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World Cup 2018 : Top 3 hotly-contested groups

By Chiranjib Ghosh

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 12: The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Italian Football Federation trophies exhibition at the 'Aldo Fabrizi' cultural center on October 12, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 12: The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the Italian Football Federation trophies exhibition at the 'Aldo Fabrizi' cultural center on October 12, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /
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COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – SEPTEMBER 01: Christian Eriksen of Denmark in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Denmark and Poland at Parken Stadion on September 1, 2017 in Copenhagen. (Photo by Andrew Halseid-Budd/Getty Images)
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – SEPTEMBER 01: Christian Eriksen of Denmark in action during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier between Denmark and Poland at Parken Stadion on September 1, 2017 in Copenhagen. (Photo by Andrew Halseid-Budd/Getty Images) /

Group C – France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

Similarly, with Group C, it is obvious who will win this group, and the rest of the countries will be fighting for the second qualification place. France are strong favourites, and Australia, Peru and Denmark are all capable to beating each other to the second position.

The Socceroos do not have a properly balanced side, but they should hope that individual brilliance can lead them to success. The defence is very weak, but has a talented goalkeeper behind them who is more than capable of keeping the number of goals to a minimum in the form of Matthew Ryan. The midfield is slightly more balanced, with Aaron Mooy, Mile Jedinak and Tom Rogic expected to do well. The attack, again is, imbalanced. The side cannot rely on the ageing Tim Cahill anymore, and either Matthew Leckie or Robbie Kruse have to show up in Russia.

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Peru have a decent blend of experience and youth. A lot is expected of promising youngsters Edison Flores and Pedro Aquino, while the team can bank on Paolo Guerrero and Jefferson Farfán for the goals. But the team has to be led by André Carrillo. This is Carrillo’s opportunity to launch himself as a star, and he better take it, for both his and his country’s sake.

Denmark are the actual favourites among the three underdogs in this group. Behind the sticks is none other than Kasper Schmeichel, who is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. The defence has talented youngsters like Andreas Christensen and Simon Kjær, while the midfield is a blend of experience and youth. It consists of experienced players like William Kvist and Lasse Schöne, while it is led by Christian Eriksen. The forward line is relatively young, and extremely talented. Kasper Dolberg and Yussuf Poulsen are youngsters with lots of potential, while Nicolai Jørgensen and Nicklas Bendtner have already faced the pressure in the past.

But without doubt, France have the most number of stars in the group. All positions in the squad have none but stars. Hugo Lloris will man the goal, with Raphaël Varane and Samuel Umtiti as centre-backs, and Layvin Kurwaza and Djibril Sidibé as full-backs, in front of him. Paul Pogba will pull the strings in midfield, with N’Golo Kanté helping out the defence. Up front, Alexandre Lacazette, Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé can strike fear in the hearts of opposition defence.

France is a potential winner of the World Cup, and they will take first take place without doubt. On the other hand, it remains to be seen who takes second place.

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