World Cup Bracket 2018: Group Standings, Odds and Picks for Tuesday

The final 2018 FIFA World Cup group gets under way on Tuesday, when Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan will be in action in Group H. Hosts Russia will also return to the pitch, taking on Egypt.

The tournament's final pool may be the closest thing this year's World Cup has to a Group of Death, featuring four talented teams that appear relatively evenly matched.

Meanwhile, Russia hold the lead in Group A on goal difference, and they could qualify for the round of 16 on Tuesday.

Here are the standings so far:

Group A (Team, games played, goal difference, points)

1. Russia, 1, +5, 3

2. Uruguay, 1, +1, 3

3. Egypt, 1, -1, 0

4. Saudi Arabia, 1, -5, 0

Group B

1. Iran, 1, +1, 3

2. Portugal, 1, 0, 1

3. Spain, 1, 0, 1

4. Morocco, 1, -1, 0

Group C

1. France, 1, +1, 3

2. Denmark, 1, +1, 3

3. Australia, 1, -1, 0

4. Peru, 1, -1, 0 

Group D

1. Croatia, 1, +2, 3

2. Iceland, 1, 0, 1

3. Argentina, 1, 0, 1

4. Nigeria, 1, -2, 0 

Group E

1. Serbia, 1, +1, 3

2. Brazil, 1, 0, 1

3. Switzerland, 1, 0, 1

4. Costa Rica, 1, -1, 0 

Group F

1. Mexico, 1, +1, 3

2. Sweden, 0, 0, 0

3. South Korea, 0, 0, 0

4. Germany, 1, -1, 0

Group G 

1. Belgium, 1, 3, 3

2. England, 1, 1, 3

3. Tunisia, 1, -1, 0

4. Panama, 1, -3, 0

For the complete standings, visit FIFA.com. The bracket can be found here.

Here are the latest odds, via OddsShark:

• Colombia (18-25), Draw (5-2), Japan (39-10). Pick: Colombia

• Poland (63-50), Draw (21-10), Senegal (9-4). Pick: Draw

• Russia (22-25), Draw (193-100), Egypt (3-1). Pick: Draw

Senegal, Poland and Colombia are all dark-horse teams, and it's a little cruel to have the three in the same group. Add in Japan, an Asian giant that has a tendency to underwhelm at the World Cup but does have plenty of talent, and Group H has the makings of a thriller.

The Samurai Blue are perhaps least likely to advance due to their coaching situation as they appointed Akira Nishino in April. Japan still seem to be looking for an identity and have not played well in the friendlies leading up to the tournament.

Senegal and Poland are led by star forwards coming off great seasons, and Sadio Mane and Robert Lewandowski respectively should soak up the headlines in their confrontation.

The African teams have not done well so far, but many believe Senegal have the best chance of changing that trend:

Much will depend on Kalidou Koulibaly, who will be tasked with shutting down Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker was phenomenal in qualifying, breaking the UEFA scoring record.

And then there's Colombia, who entertained neutral fans four years ago and have matured into a top team since then. James Rodriguez is back on track at Bayern after a tough time with Real Madrid, and Radamel Falcao is healthy and scoring at a solid rate.

In Group A, all of Egypt will be praying Mohamed Salah returns from injury, as the team is nowhere near as good without him. Russia, meanwhile, can afford to sit back and play for a draw if they choose, as their excellent goal difference puts them in a good position moving forward.