Well here we are on the final day of group competition in the 2018 World Cup and what a tournament it has been to this point.
Upsets, controversies and penalties galore have kept us all engrossed over the first two weeks.
Sadly, things move very quickly from here and before we know it, a champion will be crowned.
Tonight sees Groups G and H do battle. Poland have the chance to play spoiler with a win against Japan and Colombia will be looking to force their way into the top two with a win against Senegal. That match has the potential to be one the most exciting of the entire Cup. Group H has delivered in spades.
Group G was one of two groups lacking drama entering the final day of matches. By kick-off, both England and Belgium will know the results of group H and be motivated by who they may prefer to play in the round of sixteen.
Realistically, neither will fear their next opponent and a continuation of good form might be a better approach.
Hopefully Panama and Tunisia put on a heck of a show for the fans in the other Group G match.
Be sure to enter your tips below and have your say. It has been a tipping nightmare to some extent yet there are still twenty matches remaining and more than enough time to mount a late comeback.
Here’s how the panel sees Group G and H panning out.
Stuart Thomas
Poland, Colombia, draw, Tunisia
Poland have nothing but pride for which to play and they will be hurt by their performances to date. I think they can win and dent the chances of the Japanese if Colombia beat Senegal; which I think, might just happen.
I called England for the quarter-finals weeks’ back and I still stand by the prediction. Belgium have done nothing to turn me off their play either. I’m seeing a 2-2 draw based purely on the fact that I cannot decide and with Harry Kane as my golden boot prediction, a brace would serve me well. Unless he is rested of course.
On form, Tunisia should beat Panama convincingly yet with two of the also-rans in action, this really could be anything. A seven-goal thriller.
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Mike Tuckerman
Japan, draw, Tunisia, Belgium
I tipped Poland as a tournament dark horse, so no surprise to see them enduring a wretched campaign. They’ve still got the players to hurt a team like Japan, but the Samurai Blue have so much more to play for. Japan in a tight one.
Japan’s Takuma Asano ( The Yomiuri Shimbun via AP Images )
Senegal have been one of the tournament surprise packages, while Colombia simply tore Poland apart last time out. I suspect the Senegalese will prove a much tougher ask in this contest, which could end up finishing all square.
Panama are one of the worst teams I can remember ever seeing at a World Cup. They did well to keep England down to just six goals in their last game, and it was a delight to see them get on the scoresheet in the end. But they’ll be no match for Tunisia.
The battle of the big guns. On the one hand England’s two early wins will have given them plenty of confidence, but on the other hand they’ve played two of the worst teams in the tournament.
Belgium haven’t looked like world beaters either – big win over Tunisia notwithstanding – but they may just have enough quality to see off an England side that looks a bit soft around the edges.
Daniel Jeffrey
Colombia, Poland, Belgium, Tunisia
The last day of group-stage action gets underway with what should be a terrific encounter. Colombia bounced back from their opening loss with a commanding display against Poland, while Senegal’s attacking edge was compromised by their defensive deficiencies against Japan.
With Colombia needing a win to be sure of qualification, expect this one to be an up-and-down affair, one which I’ll tip the South Americans to win on the back of the James-Falcao combination in the final third.
Japan have been something of a surprise packet this tournament, performing admirably to go undefeated through two games. Poland, on the other hand, have been wretched to date, coupling defensive disorganisation with attacking impotence. But they’ll want to finish their campaign on a high note, and I’m expecting a virtuoso performance from Robert Lewandowski to provide just that.
At the end of Matchday 2, England and Belgium seemed to be the two most in-form teams, although it’s hard to read much into performances against two minnows. This will give us a far better indication of where both sides are at.
I’m expecting England to struggle with Belgium’s frightening attacking stocks and for the Red Devils to get a one or two-goal win. That said, I’m also keen to see top spot in Group G decided by the number of cards conceded by each side, so I won’t be too disappointed if this ends all square.
There’s nothing but pride up for grabs in the other Group G encounter, something Panama don’t have too much of after shipping six goals against England – although it was great to see them score their first ever World Cup goal against the Three Lions.
Still, I can’t see them leaving Russia with anything but three losses. Tunisia troubled Belgium despite being on the wrong end of a 5-2 score line, and they should sign off from Russia 2018 with a win.
Tim Palmer
Japan, Colombia, Tunisia, England
Japan were really quite impressive in how they repeatedly bounced back against Senegal, and have been much better than expected. That should continue against a really poor Poland team.
There is a case to be made for Senegal and Colombia, so I’m sitting squarely on the fence here, even though Colombia will probably shade. I think they might dominate, but struggle to score.
Panama versus Tunisia sees two poor teams competing to be the least poor team. Panama looked so bad against England in that first half you’d think Tunisia have enough to win this one.
Intriguingly, the last game might become more of a battle of the second string than an actual clash between two big teams. It seems like Belgium will ‘rest’ more of their bigger names, and I think England’s bench players might actually prove to be superior.
Can Harry Kane lead England to victory? (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Paul Nicholls
Japan, Colombia, Tunisia, England
Japan looked more impressive in their second match draw against Senegal than they did in their first up win over Colombia. They showed more confidence and Takashi Inui looks to be in great form. My only question mark is over goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima. Poland were close to abysmal against Senegal and I can’t see them getting near a confident Samurai Blue.
Senegal will have their hands full against a resurgent Colombia in Samara. There was a lot to like about their two performances so far; the fine goal by Moussa Wague against Japan showing how dangerous they can be.
Colombia returned to winning ways against Poland in one of the most polished performances of the World Cup so far. Their midfield combinations featuring Juan Cuadrado, Juan Quinterro and James Rodriguez were superb and should be able to get them the three points.
Sadio Mane in Senegal colours. (Photo: VI Images via Getty Images)
It is not often that supporters can go away smiling from a 1-6 defeat but Panama fans created some of the best scenes of the tournament after celebrating Felipe Baloy’s well taken goal against England. Unfortunately for Panama, they won’t trouble a slightly unlucky Tunisia who showed glimpses of class in both their matches so far.
For my money, England and Belgium are the two form teams of the tournament. Unfortunately, as it a completely dead rubber, both teams won’t be fielding their top sides. So if it comes to depth, England, with their wealth of Premier League talent, should come out on top although neither manager will be too concerned about the result.
Whatever the outcome, I expect one of these teams will make the final.
| Day 15 | Stuart | Mike | Daniel | Tim | Paul | The Crowd |
| JPN vs POL | POL | JPN | POL | JPN | JPN | JPN |
| SEN vs COL | COL | DRAW | COL | COL | COL | COL |
| PAN vs TUN | TUN | TUN | TUN | TUN | TUN | TUN |
| ENG vs BEL | DRAW | BEL | BEL | ENG | ENG | ENG |
| Previous Total | 16 | 18 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 21 |
| Day 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| New Total | 17 | 19 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 22 |
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