The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins on Thursday, June 14. Leading up to the tourney, weB次元官网网址檒l offer our previews and predictions for each of the eight groups. Today, a look at Group C:

France:

FIFA rank (as of June 9, 2018): 7

Best player: Antoine Griezmann (Athletico Madrid)

Griezmann will be FranceB次元官网网址檚 starting striker and had a respectable 19 goals and nine assists in La Liga this season.

One to watch: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

In 2017, PSG made Mbappe the worldB次元官网网址檚 second-most expensive player when he was signed from Monaco on loan for 145 million Euros. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a reason heB次元官网网址檚 worth this much, just watch.

Outlook:

France is a powerhouse with a great deal of depth including midfielders like Paul Pogba and NB次元官网网址橤olo Kante. They are a young squad and are more than capable of capturing a World Cup this year.

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Australia

FIFA rank: 36

Best player: Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa)

The torch has been passed from Tim Cahill to Jedinak. Cahill is aging, and Jedinak has demonstrated he can produce, scoring 18 times in 75 matches for Australia.

One to watch: Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield Town)

Mooy will partner Jedinak at the back end of the midfield. He had a successful first season in the English Premier League this year for Huddersfield.

Outlook:

Australia is in a tough group where a single loss will likely ruin their chances of moving through the group stage.

How a conversation with a former great sparked Mile Jedinak's career:

B次元官网网址� Caltex Socceroos (@Socceroos)

Peru

FIFA rank: 11

Best player: Christian Cueva (Sao Paulo)

After star striker Paolo Guerrero was suspended for the upcoming World Cup for doping, Cueva could take the reins as PeruB次元官网网址檚 top player. He is a creative attacking midfielder for top Brazilian side, Sao Paulo.

One to watch: Jefferson Farfan (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Farfan scored 10 goals and five assists in the Russian Premier League this season. He combines speed and strength to power through defences.

Outlook:

Peru has a strong side and the ability to beat Australia and Denmark but without Guerrero it will prove to be more of a challenge.

B次元官网网址� Selecci贸n Peruana (@SeleccionPeru)

Denmark

FIFA rank: 12

Best player: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)

Hands down DenmarkB次元官网网址檚 best player, Eriksen is a regular for the Spurs and recorded eight goals during DenmarkB次元官网网址檚 World Cup qualification.

One to watch: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City)

The son of Manchester United legend, Peter Schmeichel, Kasper won a Premier League title with the underdogs Leicester in 2016.

Outlook:

Denmark has a chance to make it through the group stage but their journey will most certainly reside with their match against Peru. They have a strong side with most of their roster competing in EuropeB次元官网网址檚 top leagues.

Christian Eriksen's goals from last night 馃敟馃嚛馃嚢

B次元官网网址� Proper Football (@PSfooty)

Group Winner: France. They will go unbeaten in this group. Any other result will be a shock.

Group Runner-Up: Denmark. The Danes are far more talented than Peru, along with a better goalie and better star player.

kieran.oconnor@bpdigital.ca
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