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Portugal
MANAGER: Jorge Santos
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Only needed a final day home draw to secure top spot, but blew it by losing to Serbia. Recovered to put Turkey and North Macedonia to the sword in the playoffs.
KEY MAN: Cristiano Ronaldo
ONE TO WATCH: Rafael Leao
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TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: Would expect themselves to top the group, and then tackle Serbia or Switzerland in the Last 16. Anything less than a quarter-final appearance would be considered a disappointment. Despite his diminishing returns at club level, Ronaldo can still come alive when it matters and don’t bet against him bagging three or four goals. Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva are other standout names
TRADER TIPS: Portugal to Beat Ghana & South Korea both to Nil.
Ghana
MANAGER: Otto Addo
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Made it through the group stages on goals scored ahead of South Africa before pipping Nigeria in the playoffs on away goals.
KEY MAN: Thomas Partey
ONE TO WATCH: Mohammed Kudus
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: This group throws up the chance to gain revenge against Uruguay from Luis Suarez’s handball antics in 2010, and they’ve a chance of edging through ahead of the South Americans. If they are to do so, Arsenal enforcer Partey will have to play a massive role. He’ll certainly be the first name on the team sheet. They have plenty of other Premier League experience in their squad too, which could help in keeping South Korea’s Son Heung-min quiet.
TRADER TIPS: Ghana to Beat South Korea.
Uruguay
MANAGER: Diego Alonso
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Finished third in the South America section after winning their last four matches, conceding just once.
KEY MAN: Rodrigo Bentancur
ONE TO WATCH: Darwin Nunez
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: Will fancy their chances of reaching the knockouts with Ghana and South Korea both nations they have the edge over. Uruguay could well finish above Portugal too if all goes to plan. Assuming it’s second-place, Brazil would lie in wait in the Last 16, and you’d struggle to see them progressing from there. Liverpool front man Nunez may have other ideas, though, as will Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. Suarez and Edinson Cavani provide bundles of experience in the camp.
TRADER TIPS: Uruguay to Win Group H.
South Korea
MANAGER: Paulo Bento
QUALIFICATION RECORD: Finished a point behind Iran and 11 points clear of third placed UAE to reach their 10th consecutive World Cup finals.
KEY MAN: Son Heung-min
ONE TO WATCH: Woo-Yeong Jeong
TOURNAMENT PROSPECTS: Getting through a tough group would be considered a success. They have it in them to cause an upset, so it’s certainly not a foregone conclusion they won’t progress. To stand a chance they’d need to take points off Portugal or Uruguay and get a win over Ghana. Brazil would likely stop any charge through the tournament in the Last 16 should they get there. Son will be the focal point of the team and behind any success they have.
TRADER TIPS: Stage of Elimination – Last 16.
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