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World Cup: Group stage predictions and pre-tournament bracket

By Orri Benatar

JARROW, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Flags hang from poles outside the Robin pub as over 300 flags adorn the outside of the pub as it is decorated ahead of the World Cup on June 12, 2018 in Jarrow, England. Managers Clare McFall and Norman Scott have covered the pub in Jarrow with huge St George flags and with flags representing each of the 31 nations who are taking part in the football tournament. Temporary scaffolding has been erected on the roof to support the flags from other nations and the front of the pub is draped in St George standards. The display took three weeks to complete and the pub plans to broadcast every group game with a nations flag being removed as it is knocked out of the competition. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
JARROW, ENGLAND - JUNE 12: Flags hang from poles outside the Robin pub as over 300 flags adorn the outside of the pub as it is decorated ahead of the World Cup on June 12, 2018 in Jarrow, England. Managers Clare McFall and Norman Scott have covered the pub in Jarrow with huge St George flags and with flags representing each of the 31 nations who are taking part in the football tournament. Temporary scaffolding has been erected on the roof to support the flags from other nations and the front of the pub is draped in St George standards. The display took three weeks to complete and the pub plans to broadcast every group game with a nations flag being removed as it is knocked out of the competition. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) /
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Group G

1. Belgium – 7 points

2. England – 7

3. Tunisia – 3

4. Panama – 0

This group is easy to predict. Belgium will crush Panama 7-0 to open the World Cup and they will score more goals than England. My score predictions for the highly anticipated Panama-Tunisia clash is a 4-3 win for Tunisia.

Belgium 7-0 Panama

Tunisia 1-2 England

Belgium 2-0 Tunisia

England 4-1 Panama

England 0-0 Belgium

Panama 3-4 Tunisia

Next: World Cup: Group G

Group H

1. Poland – 7

2. Colombia – 7

3. Senegal – 3

4. Japan – 0

The toughest group to predict. I see two clear top teams in Poland and Colombia. Senegal is very close, but I feel Mane has less support than Lewandowski and James Rodriguez do. Poland will come in first conceding only twice.

Poland 1-0 Senegal

Colombia 3-0 Japan

Japan 1-2 Senegal

Poland 2-2 Colombia

Japan 0-2 Poland

Senegal 1-3 Colombia

Next: World Cup: Group H

Knockout Stage Predictions

Even with a new manager, I feel Spain’s road to the semifinals is very easy if they finish 1st in Group B. If Spain came in second in the group, they wouldn’t get past France in the quarterfinals. Croatia is my surprise quarterfinalist and most of this is by the book. Germany is the safe bet to win and I feel their team offers the perfect blend of talent to repeat as champions.

Next: All 99 EPL players at the 2018 World Cup

If you want to hear more insight into my knockout stage predictions and more, listen to our final World Cup preview podcast down below.

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