Germany and Spain are the 2 clear-cut favorites in World Cup Group E, however Japan and Costa Rica can be pushing for an upset within the top-heavy group.
4-time World Cup winners Germany can be aiming for a serious bounce again in Qatar following an embarrassing exit within the 2018 group stage. Hansi Flick takes over for the departed Joachim Low, retaining a number of key veterans within the squad. Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, and Ilkay Gundogan headline a German squad that may consider they will edge Spain to the highest spot.
Spain has had Germany’s quantity in recent times, thumping Germany 6-0 in 2020 Nations League play. Luis Enrique’s squad stays among the many contenders to carry a second-ever World Cup trophy, additionally retaining key veteran figures within the squad. Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, and Koke carry ample expertise to the group, whereas Alvaro Morata headlines the assault.
Japan has alternated between the group stage and Spherical of 16 in every of the final six World Cups, with Hajime Moriyasu’s squad aiming for a knockout-round berth. Maya Yoshida and Yuto Nagatomo each have amassed over 100 caps for Japan and can be anchors to their backline.
Costa Rica is making its third consecutive look on the World Cup and can be hoping to spoil the social gathering in Group E. The Ticos superior to the finals through the Intercontinental playoffs, eliminating New Zealand within the course of. Bryan Ruiz, Keylor Navas, and Joel Campbell carry a wealth of expertise to the competitors.
Here’s a nearer take a look at Group E:
Schedule
Tuesday: Germany vs. Japan, Spain vs. Costa Rica
Saturday: Japan vs. Costa Rica, Spain vs. Germany
December 1: Costa Rica vs. Germany, Japan vs. Spain
Germany
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Joshua Kimmich, Youssoufa Moukoko, Antonio Rudiger.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: The four-time World Cup winners will attempt to keep away from an early exit in Qatar after being bounced from the group stage in 2018.
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ROSTER – Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Kevin Trapp.
Defenders: Matthias Ginter, Antonio Rudiger, Niklas Sule, Nico Schlotterbeck, Thilo Kehrer, David Raum, Lukas Klostermann, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Christian Gunter.
Midfielders: Ilkay Gundogan, Jonas Hofmann, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Thomas Muller, Julian Brandt, Mario Gotze.
Forwards: Kai Havertz, Youssoufa Moukoko, Niclas Fullkrug, Karim Adeyemi.
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OUTLOOK: Germany suffered a setback in 2018, however are again with a number of key veterans and a vengeance. The Germans have loads of World Cup winners on the squad and can depend on these gamers to edge Spain in Group E and make a deep run within the match. Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller, and Joshua Kimmish are all key to how Germany desires to play, and with the thrilling younger expertise of Jamal Musiala and Youssoufa Moukoko added into the squad, they may try to discover new methods to beat their opponents.
Spain
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Pedri, Sergi Busquets, Alvaro Morata
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Spain’s lone journey to the finals got here in 2010 with them leaving South Africa because the world’s greatest. A bunch stage exit in 2014 was adopted up by a Spherical of 16 berth in 2018.
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ROSTER – Goalkeepers: Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez, David Raya.
Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Cesar Azpilicueta, Eric Garcia, Hugo Guillamon, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Jordi Alba, Alex Balde.
Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Marcos Llorente, Pedri, Koke.
Forwards: Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Yeremi Pino, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Pablo Sarabia, Dani Olmo, Ansu Fati.
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OUTLOOK: Spain stays one of many high technically-gifted groups on this planet, however will want a powerful leading edge to outduel Germany in Group E. Alvaro Morata stays Spain’s key attacking menace with 27 targets whereas younger attacker Ferran Torres tries so as to add to his rising resume. Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba are two key veterans within the squad and can lead by instance by way of work charge and self-discipline.
Barcelona’s Pedri is a rising expertise in Europe and can now have his first style of World Cup motion this fall. Yeremy Pino and Nico Williams are two further younger skills that would play necessary roles because the competitors pushes ahead.
Japan
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Takumi Minamino, Maya Yoshida, Yuta Nagatomo.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Japan has reached the World Cup in its final six occasions of attempting. They’ve alternated between group stage and Spherical of 16 exits over the previous 24 years, reaching the Spherical of 16 in 2018.
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ROSTER – Goalkeepers: Shuichi Gonda, Daniel Schmidt, Eiji Kawashima.
Defenders: Miki Yamane, Hiroki Sakai, Maya Yoshida, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Shogo Taniguchi, Ko Itakura, Hiroki Ito, Yuto Nagatomo.
Midfielders: Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, Ao Tanaka, Gaku Shibasaki, Kaoru Mitoma, Daichi Kamada, Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo, Yuki Soma.
Forwards: Daizen Maeda, Takuma Asano, Shuto Machino, Ayase Ueda.
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OUTLOOK: Japan was a pressure in World Cup Qualifying, however will discover it powerful to get previous Germany and Spain with ease. The veteran management from Yoshida and Nagatomo can be necessary for Japan to remain sturdy defensively whereas creativity from Monaco’s Takumi Minamino can also be essential to being balanced.
The large query for Japan can be, who else can contribute targets? Solely Minamino and Yoshida have double-digit targets in worldwide competitors, placing plenty of stress on others to step up.
Costa Rica
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Keylor Naves, Bryan Ruiz, Joel Campbell.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY: Costa Rica has reached the World Cup for the third-consecutive time and their fifth total. The Ticos superior to the quarterfinal spherical in 2014 and can be in search of a powerful sendoff for a number of of their skilled veterans.
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ROSTER – Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Esteban Alvarado, Patrick Sequeira.
Defenders: Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Kendall Waston, Oscar Duarte, Daniel Chacon, Keysher Fuller, Carlos Martinez, Bryan Oviedo, Ronald Matarrita.
Midfielders: Yeltsin Tejeda, Celso Borges, Youstin Salas, Roan Wilson, Gerson Torres, Douglas Lopez, Jewison Bennette, Alvaro Zamora, Anthony Hernandez, Brandon Aguilera, Bryan Ruiz.
Forwards: Joel Campbell, Anthony Contreras, Johan Venegas.
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OUTLOOK: Costa Rica may not have sufficient total expertise to advance out of the group, however their dedication to one another might make them powerful to interrupt down. Keylor Navas has continued to play an necessary run in purpose for the Ticos and could possibly be compelled to face on his head as soon as once more. Joel Campbell, Celso Borges, and Bryan Ruiz all have 20+ worldwide targets to their identify and would be the go-to targets for the Ticos to get on the board.
SBI Predicted Order of End
1. Germany. Germany nonetheless have loads of key veterans within the squad, paired with thrilling younger expertise.
2. Spain. Spain would possibly move groups to dying, however will want constant scoring up high to edge Germany from No. 1.
3. Japan. The Asian powerhouse has the technical high quality to push the group favorites, and capitalize if one in every of them stumbles.
4. Costa Rica. The Concacaf facet has a slew of veteran expertise, however will discover it powerful towards Germany and Spain.
Who do you see topping the group? Assume Japan can pull a serious upset to succeed in the Spherical of 16?
Share your ideas beneath.