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We conclude our World Cup group stage preview with Group H, which will see Belgium, Russia, South Korea and Algeria fight for the 2 qualifying places. The quality-packed Belgians are the favorites to go trough, but they have yet to prove their worth on the big stage, and all teams in this group are capable of upsetting the odds.
Belgium, after years of struggling to qualify for World Cups and European Championships, has suddenly emerged as one of the best teams in the world. Their reforms in the youth sector have produced a generation of amazing players, and surely for Belgium a quarterfinal is the minimum expectation. The team has easily qualified to the World Cup and is in very good form long-term, winning 14 of the last 21 games, including the last 3. There are few teams in the World that can align a better first 11 than Belgium, but the Devils will still need to respond to some questions in Brazil: are they ready for the task ahead considering the lack of experience (only 1 player over 30 y/o in the squad), do hey have enough chemistry, is Marc Wilmots the right man to coach this team? They are also inconsistent at times, as seen in the last friendly, at home, against Tunisia. They will need positive answers right from the start, otherwise Russia is there to take advantage and steal the first place.
- Key players: Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku
- Strong spots: Overall quality, Depth, Offense, Midfield, Keeper position, Explosiveness
- Weak spots: Experience, Slight inconsistency, Chemistry
- Odds to qualify: 1.22 @ Betfair
Russia had little trouble fending off Portugal for the 1st place in the WC qualifying group. This is a very solid team with great chemistry, great tactical organization under Fabio Capello and their defense is second to none in world football. Russia has not lost in the last 10 matches, had an excellent preparation for the World Cup and did not concede more than 1 goal in a game since 2012. Still, Capello’s side will need to improve their attacking game if they are to be more than an ugly team playing for goalless draws or 1-0 wins. The Russians also do not possess the same star power they did in the past (only domestic-based players in the squad), but they still have good quality, including up front, and all in all it`s hard to see them not qualifying. They could even top the group if their offense does not betray them against South Korea and Algeria, because against Belgium I trust they will able to get a draw.
- Key players: Aleksandr Kerzhakov, Aleksandr Kokorin
- Strong spots: Defense, Chemistry, Consistency, Manager
- Weak spots: Offense, Star power
- Odds to qualify: 1.55 @ Unibet
South Korea suffered a horrible 4-0 defeat against Ghana in the last pre – World Cup friendly, making for their 4th loss in 5 games, all without scoring a single goal – very peculiar, as their best players are in attack (similar to Russia). South Korea was not able to finish ahead of Iran in the World Cup qualies and barely qualified against Uzbekistan – looking at their current form you have to consider them outsiders in this group. The squad is also rather poor compared to previous years. If the attacking duo of Park (Arsenal) and Son (Leverkusen) does not produce the goods, South Korea might well finish last – a bet worth backing.
- Key players: Park Chu-Young, Son Heung-Min
- Strong spots: Youth, Counterattacks
- Weak spots: Individual quality, Offense, Keeper position, Form, Experience
- Odds to qualify: 2.85 @ Bwin
Algeria is considered the worst team in the group by bookmakers, but I`m not so sure about that. African teams seem to be very underrated in this World Cup. Algeria has some fine players and the team is in very good form, winning 4 games on the spin. They have forfeited their previous defensive approach and are playing nice, offensive football right now. Algeria should take advantage of South Korea’s form in the first group match and go on to finish 3rd. It`s unlikely they will be able to qualify, but they could be in the race until the last round.
- Key players: Sofiane Feghouli, Islam Slimani
- Strong spots: Midfield, Offense, Form
- Weak spots: Keeper position, Chemistry, Defensive inconsistency
- Odds to qualify: 5.00 @ Unibet
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