World Cup 2018 Group E FINAL GAMES: Serbia 0-2 Brazil; Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica

The expected sometimes happens, And Brazil are always expected to get to the knockouts, but then so are Germany and we all saw what happened to them. No such disasters for Brazil, with Serbia dispatched and the group won. Serbia’s defeat left the way open for the Swiss to claim their spot which they duly did, although Costa Rica's late equaliser made it look less comfortable than it actually was.

World Cup 2018: Brazil 2-0 Costa Rica

Two late late goals sealed a game The Armchair missed as he was en route to a early summer break at Center Parcs. It was enough to take Brazil to the top of their group and condemn Costa Rica to an early exit. 

The Armchair Predicted

Brazil 3-1 Costa Rica

16 and 8

Who Will Win In The World Cup Round Of 16: Bottom half of the draw.

Predicting is thankless, and only sets you up to be shot down. So many variables in football. Injuries can transform a team’s chances. A sending off can change a game. A referee can turn a result on its head.

But here goes…

BRAZIL v MEXICO

Inconceivable that everyone’s second favourite team, unless you’re Brazilian (in which case they’re your first favourite team) won’t progress further than the Round of 16. Bad enough they didn’t win the last World Cup which was held in their back yard. To lose now….whoah. Yet Mexico won’t make it easy. BRAZIL TO WIN

BELGIUM v POLAND

The stadium awash with red and white. A corner of Russia becomes Warsaw, the Polish fans urging their team to quarter final glory. But having won their group, the Belgians have calm confidence. Their line-up is the strongest in several generations, from keeper to striker. They know this is their chance. They have seen other nations' previous so-called Golden Generations fail. They’ll not make the same mistake here. BELGIUM TO WIN.

GERMANY  v COSTA RICA

The defending champions enter familiar territory. Such a hard team to knock out in the knock outs. And where have Costa Rica come from? Geographically, Central America of course. But they were unfancied before this all kicked off. I believe this one will go to extra time. GERMANY TO WIN

SENEGAL v ENGLAND

Africa’s sole remaining representatives left in the tournament, with the backing of a continent. Against young, inexperienced, unfancied, unloved England. The team on the receiving end of boos from Russian fans wherever they’ve played. This one goes all the way to the PKs, and every Englishman knows how that ends. SENEGAL TO WIN

Who Will Win World Cup Group E?

The World Cup 2018 Group E teams:

BRAZIL 

Costa Rica

SERBIA

SWITZERLAND

Group E stands for educational. Because I believe the teams will finish in alphabetical order, with the two South American teams being propped up by their European group mates.

Brazil will win this group. They always win their group and betting against that is pure folly. Although the other 3 teams all have something decent going for them, they don’t have as much decency going for them as Brazil.

The Swiss have Shaqiri. Costa Rica have Guzman and Ruiz. Serbia has Mitrovic, Matic, Tadic and Milivojevic (the Eeeeeeeeagle!). But Brazil has Alves, Willian, Marcelo, Fernandinho, Casemiro, Coutinho, Firmino, Jesus and Neymar. To name just a few

I’m assuming all these players will be fit for the tournament of course. Even if a few aren’t, Brazil have strength in depth and World Cup experience in abundance. The others, not so much. 

World Cup Group E Betting:

World Cup Group E Predictions:

1: BRAZIL

2: Costa Rica

3: Serbia

4: Switzerland