FIFA World Cup 2018 Group F Prediction

Defending champions Germany will start the defence of their World Cup title as favourites to progress from Group E, despite facing three teams with plenty of World Cup experience.

Group F

Mexico will be looking to keep up their record of successfully getting out of the group stages – they have managed it in each of the last six World Cups – while Sweden, conquerors of Italy in qualifying, and South Korea are the other teams in Group F.

Read on for the fixtures, group odds and forecasts in Group F....

Teams

Germany

  • Won all ten qualifying games, scoring 43 goals, to qualify as winners of UEFA Group C.
  • Key Players: After warming up for the World Cup by winning the Confederations Cup with a young squad, Germany now have a huge depth of options for their final 23-man squad. Timo Werner and Leon Goretzka scored three goals in that tournament, while Werner also impressed in World Cup qualifying. Thomas Muller has scored five goals in each of the last two World Cups, and will hope for more success this year. Mesut Ozil will provide Germany’s creative spark from midfield. A mark of Germany’s strength in depth is the fact Joachim Low has deemed PFA Young Player of the Year Leroy Sane surplus to requirements.
  • Last five results:
    • D
    • D
    • D
    • L
    • L
  • Odds to win the tournament: 9/2 (Bet365)

Mexico

  • Qualified as winners of the North American qualifying group, with their only defeat coming in the final round of fixtures.
  • Key Players: Javier Hernandez has reached 100 caps and become Mexico’s all-time top goalscorer in recent months, scoring his international goals at just a fraction under one every two matches. Rising PSV star Hirving Lozano outscored Hernandez in World Cup qualifying, however, and his goals helped fire his side back to the top of the Eredivisie this season too. Andres Guardado, who could reach 150 international caps by the end of the tournament, will captain Mexico.
  • Last five results:
    • W
    • W
    • L
    • D
    • W
  • Odds to win the tournament: 100/1 (William Hill)

Sweden

  • Beat Italy over two legs in the play-offs to book their World Cup place, having finished second in European Group A behind France but ahead of the Netherlands.
  • Key Players: While Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not ruled out an international return for the World Cup, the current crop of Swedish stars have been performing well in the absence of their iconic striker. Marcus Berg was their top goalscorer in qualifying with eight, while Emil Forsberg weighed in with four and has enjoyed another solid season with RB Leipzig.
  • Last five results:
    • D
    • W
    • L
    • L
    • D
  • Odds to win the tournament: 150/1 (William Hill)

South Korea

  • Qualified as runners-up in the AFC Third Round Group A.
  • Key Players: Tottenham’s Son Heung-Min has emerged as South Korea’s star export after another excellent Premier League season, in which he has weighed in with plenty of goals and assists. He is one of a number of European-based stars in the South Korea squad, including captain Ki Sung-Yueng and midfielder Koo Ja-Cheol.
  • Last five results:
    • W
    • L
    • L
    • W
    • L
  • Odds to win the tournament: 750/1 (Betfair)

Group F Fixtures

Germany

VS15:00 GMTJune 17th

Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Mexico

Sweden

VS12:00 GMTJune 18th

Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Nivgorod

South Korea

South Korea

VS15:00 GMTJune 23rd

Rostov Arena, Rostov-on-Don

Mexico

Germany

VS18:00 GMTJune 23rd

Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi

Sweden

South Korea

VS14:00 GMTJune 27th

Kazan Arena, Kazan

Germany

Mexico

VS14:00 GMTJune 27th

Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg

Sweden

Group F Betting Tips & Prediction

Group Betting

Despite the experience of the other teams in the group, Germany will expect to top Group F with little dramas – particularly given their form in qualifying.

The Germans are 1/3 to top the group with Bet365, while Mexico are 5/1, Sweden are 13/2 and South Korea are 16/1.

Group Qualification Yes/No

There is even less value in backing Germany to get through from Group F, with Bet365 pricing their qualification for the last-16 at 1/12.

There is good value for the other three teams, however, depending on how you see it playing out. Mexico are 11/10 to qualify for the second round – a very generous price.

Mexico’s relatively high price is perhaps reflective of the fact Sweden have already had to qualify directly at the expense of the Netherlands and Italy. The Swedes are 5/4 to reach the second round, while South Korea are outsiders at 5/2.

Despite Sweden’s form and successful qualifying campaign, however, Mexico have reached the last 16 on the last six occasions. It would be a big surprise back home for the Mexican fans if they do not progress with Germany.

Group Forecast

With Germany such big favourites to qualify, you can get more favourable odds if you pick a group forecast.

Germany finishing first, and Mexico continuing their recent tradition of reaching the second round behind the defending champions is 15/8 with Bet365. A Swedish upset, and second place behind Germany ahead of Mexico, would return 9/4.

Mexico’s World Cup record should not be sniffed at, however – they know they have the pedigree, experience and quality to finish second despite Sweden’s results against the Netherlands and Italy in qualifying.

To Finish Bottom of Group

They might have previous when it comes to the World Cup, but South Korea are very much the outsiders in Group F. As a result, you could probably argue that the price of 5/6 on South Korea to finish bottom of the group is a little higher than you would expect.

Nevertheless, with Germany expected to top the group, Mexico boasting a good history when it comes to advancing to the second round, and Sweden the Mexicans most likely rivals for second spot, it is still set to be a winning pick if things run as expected.

Group F Recommended Bet

Mexico have reached the last-16 in each of the last six World Cups. They have a vastly experienced squad, and have already got to grips with Russia at the Confederations Cup. Despite Sweden’s scalps in qualifying, it would be a surprise if Mexico did not qualify from Group F and yet they are as high as 11/10 to do that with Bet365.

Group F prediction

Germany (15/8 to finish 1st with Mexico 2nd with Bet365)

Mexico (11/10 to qualify with Bet365)

Sweden (8/13 to fail to qualify with Bet365)

South Korea (5/6 to finish bottom of Group F with Bet365)