If there is a group of death in the World Cup, it is probably Group E. Two former World Cup champions, Spain and Germany, are paired with two usual underdog favorites: Japan and Costa Rica.
You might remember that incredible Costa Rica campaign in 2014 when ‘Los Ticos’ surprised everyone by going all the way to the quarter-finals. They managed to top a group that included three former World Champions: England, Italy, and Uruguay.
And they were only stopped in a penalty shootout against the Netherlands. A lesson to never write any team off in the World Cup, because there is always a story of an overachiever that exceeds everyone’s expectations.
Japan is also a tricky opponent for the heavyweights in this group to face. They have always qualified for the World Cup since 1998, making the round of 16 three times. Unfortunately, they have never gone further than that, but they are always a fun team to watch.
Meanwhile, 2014 winners Germany and 2010 winners Spain are not as favorites as they were in past years but they are always teams that everyone wants to avoid.
Spain is coached by Luis Enrique and boosts a new generation of midfielders that is filling the boots of Xavi and Iniesta, while Germany is always a pragmatic team, finding the back of the net without too much effort.
So, who are the favorites in Group E? Let’s find out.
Odds to win the group according to ClutchBuzz:
Spain -120
Germany +110
Japan +1200
Costa Rica +5000
Costa Rica will join Spain, Germany and Japan in Group E!
The team that will top the group is _________ 🤔 pic.twitter.com/bloG441wXI
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
QATAR WORLD CUP 2022 GROUP E CALENDAR:
23 November 2022: Germany – Japan
23 November 2022: Spain – Costa Rica
27 November 2022: Japan – Costa Rica
27 November 2022: Spain – Germany
1 December 2022: Japan – Spain
1 December 2022: Costa Rica – Germany
SPAIN
World Cup champions in 2010, Spain has been through a rollercoaster of emotions in the last few years. In 2014 they did not get past the group stage, even being humiliated by Netherlands 5-1.
Then in 2018 they again disappointed, losing in a penalty shootout against hosts Russia. They did get a positive Euro 2020 campaign, only missing the final also in a penalty shootout versus eventual winners Italy.
“La Roja” is a team known for their tiki-taka style of play, currently coached by former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique. They finished first in their qualification group with 6 victories, 1 draw, and 1 defeat to qualify for the world cup.
Despite not being among the top favorites right now, Spain is never a team to sleep on. They recently showed that by defeating their neighbors Portugal, to advance to the 2022 UEFA Nations League final four.
Luis Enrique will rely on young players like Pedri (FC Barcelona), Gavi (FC Barcelona), and some experienced ones, like Rodri (Manchester City) and captain Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona).
ClutchBuzz odds price them as the favorites to win the group at -120.
Spain Possible World Cup Starting 11:
Coach: Luis Enrique
Final Squad: Will Be Announced On November 11
COSTA RICA
Costa Rica, the most successful national soccer team from Central America, is unquestionably the outsider in this group E.
The inter-confederation playoffs allowed Costa Rica to qualify for their sixth World Cup after beating New Zealand 1-0. They were the last country to qualify for this year’s tournament.
‘Los Ticos’ is a team with tradition in soccer and they do have 2 very known players, such as the captain and star goalkeeper Keylor Navas (PSG) and ex-Arsenal player, Joel Campbell (Leon).
Bryan Ruiz is also a familiar face and at age 37 he is going to captain his national side in his last World Cup. Ruiz plays now in the Costarrican league, at Alajuelense, but he has a career that had memorable spells in Fulham, Sporting CP, and PSV Eindhoven.
Competing in a group containing Germany and Spain will be very difficult for Costa Rica. Their team is quite aged and they do not boost many young talents, besides Brandon Aguilera (who plays for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League) and 18 year old Jewison Bennette (currently at Sunderland, in the English Second Division).
ClutchBuzz odds price them to win the group at +5000.
Costa Rica Possible World Cup Starting 11:
Coach: Luis Fernando Suárez
Costa Rica Full World Cup Squad:
The final squad of Costa Rica was announced on November 3rd, 2022.
GERMANY
Germany has won four World Cups and three European Championships, making it without a doubt one of the most successful national teams in international competitions.
Additionally, they have finished second four times at World Cups and three times at the European Championships.
Germany will be playing in their 17th straight World Cup, giving them 20 appearances in 22.
The Mannschaft has been struggling after winning the World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the year of that legendary 7-1 triumph over the hosts, getting eliminated in the group stage of the next World Cup, in 2018 in Russia.
Germany’s decision to hire former Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick came after also a very disappointing Euro 2020.
Following nine wins and one loss in the group round of the qualifying round, Flick was able to qualify Germany as the first team for the 2022 World Cup.
For captain Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich) and goalie Neuer (Bayern Munich), this should be their last World Cup.
The biggest confirmed absence is Timo Werner, now at RB Leipzig, who will miss the tournament due to injury.
ClutchBuzz odds price them as second favorites to win the group at +110.
Germany World Cup Possible Starting 11
Germany World Cup Squad:
Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Armel Bella Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Sule (Borussia Dortmund), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), C. Gunter (Freiburg).
Midfielders: Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Monchengladbach), Mario Gotze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Leon Goretza (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund)
JAPAN
With this being their eighth World Cup appearance in a row and several knockout stage trips under their belt, Japan has truly established itself as one of the most successful teams in Asia.
Japan had an almost perfect qualification campaign to get to the World Cup, winning all 8 of their games and then winning 7, drawing 1 and losing 1 in the third round.
The Japanese will be the first team to arrive in Qatar. Maya Yoshida (Schalke 04) will be heading to his last World Cup, captaining the Samurais in this tournament.
Japan will count on players that have experience in elite clubs in Europe, like Tomiyasu (Arsenal), Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt), Morita (Sporting), and Minamino (Monaco).
ClutchBuzz odds price them to win the group at +1200.
Japan World Cup Possible Starting 11
Coach: Hajime Moriyasu
JAPAN WORLD CUP SQUAD
The Japanese final squad was announced on November 4th. Initially, Yuta Nakayama was called to the midfield, but due to injury coach Moriyasu was forced to call Shuto Machino instead.
FINAL THOUGHTS
According to ClutchBuzz’s prediction, Spain will top the group, with Germany finishing in second place.
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