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France
MANAGER: Didier Deschamps
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Topped a group of Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kazakhstan with five wins and three draws. Antoine Griezmann led the scoring charts with six, ahead of Kylian Mbappe who bagged five.
KEY MAN: Kylian Mbappe
ONE TO WATCH: Karim Benzema
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: Four of the last five World Cup holders have failed to make it out of the group at the next edition and France have typically been slow starters. But with the star quality they have, many are expecting another deep run in a favourable draw towards the semi-finals where Brazil could be waiting. It is unlikely they will be underdogs in any match and have the squad depth to go all the way.
TRADER TIPS: France to Finish second in Group D.
Australia
MANAGER: Graham Arnold
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Struggled in the group stage with only four wins from 10 games but edged through a dramatic playoff penalty shootout against Peru with sub keeper Andrew Redmayne the hero in sudden death.
KEY MAN: Aaron Mooy
ONE TO WATCH: Awer Mabil
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: It’s difficult to imagine the Aussies won’t concede several against France in the opener, but Tunisia in their second is a game they need to target and if Australia show a willingness to attack they could get the win and set up a shot at Last 16 qualification against Denmark. That said, the Euro 2020 semi-finalists are no pushovers, and should be able manage the fixture comfortably
TRADER TIPS: Australia to Score 0 goals in the tournament.
Denmark
MANAGER: Kasper Hjulmand
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Comfortably finished top of their qualification group ahead of nearest challengers Scotland. Wing-back Joakim Maehle and forward Andreas Olsen finished as Denmark’s joint top-scorers with five goals each.
KEY MAN: Christian Eriksen
ONE TO WATCH: Joakim Maehle
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: Tunisia and Australia should be easily beaten, with the game against France on matchday two likely to determine who wins the group – and the Danes did the double over Les Blues in the recent Nations League campaign. Should they win again, Poland could lie in wait before a potential Euro 2020 rematch against England in the quarterfinals. They’ve enough quality to get revenge there, but the semi-finals could prove to be the end of the road again.
TRADER TIPS: Team top scorer – Joakim Maehle.
Tunisia
MANAGER: Jalel Kadri
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Beat Mali 1-0 over two legs to reach their sixth World Cup in a tie characteristic of their defensive tactics that may suit a group and knockout tournament in the humid climate of Qatar.
KEY MAN: Ellyes Skhiri
ONE TO WATCH: Wahbi Khazri
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: Their sole objective will be to qualify through the group for the first time, and the weather and fixture list may just play into their hands. Most of their squad play in either North Africa or the Middle East in conditions similar to Qatar, and if they can take a point off Denmark in the opener, a win against Australia could be enough to reach the Last 16.
TRADER TIPS: Tunisia to qualify grom Group D.
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