For fans who love to see goals, Group F is the group for you.
Usual suspects Germany are clinical in front of goal and have players who are able convert even the slightest of chances. Mexico have bags of flair and pace, Sweden play their best football in the final third, whilst South Korea's Son Heung-min is one of the most underrated attacking threats in world football.
With so much goal-scoring potential, survival in Group F will come down to whose defences cope the best.
Germany's recent record at the World Cup is staggering. Not only are they aiming for back-to-back titles in Russia, but if they secure a top three finish, they would extend their record of most consecutive finishes in the top three to five.
Yep, Germany have finished in the top three for the last four World Cups.
So much of this recent success is down to mastermind coach Joachim Low, who has managed the German national team since 2006.
Low has a remarkable 66% win rate, which is all the more incredible when you consider that the remaining 34% has its fair share of draws amongst the losses.
Perhaps Low's most underrated achievement came last year, when he won the Confederations Cup- the traditional lead-up tournament to the World Cup- with a youthful and inexperienced squad.
Low deliberately left Germany's best players out and still managed to win.
Strengths & Weaknesses
In a team with so many strengths, perhaps the biggest is the squad depth and young talent that is interspersed around the so-called German 'spine' of Bayern Munich.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, centre backs Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, and versatile forward Thomas Muller would all rank among the top players in the world.
The combination of this familiar foundation with Germany's rising stars will be a force to be reckoned with in Russia.
It's hard to draw out a weakness, but if there was one it would ironically be the youth in Germany's squad. While formidable, this current German team hasn't reached its peak yet, and is not quite of the same stature as their 2014 World Cup-winning team.
Best Player
Toni Kroos was originally considered by the German football fraternity as the natural successor to Bastian Schweinsteiger. However, since his move to and subsequent domination at Real Madrid, Kroos has ensured that he will be remembered in his own right.
A central midfielder who has every string in his bow, Kroos is the archetype of a complete midfielder.
Player to Watch
RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner is still only 22 years old, but one of the favourites to win the Golden Boot. That fact speaks volumes about his ability.
Lightning-fast and clinical in front of goal, Werner will look to spearhead Germany's attack in Russia.
"No team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962"
Betting Tip
Germany to win all three group matches @ $2.90. Expect the experienced Germans to make light work of their group F opponents.
Mexico: Round of 16 specialists ready to take next step
To say that Mexico are a consistent side at the World Cup is an understatement. At the past six World Cups, Mexico have been eliminated in the Round of 16.
Depending on how you look at it, this is either a spectacular achievement or a spectacular failure. What is certain is that it has been a bitter pill for Mexican fans to swallow.
Mexico's recent form has been impressive. Easily topping the CONCACAF Qualification pool as well as making it to the Semi-Finals in the Confederations Cup (where they were knocked out by Germany), bodes well for another crack at the quarters.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Mexico are a well-balanced side, with several high-quality players and excellent team chemistry. A solid and composed defensive platform laid by the likes of Hector Moreno and Miguel Layun allows all of El Tri's flair in the midfield and final third to dazzle.
While they have a selection of high-class players, Mexico just lack one or two absolute stars to elevate them to the next level. This has also been the reason that Mexico have failed to reach the Quarter-Finals despite all their Round of 16 berths.
Best Player
One of Mexico's rocks in defence, Hector Moreno may not be the Mexican's most exciting player, but he certainly gets the job done.
The Real Sociedad centre-back performs all his defensive duties with diligence, whilst also providing a composure and calmness on the ball.
Player to Watch
Hirving Lozano or 'Chucky' to his legions of Mexican fans, typifies Mexico's style. Bursting with energy, quick, skilful and often cutting in from the left to shoot on his right, Lozano has been lighting it up for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league.
While stepping up to World Cup level won't be child's play, Chucky has all the attributes to succeed.
"Mexico's last 9 appearances at the World Cup have resulted in 8 qualifications from the group stage"
Betting Tip
Mexico to qualify from the group stage @ $1.85. Their record at past World Cups coupled with their recent form suggest that the Mexicans will finish in second behind Germany.
Sweden: Life after Zlatan
Since Zlatan Ibrahimovic's retirement from the Swedish national team, the Swedes have improved rather than falling away as many expected.
This was most evident in qualifying, where they pipped the Netherlands to second spot behind France in their group, before causing another sensation by knocking out Italy in the playoffs.
This huge upset meant that the Azzurri would miss out on their first World Cup since 1958, when by sheer coincidence the tournament was held in Sweden.
Despite missing Zlatan, Sweden's squad is full of experience. They will need to draw on every bit of that experience if they have any chance of escaping this group.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Sweden's best weapon is their efficiency in the attacking third. The combination between Emil Forsberg and Marcus Berg is particularly fruitful and will be where Sweden's goals will come from in Russia.
Even though Zlatan's departure from the team looks to have been a blessing in disguise, Sweden just lack that star name that the team can look to in the big moments.
Best Player
Sweden's undeniable shining light is Emil Forsberg, who has been at the heart of everything good at Sweden and club side RB Leipzig in the past two seasons. Forsberg is equally capable at assisting as well as scoring, and relishes playing in a traditional number 10 role.
Player to Watch
Young centre back Victor Lindelof has had huge wraps on him for years and after impressing with Portuguese giants Benfica, he earnt a transfer to Manchester United.
He is yet to establish himself in the United team however and will be determined to make a statement to club manager Jose Mourinho in Russia.
"Sweden have only been eliminated at the Group Stage in 3 of their 11 appearances at World Cups"
Betting Tip
Sweden to exit at group stage @ $1.60. Despite their impressive qualification run, it's hard to see the Swedes beating the likes of Germany and Mexico.
South Korea: Sonaldo set to shine
South Korea will be competing in their 9th consecutive World Cup in Russia, with home fans dreaming for a repeat of their semi-final appearance in 2002.
While The Reds have a good squad, their chances of getting out of the group rest squarely on the shoulders of fan favourite and talisman Son Heung-min.
Dubbed 'Sonaldo' for his attacking prowess and similarities with Ronaldo's two-footed shooting style, Son is a national hero in his home country.
His profile will only rise if he can navigate his nation out of the group stage.
Strengths & Weaknesses
South Korea's experience and quality in midfield is their underrated strength. Ki Sung-yueng (Swansea City), Lee Chung-yong (Crystal Palace), and Koo Ja-cheol (Augsburg) are all 29 years old and play in top European leagues.
With plenty of defensive solidity, as well as excellent technical abilities, this trio know each other's games inside out and shouldn't be underestimated in the centre of the park.
It's the Reds' defence and quality goal keeping that lets them down. With all of South Korea's back four and keeper playing their club football in Asia, they won't be accustomed to the attacking quality that they will have to repel in Group F.
Best Player
No going past Tottenham Hotspur's Son, who alongside the likes of Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, still managed to score 12 goals and have 6 assists in the EPL this season.
With pace, skill and long-range shooting ability off either foot, don't be surprised if Son grabs the goal of the tournament award in Russia.
Player to Watch
Partnering Son in attack will be young and pacey striker Hwang Hee-chan. Playing his club football with Red Bull Salzburg who recently reached the semis of the Europa League, Hwang has plenty of big-game experience for such a young, Asian player.
If he can score at least once in Russia, he will have had a good tournament.
"South Korea have lost 55% of their 31 World Cup games"
Betting Tip
South Korea to score over 2.5 goals in the tournament. While it's hard to see them qualifying from the group, they are a team that can score plenty of goals.
Jun 07, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
Germany: Heavyweights primed for another crack 
Mexico: Round of 16 specialists ready to take next step
Sweden: Life after Zlatan
South Korea: Sonaldo set to shine 
