Brazil are short price favourites to win this group and the World Cup. Switzerland and Serbia both had strong qualifying campaigns, which enabled them to achieve their World Cup spots. These two teams will battle for the second spot in the group to give them a berth in the round of 16. Switzerland’s strong defence will give them the edge and a win in the head to head game will give the Swiss the second spot in the group. Costa Rica, who qualified in second spot in CONFACAF, will not be a challenger to any team in this group and will likely finish in last spot.
Group E World Cup Odds Comparison
*All odds are subject to change right up until kick-off.
Team Brazil Preview
Brazil has been waiting for this World Cup to start ever since the last whistle in their horrible 7-1 loss in the semi-finals to Germany in Brazil 2014 on home soil. In the Conmebol qualifiers, Brazil played like they were out for revenge. They finished top of the group with only one loss and a massive plus 30 goal difference. In their last four friendlies, Brazil won three and drew one. The Brazilian style of football is to be technical, strong dribblers with a side of offensive flair. Brazil have stars at every position up and down their line-up including Allisson in goal, Silva and Alves on defence, Coutinho and Willian in midfield and Neymar and Firmino up front. Brazil is here for one reason only, to win the World Cup, anything else will be considered a failure. Brazil wins this group easily.
Last World Cup Appearance - 2014 Brazil, Lost in Semi Finals (4th Place)
Best World Cup Finish - 5 Time Champions (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
Best Overall Player - Neymar. This Brazil team is filled with stars, but this is no doubt Neymar’s team. Neymar is one of the world’s top players and should shine once agin in 2018.
Top Goal Scorer Prediction: Neymar. This could be two or three other players, but Neymar starts every game and will take all the penalty kicks.
BEST ODDS FOR BRAZIL TO WIN GROUP E
Team Switzerland Preview
Switzerland had a very good qualifying campaign, tying with Portugal on 17 points in UEFA Group B. The Swiss fell to second place because of the tie breaker, which was the head to head action where Portugal beat Switzerland. With this, the Swiss had to qualify via the playoff round. They were drawn against Northern Ireland and narrowly beat them 1-0 in a hard fought two-leg series to qualify for the World Cup. In their last two friendlies, the Swiss won both games including 6-0 over Panama. The Swiss playing style is high energy and high pressing strategy, which allows them to do well on the counter-attack. The likes of Rodriguez, Shaqiri and Xhaka perfectly suit this system. Overall, there is an abundance of talent in this generation of Swiss players. This team will finish second in Group E ahead of Serbia.
Last World Cup Appearance - 2014 Brazil, Lost in Round of 16
Best World Cup Finish - Quarter-Finals (1934, 1938, 1954)
Best Overall Player - Ricardo Rodriguez. There are many players who deserve the top Swiss player, but Ricardo is a strong defender and he also creates lots going forward.
Top Goal Scorer Prediction: Haris Seferovic. The Swiss don’t score many goals in general. Seferovic lead them in the qualifiers and he will again during the World Cup.
BEST ODDS FOR SWITZERLAND TO WIN GROUP E
Team Serbia Preview
Serbia had a few strong teams in their UEFA qualifying group with Wales and the Republic of Ireland. However, Serbia played well, won the group and qualified directly for the World Cup. In their last four friendly matches, Serbia have gone 2-1-1 while not facing a strong opponent. This lead up to the Cup has not been great preparation for Serbia. Their style of play is very physical, low pressure and they rely a bit too much on Tadic, Ivanovic and Kolarov. Serbia is hoping the injection of some successful youth team players like Grujic and Mitrovic will help the team achieve more. This World Cup may be too soon for these young players to have any impact on the results. However, the Swiss should be looking over their shoulder at Serbia. Serbia will finish 3rd in this group.
Last World Cup Appearance - 2010 South Africa, Did not advance past group stage
Best World Cup Finish - 3rd Place, 1930 in Uruguay
Best Overall Player - Nemanja Matic. He is the most important player on this team and will be heavily relied on if Serbia wants to progress.
Top Goal Scorer Prediction: Aleksandar Mitrovic. He led the team during the qualifiers and is the main striker on this squad.
BEST ODDS FOR SERBIA TO WIN GROUP E
Team Costa Rica Preview
Costa Rica had a solid qualifying campaign in the CONFACAF region finishing second behind Mexico. This successful qualifying campaign continued their recent vain of good fortune, now being to four of the five past Cups – compared to only once in the previous sixteen attempts. Since qualifying, Costa Rica’s friendlies did not go their way. Costa Rica only won one game out of three. Los Ticos style is very defensive, playing a 5-4-1 formation while relying very heavily on Navas in goal. With this formation, Ruiz the main attacking option, is often in solitude up front. On most occasions he needs to return to midfield to retrieve the ball himself and create his own scoring chances. Costa Rica need Borges in midfield to press forward and help Ruiz if Los Ticos has any chance. Costa Rica will struggle in this group and finish last.
Last World Cup Appearance - 2014 Brazil, Lost in Quarter-finals
Best World Cup Finish - Quarter Finals, 2014 in Brazil
Best Overall Player - Keylor Navas. He will face plenty of shots in this group. He will need to use all his experience form playing with Real Madrid to help Costa Rica stay in any game.
Top Goal Scorer Prediction: Aleksandar Mitrovic. He led the team during the qualifiers and will be the main striker on this squad for the World Cup.
BEST ODDS FOR COSTA RICA TO WIN GROUP E
Best Bet To Win Group E
Only one team wins this group and it is Brazil. They will unleash their scorers during the group stage.
Sleeper Pick To Win Group E
NONE
There is no longshot to win this group or any sleeper. Group E will be straight forward with Brazil winning and the Swiss taking second. If any other result happens it will be shocking.
Group E Predictions
Not much to say about this group, expect Brazil to win easily and Switzerland should finish in 2nd place also rather easily. Costa Rica should be the punching bag of Group E and Serbia may have a shot at an upset victory but unlikely.
Final Standings Prediction
- 1Brazil - 9pts
- 2Switzerland - 6 Points
- 3Serbia - 3 Points
- 4Costa Rica - 0 Points
Game By Game Predictions