Mexico, Germany, and Sweden will sort out group F at the 2018 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, while Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia have all to play for in Group E. Our panelists offer up their prediction on this pivotal day of action.
Serbia vs Brazil (Wednesday in Moscow)
Shiven Mohindra: Brazil have definitely not been the side people were expecting, a 1-1 draw and storage time winner have exposed some of the flaws within this Brazilian team. Serbia too have not lived up to the hype around them and Manchester United target, Serjej Milinkovic Savic has not been at his best. Winning this group could have huge repercussions, the winner could face Argentina or a much more favourable Nigeria or Iceland. Serbia will need to secure all three points in order to qualify for the last sixteen. Brazil 5-1
Steen Kirby; Serbia must win to qualify, and frankly that seems unlikely. Brazil looked snakebit for 90 minutes against Costa Rica but even at that late stage their talent allowed them to notch a pair of goals and top the group through 2 games. Serbia are a competitive side but they lack the talent to win this one and they will be ruing the chance they missed against Switzerland. Brazil will go through, probably as group winner. Brazil 2-1
John Bava: Serbia is in a similar position to Sweden heading into their final group game. The two teams let 1-0 leads slip away in their previous games, making the task of qualifying for the knockout round that much more difficult. For the Serbs, that reality is more pronounced considering Brazil awaits them in Moscow. The Seleção got second half stoppage time goals from Philippe Coutinho and Neymar to dispatch Costa Rica and improve their chances of winning this group. Serbia controls its own destiny to advance but it’s hard to see them getting the necessary three points against a Brazil squad that might be coming into form. Brazil 2-0
Switzerland vs Costa Rica (Wednesday in Nizhny Novgorod)
Shiven: Costa Rica have already been eliminated from the tournament and will face Switzerland in a constellation game for them. On the other hand, Switzerland will look to steal all three points in attempt to top the group. Xherdan Shaqiri once again has turned up when it matters most and defensively too Switzerland have been impressive. Costa Rica have struggled so far and have not been able to relive some of the historic moments from World Cup 2014. Switzerland 2-1
Steen: A Costa Rica side that is experienced and trying to play spoiler against a passionate Swiss side that needs a win to qualify (though a draw should get them through unless Serbia pulls a shock). The Swiss are better and they believe in each other, that should be enough to secure three critical points. Costa Rica would love to score a goal in their final World Cup game. Switzerland 2-0
John: Costa Rica is left with nothing to play for after their knockout round hopes ended via a 2-0 loss to Brazil. As such, Wednesday’s game in Nizhny Novgorod against Switzerland is their tournament swansong. That’s not the case for their opponents as a win or even a draw assures them of making the round of 16. The Swiss made an epic comeback in their previous game with Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri tallying second half goals to knock off Serbia. That should endow them with momentum against a Ticos side whose attack’s been pretty impotent considering they have yet to score in Russia. Switzerland 2-1
South Korea vs Germany (Wednesday in Kazan)
Shiven: South Korea have been one of the biggest underperfomers this tournament. With a promising young side, they were expected to compete with Mexico for the final spot in the group. However, after two underwhelming performances they must win against the Germans to go through to the next round. Germany on the other hand have also had two subpar performances, but at the end of the day, we all know, Germany will find a way through. Germany 4-1
Steen: Korea would need to dominate this game to go through, and frankly that’s not going to happen. Germany has not been impressive but they are better across the pitch compared to Korea and even if the Koreans play defensively Germany should crack them at least once. Germany 2-0
John: German soccer fans went through a large range of emotions in the second half of their match against Sweden. At one point, the defending champions were on their way out of the tournament after a mere two games. But Marco Reus and Toni Kroos rescued them and they now have hope against Korea Republic in the group finale. A win coupled with Mexico beating Sweden or the Swedes winning by a smaller margin than Germany will see Die Mannschaft avoid the fate of many a defending champion at recent World Cups. The positive momentum from the way their previous game ended carries over to this one. Germany 3-1
Mexico vs Sweden (Wednesday in Yekaterinburg)
Shiven: Mexico have been one of the dark horses this World Cup with the attacking trio of Chicharito, Carlos Vela and Hirving Lozano proving lethal in front of goal. Sweden were unlucky not to secure a point in their last game against Germany. Sweden must win this game to have any hope of going into the knockout stages. Mexico are not confirmed either, however the odds are greatly in their favour. In order for Sweden to earn a good result here they must defend as an organised unit and cannot fall for the trickery of Hirving Lozano and co. Mexico 3-2
Steen: Sweden are a workmanlike side but Mexico lead the group for a reason and they are firing on the counterattack. Sweden could still qualify but (probably) need a win to do so, while Mexico qualifies with just a draw. Mexico doesn’t have a reason to push too hard, and thus I’ll back the draw. 1-1 draw
John: Suffice it to say that Mexico is having an excellent World Cup so far. Not only have they won their first two group games for just the second time, having also done so in 2002. El Tri has a chance to go unbeaten and untied in group play for the first time ever if they get the full three points against Sweden. At the same time, if they fall and Germany takes down South Korea while making up goal difference, they could see their World Cup come to an end in the group stage for the first time in 40 years. In the end, these two sides share the spoils, making Mexico unlikely Group F winners. 1-1 draw
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