians, English, and the "other" two comprising this group. Forget about Panama and Tunisia, and each underdog is capable of crashing the party and ruining the big boys' plans though. The talk in group G is focused primarily on powers Belgium and England - and rightfully so - but don't forget about the little guys - let's get to it, here is our Group G preview:

---

---

BELGIUM

---

Appearances: 13th

---

World Cup History: 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014

---

Best Finish: 4th (1986)

---

World Cup Record: 14-9-18 (W-D-L)

---

Current World Rank: (3)

---

What a great time to be a supporter of Belgium as the 'De Rode Duivels' are enjoying a 'golden age' of soccer at the moment. They head into the World Cup ranked # 3 in the world, and since breaking through in Brazil 2014 to the Quarter-finals for the first time since 1986, the Belgians also reached # 1 in the world rankings from November 2015 to March 2016. Head man Roberto Martinez has what many are considering to be the best Belgium squad ever, especially after they crushed the competition in their group for European qualifying. They won 9 and settled for a draw in the other match. Their 43 goals in the ten qualifying matches - good for 4.3 per match - matched Germany for most scored by any European squad during UEFA qualifying. Captain Eden Hazard is a terrific talent, but is a bit divisive, however, Kevin De Bruyne, Marouane Fellaini, and Romelu Lukaku represent part of a golden generation of talent, and 'Les Diables Rouges' have been in top form as of late - going unbeaten in their last 14 international matches, including friendlies, european championship qualifiers, and World Cup qualifiers. You have to go all the way back to July 2016 to find the last time this squad lost, since then its an impressive mark of 12 victories, 2 draws, and 0 defeats. Look for the much-fancied Belgians to build off of Brazil 2014, and possibly reach the Semi-Finals for just the second time.

---

PANAMA

---

Appearances: 1st

---

World Cup History: N/A

---

Best Finish: N/A

---

World Cup Record: 0-0-0 (W-D-L)

---

Current World Rank: (55)

---

Los Canaleros managed to qualify for their first World Cup by defeating Costa Rica in dramatic - and controversial - fashion on the final night of CONCACAF qualifying. When the United States inexplicably could not come away with a point at Trinidad & Tobago on the same night, Panama rejoiced in jubilation as their ticket to the biggest tournament in the world had finally been punched. While the Panamanians lack experience, they are a gritty bunch that are capable of scraping together a few stellar performances when they need them. However, the 1,000:1 underdogs are tied with Saudi Arabia and Tunisia for the longest odds of winning the World Cup. Panama won't be worried about the odds however, as they overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to punch their ticket in the first place. They need be more worried about their recent form - which has saw them drop 3 of their 5 warm-up friendlies, and only score 1 goal total in the 5 matches, before starting group play. That kind of recent form, and combined with the talent gap of the Belgians and English, may be a bit too much for this green squad to overcome.

---

---

TUNISIA

---

Appearances: 5th

---

World Cup History: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006

---

Best Finish: Group Stage

---

World Cup Record: 1-4-7 (W-D-L)

---

Current World Ranking: (21)

---

If The Eagles of Carthage are to advance to the knockout stage for the first time in their history, it may take a truly monumental effort. Tunisia have won only once in 12 World Cup matches to date, and starting play with a talented England side is not an ideal way to kick-off their tournament. They topped a group featuring DR Congo, Libya, and Guinea in African qualifying, and did not drop a match going 4-2-0. They managed to finish a single point better than DR Congo, but it was enough to put them back in the World Cup for the first time since Germany 2006. Nabil Maâloul's side are led by Captain Wahbi Khazri, and play very sound on both sides of the ball. Their recent form has been exceptional as well as they've managed to go 5-4-1 in their past 10 international matches including qualifiers and friendlies. In their five warm-up friendlies, they defeated Iran and Costa Rica, drew with Portugal and Turkey, and then lost 1-0 to Spain. They appear to be in top form and The Eagles have enough talent and discipline to cause headaches potentially for both Belgium and England in a group that they could surprise in.

---

ENGLAND

---

Appearances: 15th

---

World Cup History: 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966 (hosts), 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

---

Best Finish: Champions (1966)

---

World Cup Record: 26-20-16 (W-D-L)

---

Current World Rank: (12)

---

England comes into Russia 2018 in fine form - they breezed through the normally very treacherous European region of qualifying - topping their group by going unbeaten in 10 matches, finishing with 8 victories and 2 draws. In fact, England's side has been in fine form for quite some time now - they won their final 4 qualifying matches, and then have drawn with the likes of Germany, Brazil, and Italy in tune-up friendlies, and have defeated the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Costa Rica. Overall, they are unbeaten at 11-3-0 in their last 14 international matches including qualifiers and friendlies, since losing to Iceland in the Round of 16 at UEAF Euro 2016. Gareth Southgate's side will be attempting to move on to the knockout stage once again - something they've been able to accomplish 11 times in 14 appearances - the only time England have failed to do so was in 1950, 1958, and the last World Cup in Brazil 2014. The Three Lions have Captain Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, and Marcus Rashford all ready up front, and their fine form of late would suggest this English side may finally have the right mix of talented-youth and experienced leadership to once again not just reach the knockout stage but possibly to the Semi-finals or more.

---

PREDICTION: Belgium, England advance

---

Thank you for following @steemsports and you can find me @thesportsguy

---

---

---