If any group had to be dubbed 'the Group of Death' at this year's World Cup, Group D would take the title. One top team always seems to stumble at the group stage, and Argentina could easily find themselves packing their bags early if they're not careful.
This group also features first time World Cup contenders Iceland, who became the smallest nation to qualify with a population barely exceeding 300,000. This is in stark contrast with Nigeria, whose population of 195 million will witness their beloved Super Eagles face Argentina in the group stage for their fourth World Cup in a row.
Croatia and their midfield prowess could emerge as the silent assassins in the Group of Death.
Regarded by most as the greatest footballer of all time, Lionel Messi is already idolised by his home fans. This adoration was only enhanced when he scored a hat-trick on the last day of South American qualifying to take Argentina to the 2018 World Cup.
If Messi leads his nation to glory in Russia, you can be sure that Diego Maradona's legacy will be eclipsed, and Lionel Messi will be crowned the new King of Argentina.
However, Messi and Argentina have to first shed their 'chokers' tag, which has plagued them in recent major tournaments. Runners-up to Germany in the 2014 World Cup, Argentina have also remarkably finished second in four of the last five Copa Americas, with Messi yet to win anything significant in his national shirt.
This shapes as his last realistic chance to go out on a high and be remembered as an Argentinian, not a Barcelona player.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Argentina's quality in the final third is unparalleled by any football team on the planet. With the finishing ability of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and others, Argentina should be scoring goals for fun. However, for whatever reason, it hasn't always gone that way.
Argentinian strikers, and particularly Higuain, have choked in big moments and failed to reproduce their outstanding club form on the national stage. Time to make amends.
The weakness of La Albiceleste is undoubtedly what goes on between the ears. Having all the talent in the world and yet always coming up short has become a real issue. In an ageing squad, this is arguably the final opportunity for this Argentinian team to fulfil their potential.
Best Player
It could be nobody else. Leo Messi is Argentina's all-time leading goal-scorer, five-time Ballon d'Or winner and a freak of nature.
With the ball seemingly magnetised to his feet, and the ability to slip through passes and slide the ball into any corner of the net with geometrical precision, Messi is a paragon of footballing greatness.
Player to Watch
In an experienced squad, Giovani Lo Celso stands out as one of Argentina's rising stars.
A central midfielder who recently broke into Paris Saint Germain's starting eleven, Lo Celso, like a typical Argentine, is technically gifted, skilful, and a crisp passer of the ball.
"In South American qualifying, Argentina only scored 19 goals with only Bolivia scoring fewer with 16. Brazil were the highest scorers with 41 goals."
Betting Tip
Argentina to be eliminated during the group stage @ $5. Controversial, but worth a small pop at those odds.
This tough group poses a genuine danger to Argentina. If the sky blue and white continue to struggle in front of goal, they could even find themselves facing an early plane ride back to Buenos Aires.
Iceland: The minnows of all minnows
With a population of just 334,000, Iceland are the smallest nation to ever qualify for the FIFA World Cup. To put that into proportion, the population of Tasmania is 515,000.
To say that Iceland are the minnows at this year's World Cup is a gross understatement.
The Nordic nation didn't just scrape through in qualification, but topped arguably the toughest group in Europe.
The success of the current generation of Icelandic players- who also reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016- is a testament to the superb infrastructure and coaching overseen by the Football Association of Iceland, in a country that is so cold that playing football outdoors for most of the year is a serious hazard.
The Icelandic fans are sure to bring atmosphere to Group D, with their Viking Clap one of the highlights of Euro 2016.
Strengths & Weaknesses
While they lack the star names of Group D rivals, Iceland's team unity, organisation and determination will stand them in good stead for each match. In competitive matches, Iceland have an outstanding record in the past three years, most evident in the Euros where they beat England 2-1 to progress to the quarters.
Unfortunately for Iceland, their team spirit will only take them so far, with their lack of quality particularly in defence, likely to be exposed at some stage.
Best Player
Everton attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson shapes as Iceland's most potent attacking force. Despite not hitting the heights for the Toffees that he did while at Swansea, Sigurdsson is an agile, creative and long-range goal threat who will be at the centre at everything positive for Iceland.
Player to Watch
20-year-old winger Albert Gudmundsson has already scored 3 goals from 4 national caps.
Remarkably (or perhaps not so in a country so small), Gudmundsson's great-grandfather and namesake Albert Gudmundsson was Iceland's first professional footballer, playing for the likes of Arsenal and A.C. Milan.
The younger Gudmundsson has plenty to live up to, but looks to have the quality, demonstrated by the fact that he plays his club football with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven.
"In their only major tournament in history (Euro 2016), Iceland progressed to the quarterfinals where they suffered their first defeat of the tournament, a 5-2 loss to France"
Betting Tip
Iceland to finish bottom of their group @ $2.20. Whilst Iceland will be in their games for a long way, they just lack the extra quality to qualify from this group.
Croatia: Quality to come to the fore?
With all their best players at the perfect age and a good mix of younger talent pushing through, Croatia's World Cup chances are looking promising.
Luka Modric of Real Madrid and Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic will put their La Liga rivalry aside and come together to drive Croatia's prospects from the midfield. If these two stars can perform at their best, Croatia will be a force to be reckoned with in Russia.
Like in European qualifying, Croatia once again find themselves in the same group as Iceland. The Slavs will be looking to turn the table on the Nordics, who topped the qualifying group with 22 points, with Croatia a close second with 20 points.
However, just like Iceland, Croatia's fans are among the most passionate in the whole tournament and will be sure to make plenty of noise in the Russian grandstands.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Croatia's undoubted strength is the amount of individual brilliance and quality in their squad.
As well as the elite passing ability of Modric and Rakitic, forwards like Mario Mandzukic, Nikola Kalinic and Ivan Perisic who all play their club football in the Italian Serie A, can be damaging in the final third. If it all comes together, Croatia have plenty of goals in them.
However, like Argentina, Croatia don't seem to score as many goals as they should. This puts pressure on their defence, which albeit experienced and capable of repelling most attacks, doesn't have the individual quality of Croatia's midfield and attack.
Best Player
It's hard to go past Croatia's captain and midfield maestro Modric, who is at the top of his game at Real Madrid. The ex-Tottenham man is the perfect balance between agile and creative, but also industrious and gritty in the centre of the park. Also a genuine goal threat, Modric will be hard to keep down in Russia.
Player to Watch
One of Croatia's burgeoning talents, Marko Pjaca is sure to be an attacking weapon for years to come. A gifted winger capable of playing on either flank, Pjaca is currently on loan at Schalke from Juventus.
He will be looking to have a strong World Cup in the national shirt, earning a recall to The Old Lady's squad in the process.
"At Euro 2016, Croatia topped their group that included Spain, and were only knocked out by eventual champions Portugal in extra time."
Betting Tip
Croatia to top their group @ $3. In a group that's tough to call, Croatia's midfield might just prove the difference and their effort in the group stages at Euro 2016 must be respected.
Nigeria: Rivalry resumes with Argentina
Of the six World Cups that Nigeria have qualified for, they have been drawn in the same group as Argentina five times. This remarkable World Cup rivalry will witness its latest instalment in Russia, where the young talent of the Super Eagles will fancy their chances against Messi and Co.
At the last World Cup in Brazil, Nigeria made it past the group stage and despite being drawn in a tougher group this year, there is no reason why they can't progress into the Round of 16 again.
Unlike Iceland's relatively miniscule population, Nigeria have 195 million home fans behind them which might just give them the drive to overcome their opponents in Group D.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Nigeria's young squad is brimming with emerging talent as well as established Premier League quality. Players like Arsenal's Alex Iwobi, Leicester City's Wilfried Ndidi and talented defender William Troost-Ekong shouldn't be underestimated.
With Super Eagles' captain and former Chelsea player John Obi Mikel providing experience and leadership for the team around him, Nigeria are looking like a complete side.
Just as the Super Eagles' strength is their young talent, it may also prove their downfall. With a lack of big-game experience, you feel Nigeria's current generation are just a few more years away from reaching their full potential and developing the win-at-all-costs mindset that is required to go far in a tournament like the World Cup.
Best Player
Under Antonio Conte at Chelsea, Victor Moses has vastly improved as a player and is now the biggest weapon in Nigeria's arsenal.
Quick, intelligent and capable of tracking back and helping out in defence, Moses can part opposition defenders with his incisive runs and finish goals in a trice.
Player to Watch
Perhaps the most promising of Nigeria's rising stars, Kelechi Iheanacho developed as a player at Manchester City before linking up with national team mate Wilfried Ndidi at Leicester in a search for more regular football.
Iheanacho is tall, skilful, fast and a decisive finisher. It's no surprise that he has already scored 8 goals from 14 national caps, at a return better than a goal every two games.
"When Nigeria last played Argentina in late 2017, the Super Eagles won 4-2"
Betting Tip
Nigeria to qualify from the group @ $3.25. Considering the fact that Nigeria progressed past the group stage in Brazil in 2014 and that they comfortably beat Argentina last November, the $3.25 offered for Nigeria to qualify from the group is mouth-watering. If you are brave, take the $10 for the Super Eagles to top the group.
May 29, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
Argentina: Can Messi become the GOAT?
Iceland: The minnows of all minnows 
Croatia: Quality to come to the fore?
Nigeria: Rivalry resumes with Argentina
