2018 FIFA World Cup: Group E

Ladies and gentlemen!

After a longer break, it's time to take a look at the final four groups of the upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Let's start with Group E today. Do you agree with my predictions?

Team: Brazil

Strengths: After the humiliating 1-7 defeat against Germany in the semi-final at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and a crashing 0-3 defeat against the Netherlands in third place play-off, Brazil is on a mission to not only improve its game play but to add another trophy to its already stunning connection. Some of the key players from four years ago have become more experienced and are now among the best players in the world like Paris Saint-Germain's attacker Neymar, Chelsea F.C.'s attacking midfielder Willian and Real Madrid's left back Marcelo. In addition to this, several highly skilled youngsters are now part of the squad such as A.S. Roma's goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Real Madrid C.F.'s defensive midfielder Casemiro and Manchester City F.C.'s Gabriel Jesus. Brazil's recent performances have been particularly stunning as the squad has only lost one single game in 2017, the Superclasico de las Americas against Argentina.

Weaknesses: Brazil's squad has been going through numerous changes since the last World Cup. Six players have less than ten caps for the national team. Coach Tite has only been in charge for two years. The team hasn't won any title since the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and was eliminated during the group stage of the 2016 Copa América Centenario. The last World Cup also revealed that the team is much too emotional in decisive games and has serious issues to play calmly and professionally. 

Prediction: Brazil will make it to the quarter-finals due to the quality of several inidvidual players in its squad but it won't go any further because the team lacks calm, cohesion and experience.

Team: Switzerland

Strengths: Switzerland has a quite balanced squad this year. Younger players like Borussia Monchengladbah's defender Nico Elvedi, West Ham United's midfielder Edimilson Fernandes and Schalke 04's striker Breel Embolo already have a lot of experience from playing in the world's best leagues. Veterans like Juventus F..'s defender and captain of the national team Stephan Lichtsteiner, Bologna F.C.'s Blerim Dzemaili and S.L. Benfica's Haris Seferovic have lots of experience and leadership as well. Head coach Vladimir Petkovic has been successfully working with the team over the past four years and had already coached six different Swiss teams in the past.

Weaknesses: The last time Switzerland made it beyond the round of sixteen in a World Cup was when the country hosted the tournament way back in 1954. Switzerland is yet to earn a major trophy. 

Prediction: Despite a balanced squad and great coach, the team doesn't have the individual qualities of Brazil or the energizing team spirit of Costa Rica. Therefore, I believe the team won't make it past the group stage this year. 

Team: Costa Rica

Strengths: Costa Rica has had an outstanding 2014 FIFA World Cup, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time ever, when the team lost against the Netherlands in a controversial shootout. The team continued its streak of successes and reached the semi-finals of the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Costa Rica convinced with remarkable team spirit during both tournaments.

Weaknesses: The team doesn't have as much international experience as most of its concurrents and six players in the squad play in local Liga FPD. The team has lost four of its five last games with defeats against Panama, Spain, Hungary and Tunisia. The team didn't pass the group stage of the 2016 Copa América Centenario and only finished fourth out of six teams in the 2017 Copa Centroamericana. Head coach Oscar Ramirez doesn't have much international experience as he has only been in charge of the team for less than three years and only got the job because former head coach Paulo Wanchope was forced to resign after a post-match brawl.

Prediction: Costa Rica's team spirit and the teams recent successes will push it beyond the group stage but it would be a surprise if the team went further than the round of sixteen.

Team: Serbia

Strengths: Serbia dominated its qualification group, finishing in first position ahead of Ireland and Wales, scoring twenty goals in ten games. The team has a balanced squad with experienced veterans like captain and A.S. Roma's defender Aleksandar Kolarov and Zenit Saint Petersburg's defender Branislav Ivanovic and promising youngsters like S.L. Benfica's midfielder Andrija Zivkovic and Newcastle United F.C.'s striker Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Weaknesses: The young national squad is yet to earn its first major trophy. The team didn't make it to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and only advanced beyond the group stage once, back in 1998. Head coach Mladen Krstajic doesn't have much experience as Serbia is the first squad he is in charge of and he was only appointed as permanent head coah in December 2017.

Prediction: The team's and the coach's inexperience will be the main reasons why Serbia won't survive the group stage against more competitive teams like Brazil, Costa Rica and even Switzerland. If the team gets more international experience and continues to focus on a balanced squad, it might have a bright future ahead but this time hasn't arrived yet.