THEY FINISHED 6TH: SWEDEN

Winning their group in somewhat fortuitous circumstances (the rest of the teams just flopped) helped Sweden secure an eminently winnable Round go 16 tie against Switzerland, whom they dispatched. But England proved stiffer opposition, and a nation that gels well as a team but lacks the quality in every department, finally went home from a competition having, like a boring fart who parks themselves in the comfiest armchair at a house party - perhaps overstayed their welcome.

THEY FINISHED 10TH: SWITZERLAND

Hmmm. Harumph. So-so. So what. They always seem to qualify from the group stage, not to The Armchair to back them to do that in Euro 2020. Yet, they never look likely to progress further. One of the teams that slipped through The Armchair’s viewing net this World. Didn’t see much of them so they made little impact, but others might be raving about their performances…

THEY FINISHED 12TH: MEXICO

And so Mexico waves goodbye to another tournament in the early knockout faces. To face Brazil was unfortunate, as the Brazilians are always strong, too strong for most world nations. What if Mexico had won their group and faced Switzerland instead? A different story, which is why that let down in their last group game will really rankle.

ROUND OF 16: Sweden 1-0 Switzerland

The Armchair is no fan of either of these teams and is wondering what the hell they are doing still in the competition. They reek of average. A good team spirit, maybe, but without the Zlat, Sweden has nothing to recommend them. Shaqiri has his moments, but whether he had any here, who knows. Certainly not the Armchair who didn’t watch this, but did see the goal that settled it. An own goal. Nuff said.

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: Serbia 1-2 Switzerland

The Serbs in red, the Swiss in white, Bit confusing, but a great comeback from the latter, with Shaqiri first rocking the woodwork, then making a break in the 90th to finish cooly in the rain. Neither of these teams will be highly fancied by anyone to pull up any trees, and we wouldn’t want them to what with the focus these days being on preserving nature and wildlife. 

The Armchair Predicted:

Serbia 2-1 Switzerland

16 and 10

World Cup 2018: Brazil 1-1 Switzerland

Shock almost followed shock. With the champions turned over by Mexico in the match before, surely the Swiss wouldn’t deliver another form book busting performance?

Well, they very nearly did. Although after the first half hour, this looked like a thrashing was on the cards. Brazil were brilliant, summed up by the quality of Coutinho’s strike, outside the box, like he’s done many times before for Liverpool.

But as the lead failed to be extended, and as Behrami was allowed to foul Neymar to his boot’s content, the Swiss grew in confidence and it’s hard to argue that they didn’t deserve their equaliser.

The Armchair Predicted:

Brazil 2-0 Switzerland

6 right, 5 wrong.

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