THERE'S always a Group of Death and this year it's quite aptly Group D featuring Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland.
Let's start with favourites Argentina and once again Lionel Messi will be looking to add the greatest prize to his collection.
He's often been the bridesmaid with his country and team-mates simply can't set him up in forward areas the way his Barcelona pals do.
Argentina struggled through qualifying until Messi worked his magic against Ecuador. They say there are no easy games at the finals and while that's not strictly true there are unlikely to be any in Group D with Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland all capable.
Messi's men will hope to bank five or six points and rely on the others beating each other and tipping who'll go through with the South Americans isn't easy.
Croatia are second seeds and have some brilliant performers such as Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic. They should have enough quality to finish second but like France there are sometimes factions and in Russia everyone will need to be united.
Nigeria are a young side with some top players and their main problem could be keeping sides out. Alex Iwobi, Kelechi Iheanacho, John Obi Mikel and Wilfried Ndidi are their star turns and I expect them to give all their opponents trouble.
Iceland were the bottom seeds everyone wanted to avoid after their performance at Euro 2016 was followed by a first World Cup qualification.
Gylfi Sigurdsson is their star turn but they rely more on teamwork and set-pieces and often score fron long throws and corners. It's not pretty but it's pretty effective.
Recommended Bets
- Iceland to bt Nigeria (9-5, BetStars)
- Nigeria to finish bottom (8-5, Black Type)
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Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Strange, very strange indeed. Nigeria double chance against Iceland
Couldn’t get a more diverse cultural game.
Nigeria from Africa and Iceland.
Could be the fire and ice derby !!