World Cup 2018 Predictions: Wednesday's Match Odds, Updated Group Standings
Brazil can win Group E in the 2018 FIFA World Cup by beating Serbia at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. The Selecao will need to win because Switzerland are favoured with the oddsmakers to beat Costa Rica in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, to keep things interesting.
Before Brazil have the chance to justify their pre-tournament tag as favourites, holders Germany will bid to qualify from Group F. Toni Kroos saved the day for Die Mannschaft when his stoppage-time goal beat Sweden on Saturday.
Now Kroos and Co. must beat South Korea and hope group leaders Mexico do them a favour when they meet Sweden at the Ekaterinburg Arena to ensure they reach the round of 16.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
El Tri are favourites, but a draw looks more likely for a side with qualification already in the bag.
Wednesday's Odds
- South Korea 15-1, Draw 7-1, Germany 10-59
- Mexico 59-50, Draw 23-10, Sweden 12-5
- Serbia 15-2, Draw 39-10, Brazil 4-11
- Switzerland 4-5, Draw 49-20, Costa Rica 39-10
All odds, per OddsShark.
Predicted Standings
Group E (Goal difference and points)
1. Brazil: +4, 5
2. Switzerland: +2, 5
3. Serbia: -2, 3
4. Costa Rica: -4, 0
Group F
1. Mexico: +2, 7
2. Germany: +2, 6
3. Sweden: 0, 4
4. South Korea: -4, 0
Brazil and Switzerland to Both Win
Brazil and Switzerland need only avoid defeat to make it through. It's something each nation can manage, with the former likely to qualify thanks to their artistry in the final third.
Neymar leads the way, but the Selecao can also call on Willian, Gabriel Jesus and Roberto Firmino up top. Yet their most important player may be Philippe Coutinho, the Barcelona playmaker who was pivotal in the 2-0 win over Costa Rica:
Coutinho may struggle for freedom against some familiar faces in the Serbia midfield, notably Nemanja Matic. Neymar and Willian's runs from the outside must drag the Manchester United man out of position and give the Barca star extra time on the ball.
Brazil's own holding midfielder, Casemiro, will have a similar job to Matic when he attempts to subdue Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, the White Eagles' burgeoning star.
Switzerland play a more cagey game than Brazil, a mode of operating unlikely to change against eliminated Costa Rica.
Goals from Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri saw them past Serbia, but the pair—along with Stephan Lichtsteiner—were fined for a political celebration, per BBC Sport.
Both Xhaka and Shaqiri come from Albanian families who lived in Kosovo, where Serbian forces targeted the large Albanian population in the Kosovo War, which ended in June 1999.
Xhaka and Shaqiri were fined and warned by FIFA, but midfielder Valon Behrami has said no such celebrations will be repeated, per the Telegraph.
Switzerland have the experience, composure and pace on the break to get the result they need, even if Brazil will edge top spot on goal difference.
Prediction: Serbia 1-3 Brazil, Switzerland 2-1 Costa Rica.
Germany to qualify while Sweden Draw
Germany avoided disaster and finally got their campaign moving in the right direction when Kroos struck at the death in Sochi. The holders will now finish the job against a South Korea side already out of contention.
Despite obvious defensive issues, Germany can field an enviable contingent of attacking talent. Strikers Timo Werner and Mario Gomez, along with forwards Julian Draxler, Thomas Muller, Marco Reus and Julian Brandt, have enough pace, power, timing and finishing ability to drag this squad out of its mini slump.
Injury problems have usually kept Reus out of major tournaments, but the 29-year-old Borussia Dortmund ace proved his worth against Sweden:
With Reus back in the fold, Die Mannschaft have the firepower they need to edge out Sweden in a race that could be decided by goal difference.
Yet it may not come down to goals, not with Mexico needing a point to make sure of finishing first. El Tri have enlivened the tournament with their fluid movement, quick passing and speed on the break.
Those qualities will be tested by a Sweden side disciplined defensively. For all their organisation, the Swedes couldn't resist Germany's free-flowing game.
They are likely to concede against an expansive Mexico, leaving them short of the result required, especially with a forward line lacking in goals.
Prediction: South Korea 0-2 Germany, Mexico 1-1 Sweden
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
