After seven comprehensive breakdowns of Groups A to G, including our “Group of Death” Group G preview, and the “other Group of Death” Group D preview, we complete our group-heavy World Cup preview series with Group H. Belgium leads the cast of teams in this group, along with Russia, South Korea, and Algeria.
After a strong qualifying campaign, Belgium finds itself as the favorite to emerge as the top team from a relatively light group, which also has Russia, South Korea, and Algeria. The Russians have the best shot of joining Belgium in the next round, but can South Korea provide the shock in this group and be the second team to gain entry to the knockout phase?
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2014 World Cup Group H Preview and Predictions
Belgium
Looking to make a splash in its return to soccer’s big stage is Belgium, the overwhelming favorite to win Group H with a price of -150. Belgium did not qualify in the last two editions of the World Cup, but inexperience shouldn’t be any cause of concern for manager Marc Wilmots, at least in the first round.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]For one, Wilmots has at his disposal a host of young forwards with huge upside. Led by striker Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, scoring will not be a problem for Belgium. However, the man to watch for the Belgians is their captain and defender, Vincent Kompany. The former Premier League Player of the Season is considered as among the world’s best in his position, and his leadership and experience (57 caps) could be the glue that holds together this team that is teeming with potential.
Russia
For team Russia manager Fabio Capello, defense will be the key to success.
The Russians are making their return to the World Cup after failing to qualify in 2006 and 2010. Russia, priced +250 to win Group H, is coming off a strong showing in the qualifiers, where they finished top of their group, allowing just five goals in 10 games. The Russians also managed a draw with Brazil, the favorite to win the 2014 World Cup, in a friendly match back in 2013.
Notable players in the Russian side are goalie Igor Akinfeev (2013 Russian Premier League Player of the Year), Aleksander Kerzhakov (five goals in the qualifiers), and Alan Dzagoev, who tied for the most goals in Euro 2012.
Algeria
It would take a miracle of biblical proportions for Algeria to win the World Cup, as it owns the second longest odds of winning it all at +75,000. For manager Vahid Halilhodzic, advancing to the knockout stage could be considered a vast improvement and a major leap for Algerian football.
Grouped against strong nations like Belgium and Russia, the Fennec Foxes don’t have the offense to match against their group mates nor a defense that is formidable enough to hold down opposing attackers. The young trio of midfielders consisting of Sofiane Feghouli, Saphir Taider, and Islam Slimani, along with veteran defender Madjid Bougherra will spearhead the campaign of Algeria, who are priced at +2,600 to win the group.
South Korea
The South Koreans booked their eighth straight seat in the World Cup, but it did not come easy for the Taeguk Warriors. In the qualifiers, South Korea endured a loss to Lebanon and a couple of draws to lightweights Kuwait and Uzbekistan. The bumpy qualification ride resulted in the resignation of coach Choi Kang-Hee, who was then replaced by former player Hong Myung-Bo. Myung-Bo is best known for leading the charge of the South Koreans in the 2002 World Cup, when the country reached its best finish of fourth place.
Myung-Bo will look to rub off some of that success to his troops, who will be led by highly touted striker Son Heung-Min. Son has made quite a noise in Germany, where he scored 12 goals for Hamburg before being signed by Bayer Leverkusen of the Bundesliga. The South Koreans are +600 to win the group.
Key Game – Belgium vs. Russia (June 22)
No game in Group H is bigger than the matchup between Belgium and Russia. Belgium would be the favorite to win this match, but the Russians are very much capable of steamrolling the Belgians. After all, they have beaten Portugal in the qualifiers to earn a trip to Brazil.
Writer’s Prediction
Arguably the easiest group to predict, Group H will be represented by Belgium and Russia in the knockout phase.
