Russia 2018 Preview - Group F

A very good Sunday morning, LOBers - I'm back to profile what is surely Russia 2018's "Group of Death." Group F:

Germany - Group F is presided over by the current World Champions Germany. Joachim Loew's side are once again presumptive favorites. And yet, one only has to look at what happened to 2010 winners Spain in a similar group in 2014 to understand the peril that faces Germany in this group. Ease up a tiny bit or have a slow start and there are easily two other teams that could send Germany home early. Loew has raised eyebrows by continuing with out of form stars such as Thomas Mueller over younger options such as Manchester City's Leroy Sane, who has been left out of the squad. Still, it's Germany, eh? Surely, even if they're not firing on all cylinders, they have the tournament mentality to make it out of this group.

Mexico - After years of jockeying for superiority in CONCACAF with the U.S., Mexico established their stamp on the qualifying earlier on this cycle. Juan Carlos Osorio has also chosen to go with experience, recalling the likes of 39 year-old Rafael Marquez for a fourth World Cup. On paper, Mexico don't look that impressive, with several of their starters (e.g., Carlos Vela, Gio Dos Santos) plying their trade in the MLS. However, there is something about pulling on the Mexican colors that transforms players such as Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez, who looks distinctly ordinary leading the line for West Ham but has a 1 in 2 strike rate for El Tri. All of this means that Mexico will be competitive in this group.

Sweden - Sweden are in Russia this summer because they knocked out to big European powers in qualifying, first edging out the Netherlands in Group A - UEFA's "Group of Death" this time around, and then shockingly beating Italy over two playoff legs in November. For the last decade, Sweden have been dominated by the outsized personality of one Zlatan Ibrahimovic. So who are they now that Zlatan has hung up his international boots? Certainly less swashbuckling and spectacular. However, without the shackle of having to play to the whims of their superstar striker, Janne Anderson's side may be a bit more cohesive. They've got both experience in the guise of co-captains Anders Granqvist and Sebby Larsson, as well as some youth. Their opener with South Korea will be telling.

South Korea - South Korea come to Russia 2018 having qualifying second to Iran in their group. That record would seemingly make the Koreans the least favored team in this group. However, they should be underestimated at everyone's peril. As always, this South Korean team contains 7 or 8 players you've never heard of who will run all day and then some, along with 2 or 3 ringers such as Tottenham's Son Heung-Min and Augsburg schemer Koo Ja-Cheoi who are the match-winners. All of that means that Korea are more than capable of causing a shock in this group.

Predictions - It's very difficult to handicap this group, but here it is: Germany to top the group after a scare or two. Mexico to edge out both Sweden and South Korea but only just. That's a guess but who would bet against Germany placing second and setting up a titanic Round of 16 clash between Brazil and Germany? Wow!