#worldcupanalysis

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BetVernons Analysis - Group H

On paper, Group H looks relatively even matched but Belgium will be fancied by most as group winners. Russia and Korea Republic will provide a threat and Algeria, who famously held England to a goalless draw four years ago, are an improving side he will be eager to impress.

The teams

Belgium can boast an array of world class talent and will be hoping they can channel their individual threat into a team to be feared throughout the competition. Even without Aston Villa star Christian Benteke, the Europeans have enough throughout their squad to make an impact in Brazil.

Russia and Korea Republic will be hoping to progress from Group H and both nations have the guile and skill to make a lasting impression. The former are just four years away from hosting the competition so it is imperative for their fans to see a side that can challenge on home soil.

Algeria are perhaps most bookmakers favourites to finish bottom of Group H but the Africans will be keen to quash those pre-tournaments expectations.

Players to watch

Romelu Lukaku (BEL), Eden Hazard (BEL), Toby Alderweireld (BEL), Sofiane Feghouli (ALG), Saphir Taider (ALG), Kim Bo-Kyung (KOR), Koo ja-Cheol (KOR), Park Chu-Young (KOR), Igor Akinfeev (RUS), Aleksandr Kokorin (RUS).

Group decider

Russia-Korea Republic: Top group seeds Belgium will be watching eagerly to see the outcome of this game. The Russians will be slight favourites against their Asian opponents in what promises to be a ‘winner takes all’ game.

Both sides have the individual talent to cause damage but the side that shows a real team togetherness will be the likely victors.

History archive

Soviet Union 3-4 Belgium (AET), 15 June 1986, Leon/Nou Camp

Soviet Union and Russia played out one of the most memorable games in what will be remembered as Maradona’s World Cup. The Red Devils scored three goals in extra time to knockout their European counterparts in a thrilling encounter.

The Belgians eventually went on to the semi-finals – the furthest they have got in World Cup history – before succumbing to eventual winners Argentina.

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BetVernons Analysis - Group G

Germany and Portugal are the clear favorites to progress from Group G. The former have won the competition three times and have the arsenal in their squad to increase that record to four in Brazil this summer. The Portuguese will push the Germans all the way for top spot and have the means to concern the competitions favorites - namely in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo. 

Ghana and USA will be no pushovers by any means. The latter topped England's group in South Africa four years ago and will believe they have the capabilities to cause another upset this time around. 

Ghana came mightily close to reaching the semi-finals four years ago but lost out to Uruguay in heart-breaking fashion at the quarter-final stages. Their squad will demonstrate a fierce and dynamic style of football which could cause the likes of Germany and Portugal some problems. 

The teams  

Germany are heavily littered with world class talent throughout their squad. The news of Marco Reus' injury would have hurt Joachim Low's side but they have enough in reserve to replace the talented Borussia Dortmund star. 

Portugal narrowly lost to Germany two years ago in the European Championships and will be encouraged by this that revenge is definitely achievable. Cristiano Ronaldo will once again be the man to stop for the defenders of Group G. 

USA - lead by former German star Jurgen Klinsmann - will be aiming to cause havoc and upset the bookmakers once again. Landon Donovan and Jozy Altidore are the likely players to steer them to unpredictable glory. 

The Ghanaian's are perhaps the bookmakers favorites to finish bottom of Group G but they will have faith in their ability that they can upset the odds. 

Players to watch

  Kevin-Prince Boateng (GHA), Sulley Muntari (GHA), Asamoah Gyan (GHA), Mesut Ozil (GER), Lukas Podolski (GER), Thomas Muller (GER), Cristiano Ronaldo (POR), Pepe (POR), Joao Moutinho (POR), Landon Donovan (USA), Jozy Altidore (USA). 

Group decider

  Germany-Portugal: The two European giants will lock horns once again in the opening round of fixtures in Group G. Despite meeting in the opening fixture, three points for either side will steer them in the direction of a safe passage to the knockout stages. A galaxy of stars will be on show and this is a must see game for neutrals. 

History archive

  USA 1-2 Ghana (a.e.t), 26 June 2010, Rustenberg

  The Ghanaian's showed their North American counterparts that African football has firmly warranted a place on the football map after this extra time victory. Goals from Kevin-Prince Boateng and Asamoah Gyan either side of a Landon Donovan strike made sure of victory and sent the fans into raptures - and the quarter-finals. 

BetVernons odds

  To Qualify

Germany          1/9

Portugal           2/5

Ghana             11/4

USA                  3/1

*prices correct as of 16:00 12/06/2014

[betvernons]

BetVernons Analysis - Group F

The participants in Group F will welcome Bosnia-Herzegovina to their first ever World Cup - with the aim of ending their charge at the group stages.

The eastern Europeans only made their football debut in 1995 after becoming an independent football nation. South Africa 2010 almost became Bosnia-Herzegovina's first World Cup appearance but a play-off defeat to Portugal paid end to their hope on that occasion. 

Iran are yet to meet any of their Group F rivals in a World Cup finals so they will be hoping to put a spanner in the works of their Group F rivals. 

Argentina and Nigeria certainly have history with each other when it comes to the World Cup. They faced each other in Diego Maradona's last game for the South Americans at USA 94. On a personal level, Lionel Messi and John Obi Mikel will be clashing for the fourth time on the international stage. The former has come out on top all three of those times - including victory in South Africa four years ago. 

The teams

Argentina are clear favorites to win Group F with the unrivaled talent they have at their disposal. Lionel Messi will be desperate to add the World Cup to his bulging collection of club and individual accolades. Often criticised  for his efforts in an Argentina shirt - the four time Ballon D'Or winner will be champing at the bit to lead his side to success in Brazil. 

Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina will scrap it out for the runner-up spot. The Europeans will be quietly confident in their ability to hit the back of the net - finishing 4th top scorers in qualifying. The African champions will need to use all of their experience and guile to shift the free scoring Bosnian's into 2nd place. 

Iran complete Group F and are many people's favorites to finish bottom of the group. The Asians will want to upset the odds but the group stages look like their final destination. 

Players to watch

  Lionel Messi (ARG), Sergio Ageuro (ARG), Gonzalo Higuain (ARG), Edin Dzeko (BIH), Miralem Pjanic (BIH), Vedad Ibisevic (BIH), John Obi Mikel (NGA), Victor Moses (NGA), Victor Obina (NGA), Karim Ansari (IRN), Javad Nekounam (IRN). 

History archive

  Argentina 2-1 Nigeria, 25 June 1994, Boston

  Argentina came from behind to beat their African rivals in what was Diego Maradona's last game for the South Americans. Samson Siasia gave Nigeria the lead before a brace from Claudio Caniggia gave the two-times World Cup winners a deserved victory. 

The Nigerians were praised for their efforts by many neutrals and really put Africa on the map in terms of world football. 

BetVernons odds

To Qualify

Argentina      1/33

Bosnia           4/5

Nigeria           11/8

Iran                11/2         

*prices correct as of 16:00 12/06/2014