The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins today (June 14). In the final installment of our group previews and predictions, we take a look at Group H:
Poland
FIFA rank (as of June 7, 2018): 8
Best player: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Lewandowski will go down as one of the best footballers to ever come out of Poland. He has scored at least 40 goals for Bayern Munich in the past three seasons. He has been named the Polish player of the year every year since 2011.
One to watch: Kamil Glik (AS Monaco)
Glik has had two successful seasons with Monaco, winning the Ligue 1 title in 2016-17 and finishing second in 2017-18. He is a physical centre back who has outstanding aerial ability in the offensive end.
Outlook:
This is the first time since 2006 that Poland has qualified for the World Cup. Poland is considered the favourite heading into the group but any team has the ability to win. If Poland wants to go deep into the knockout stage, Lewandowski will have to have the tournament of his career.
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Senegal
FIFA rank: 27
Best player: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
Mane finished the 2017-18 season notching 20 goals for Liverpool, which became the first team in history to have three players score more than 10 goals in a Champions League season with Mane, EgyptB次元官网网址檚 Mohamed Salah and BrazilB次元官网网址檚 Roberto Firmino.
One to watch: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli)
Despite being born in France, Koulibaly will represent his parentB次元官网网址檚 native Senegal. He had a strong season in 2017-18 with Napoli helping them place second in the Italian Serie A. Koulibaly stands six foot five and will be a force at centre back.
Outlook:
This will be SenegalB次元官网网址檚 second World Cup appearance following a quarter-finals finish in 2002. Senegal could make for a serious contender as a majority of their starting lineup play for some of the worldB次元官网网址檚 top football clubs.
Every Sadio Mane Premier League goal in 2017/18
B次元官网网址� LFC B次元官网网址 (@LFCB次元官网网址)
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Colombia
FIFA rank: 16
Best player: James Rodriguez (Bayern Munich)
James was arguably the best player at the 2014 FIFA World Cup while coming up short to Lionel Messi for the tournamentB次元官网网址檚 Golden Ball award. He had a strong season at Bayern Munich in 2017-18 with a contribution of seven goals and 11 assists in 23 Bundesliga appearances.
One to watch: Davinson Sanchez (Tottenham Hotspur)
Sanchez made a name for himself after being named player of the year for top Dutch club, Ajax in 2016-17. Sanchez made the move to Tottenham for a fee of 42 million British pounds. He appeared in 31 matches for the Spurs in the English Premier League in 2017-18.
Outlook:
Colombia struggled qualifying for the World Cup this year. They made it to the quarterfinals in 2014 and has all the talent to repeat. Colombia is a younger team led by 26-year-old Rodriguez and should be expected to make it through the group.
Number 3: James Rodriguez v Uruguay - 2014 Round of 16
B次元官网网址� 小邪屑 袧懈泻褝谢蟹 (@AgrathoSam17)
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Japan
FIFA rank: 61
Best player: Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)
Kagawa will be responsible for controlling the midfield. Since 2010, Kagawa has spent his career in the Bundesliga and English Premier League. He is a quality player who knows what it will take to advance.
One to watch: Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City)
Okazaki is a high-end striker who has netted 50 goals for Japan in 113 appearances. In 2015 Okazaki moved to Leicester City in the English Premier League and helped them capture the title in one of the greatest underdog stories in football history.
Outlook:
While on paper, Japan is the weakest team in Group H. However, they have experience in players like Kagawa, Okazaki and Keisuke Honda.
馃嚨馃嚤 Robert Lewandowski
B次元官网网址� UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague)
馃嚚馃嚧 James Rodr铆guez
馃嚡馃嚨 Shinji Kagawa
馃嚫馃嚦 Sadio Man茅
World Cup Group H = 馃敟馃敟馃敟
Group Winner: Colombia. They have a great deal of up-and-coming talent especially on the back end. If Rodriguez can repeat his heroics in 2014 they will sit atop of Group H.
Group Runner-up: Poland. Lewandowski is a spectacle himself and if their defence can hold up against SenegalB次元官网网址檚 forward group, expect them to advance.
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kieran.oconnor@bpdigital.ca
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