World Cup 2018: Group E Preview

Brazil haven't appeared in a World Cup Final since winning in 2002. A healthy Neymar may just lead them back to the promised land.

Brazil

FIFA Rank: #2

Qualified as: 1st Place in CONMEBOL

The Skinny

Brazil are perennial favorites in the World Cup. It comes with the territory when you've won a record 5 times, and annually boast some of the World's top talent. However, it's been one of the driest spells in recent history for the Seleção: since winning the Jules Rimet trophy 16 years ago, they were eliminated in two consecutive quarterfinal rounds, and of course 4 years ago, suffered THAT semifinal loss on their home turf. Provided the Seleção (and star player Neymar in particular) can stay healthy this time around, this may be Brazil's best chance at returning to glory; there's enviable amounts of talent in attack, but experience and skill at the back to match.

The Best XI

I'm not sure whether Liverpool's Roberto Firmino will get the starting nod in Russia, but he should. And no, this isn't Red Bias speaking either; young Firmino is Brazil's best (only?) pure striker, and having him absorb attention in the middle will allow Neymar and Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus to work their magic behind him. In the middle, Firmino's former teammate Coutinho spearheads an offensive midfield, which also sees Real Madrid and Man City mainstays Casemiro and Fernandinho. Marcelo and Thiago Silva have long commanded Brazil's back line and things will be no different this year. Other than that, Brazil have one of the most intriguing goalie competitions in the tournament, with two young future stars as options: Man City's Ederson and AS Roma's Alisson. From what I've watched of the two, my personal pick would be Ederson, but with 25 more caps, Alisson seems to be the first choice going in. Who am I to argue with manager Tite's judgement?

Switzerland

FIFA Rank: #6

Qualified as: 2nd Place of UEFA Group B, winners of playoff vs. Northern Ireland

The Skinny

Probably the coolest fact about the Swiss football team is that, due to their multiple official languages, they have an official nickname in French, German, and Italian. Other than that, La Nati are, and always have been, a fairly straightforward team. Die Schweizer Nati are always tactically sound in defense (once breaking the World Cup record for minutes played without conceding a goal), and talented in attack. Their highs are never too high, and their lows never too low; as a result, their results typically fluctuate between narrowly missing the knockout stages and reaching the quarterfinals. Don't expect things to be too different for Squadra nazionale this time around.

The Best XI

Switzerland will likely feature Benfica's Haris Seferović up top, supported by young Schalke star Breel Embolo and "the Swiss Messi," Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss also have a nice veteran presence in midfield (Granit Xhaka of Arsenal, Udinese's Valon Behrami, Frankfurt's Gelson Fernandes), defense (Milan's Ricardo Rodríguez and Juventus' Stephan Lichtsteiner) and keeper Yann Sommer, of Mönchengladbach.

Costa Rica

FIFA Rank: #23

Qualified as: 2nd place in CONCACAF

The Skinny

Costa Rica stunned the world 4 years ago, when they topped the Group of Death by beating out Uruguay, Italy, and England. They shocked them further by advancing to the quarterfinals, and nearly the semis, losing only in penalties to the Netherlands. In the years since, Los Ticos have proven their performance in Brazil was no fluke by being consistently one of the best in North America. Their star is the starting goalkeeper for 3-time defending European champions Real Madrid, but they've also been consistently tough in midfield, and tactically tight in both attack and defense. They'll be a tough out once more in Russia.

The Best XI

Costa Rica's lineup would probably be best served by this 5-3-2 formation. Keylor Navas will of course start in goal, and in this case would have 3 veterans in Jhonny Acosta, Giancarlo González and Óscar Duarte barricading space in front of him. Out wide, Sunderland's Bryan Oviedo, and Celtic's Cristian Gamboa would reinforce both the defense and bolster the attack with fullback play. Speaking of attack, MLS stud Rodney Wallace could support captain Bryan Ruíz of Sporting Lisbon and oft-loaned Arsenal man Joel Campbell.

Serbia

FIFA Rank: #34

Qualified as: Winners of UEFA Group D

The Skinny

Serbia reached their 2nd World Cup as an independent nation on the back of a qualification conquest that saw them beat out tough groupmates Ireland, Austria, and Wales. The Eagles got consistent results, losing only one match, but did not necessarily have a consistent style. They were involved in 3-2 victories as much as they were in 1-0 victories, for example. As a result, it is difficult to project just how they will perform at the World Cup, but they have the makeup-- thanks in no small part to the key figures from Serbia's 2015 u-20 World Champions --of being able to compete with the rest of this group.

The Best XI

Serbia's Best XI is spread across the European leagues, but there are some recognizable names at nearly every position. Up top, Newcastle's Aleksandar Mitrović, who led Serbia in goals during qualifying, will helm the attack. He will be supported by Southampton winger Dušan Tadić, a target for many bigger Premier League clubs. Speaking of the Premier League, there's a trifecta in midfield. Marko Grujicć may not see the field often for Liverpool, but he was a vital cog in the aforementioned u20 team, and he'll replicate that role alongside Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojević and of course, Manchester United man Nemanja Matić. In the defense, there are two more names familiar to Premier League fans: Chelsea great Branislav Ivanovic, and captain Aleksander Kolarov, currently of Roma but previously of Manchester City.

Group Prediction

This is now the second group (yes, that makes two straight) where I truly believe any team could finish in any position in this group. Admittedly, I'd be shocked if Brazil didn't progress, but given their recent history, and the overall toughness of this group, who knows? I think valid arguments could be made for and valid expectations could be had of any of these other teams being the 2nd to progress from Group E. I nearly picked Costa Rica to progress for the 2nd straight tournament. But ultimately, I think it will come down to a last day in which every team could still finish 2nd; on that last day, I expect Brazil to take care of Serbia, and Switzerland's talent to be too much for Costa Rica.