Brazil 2014: Group H preview

Supposedly the 2nd easiest group according to FIFA rankings. Containing Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea it has the potential for not running to form.

Belgium. 4th place in 1986 has their best finish in 11 appearances in the finals. Ranked 11th in the world, this tournament is still likely to be on of disappointment. Have a tendency to get bogged down in midfield.  The ‘easy’ group should give then some confidence if they do manage the wins.

Star Man. Eden Hazard of Chelsea. Unexpected Hero? ‘Keeper Thibaut Courtis.

Algeria. Ranked a little behind Russia, Algeria have an opportunity to progress in their 4th appearance in the World Cup finals. They’ve lost so many players to France in the past, have they turned that around to create their own ‘Les Blues’?

Star Man. Valencia’s  Sofiane Feghouli. Unexpected Hero?Islam Slimani.

Russia. Qualified ahead of Portugal in their table, but have always struggled in this competition. Ex-England boss Fabio Capello could lead them to the last 16.

Star Man. A new Russian great ‘keeper in Igor Akinfeev? Unexpected Hero? Sergey Ignashevich

South Korea. Poor run up to the World Cup will have dented their confidence. This will be their 9th World Cup, their best finish being when they co-hosted in 2002 when they came 4th.

Star Man. Bayer Leverkusen’s Son Heungmin Unexpected Hero? 24 year-old Kim Younggwon

Prediction. 1st Belgium, 2nd Russia, 3rd South Korea, 4th Algeria

Fixtures:-

Tuesday 17th June 2014	Belgium 2 v Algeria 1	17:00	ITV	Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Tuesday 17th June 2014	Russia 1 v South Korea 1	23:00	BBC 1	Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Sunday 22nd June 2014	Belgium v Russia	17:00	BBC 1	Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro
Sunday 22nd June 2014	South Korea v Algeria	20:00	ITV	Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegr
Thursday 26th June 2014	South Korea v Belgium	21:00	ITV	Arena de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo
Thursday 26th June 2014	Algeria v Russia	21:00	ITV4	Arena da Baixada, Curitiba