Group G sees European heavyweights Belgium and England try to avoid another repeat of an underwhelming World Cup display, which fans of the Red Devils and Three Lions have been all too familiar with in recent tournaments.
World Cup debutants Panama and the defensive solidity of Tunisia will both sit deep and be hard to break down, so another World Cup disaster for Belgium or England isn't off the cards.
If you were a manager and could have your choice of any squad at the World Cup, you'd surely settle on Belgium. The talent, ability and depth in Belgium's squad is phenomenal.
With multiple stars in each position, coach Roberto Martinez needs to bring it all together and earn Belgium their first major piece of silverware.
In the past, the Red Devils have fostered a reputation for themselves as chokers in big tournaments. For whatever reason, the Belgians have never been able to translate their strength on paper onto genuine success on the field, with Quarter-Final eliminations in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euros both seen as a massive underachievements.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Belgium's irrefutable strength is their all-round positional power.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defender Jan Vertonghen, midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, and striker Romelu Lukaku are all among the best players in the world for their position. These names alone should have the Red Devils reaching the last four.
But just as Belgium are a team of stars, they are yet to become a star team. Their mental fragility in big tournaments like the World Cup has been well documented.
In their twelve World Cup appearances, the Belgians have only made the semi-finals once, and that was back in 1986.
To claim their first major trophy, Belgium must once and for all cast aside their chokers tag.
Best Player
Kevin De Bruyne's form for Manchester City in the past two seasons has been so good that he is widely considered as the third best player in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo. A passing genius, De Bruyne also has one of the most fierce long-range shots in the world of football.
If Belgium make the final, KDB is a lay down misere to win the Golden Ball as player of the tournament.
Player to Watch
Previously regarded as one of Europe's 'wonderkids', Youri Tielemans has had a solid first season for Monaco after lighting it up as a teenager at Anderlecht.
The 21-year-old midfielder is well on the way to becoming a complete player.
If he is currently pushing the likes of Mousa Dembele and Axel Witsel for starts in Belgium's first eleven, you know he must be good.
"In European Qualifying, Belgium top scored with Germany on 43 goals."
Betting Tip
Belgium to reach the Semi-Finals @ $3.25. On talent alone, this looks more than achievable.
Panama: Not just a canal
In the small nation famous for its canal that bisects the country as well as North and South America, the population of four million were overjoyed when their Panamanian national team qualified for their first ever World Cup last year.
A national holiday was called, such was the importance of the minnow nation's presence on the world's biggest team sporting stage.
Panama were easily the surprise stories of qualification. On the final day of qualification, their last-gasp victory over Costa Rica did enough for them to qualify and knock out North American heavyweights U.S.A in the process.
However, while it has been an unprecedented achievement by Los Canaleros to get to Russia, only divine intervention would see them escape the group stage.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Panama's strength is their... well... strength. A very physical and athletic team, Panama will be sure to sit deep and try to outmuscle their opponents in every contest.
This tall, strong outfit will pose the greatest attacking threat from set pieces.
A glaring shortcoming in Panama's side is their lack of World Cup-level individual quality. Aside from a few players who play in the MLS, most of Panama's players would be unheard of outside of their home and surrounding nations. The benefit of this is that the Panamanians have the capacity to surprise.
Best Player
Panama's talisman is their tall and imposing centre back Roman Torres, who plays his club football with the Seattle Sounders. As well as being a rock in defence, Torres is a genuine attacking threat from set pieces, as he will look to tower over the opposition.
Player to Watch
Young right back Michael Amir Murillo will have his work cut out for him as he defends the likes of Eden Hazard and Raheem Sterling. However, the athletic and promising talent who is part of New York Red Bulls' set-up is capable of stopping them in their tracks. This tournament might just be the making of Murillo.
"Panama are the only team to qualify for a World Cup with a negative goal differential in the final round of qualification."
Betting Tip
Roman Torres to be Panama's top goal scorer @ $23. Coming into their first World Cup as heavy underdogs, you can be sure that Los Canaleros will have more than just Panamanian support behind them. Because of Torres' set-piece threat, the $23 on offer is the value bet of the group stages.
Tunisia: Rounding out the North African contingent in Russia
Along with Morocco and Egypt, Tunisia are the third North African side at this year's World Cup in what is a great achievement for the region.
Tunisia have a proud World Cup history and at the 1978 edition, defeated Mexico 3-1 to become the first African side to win a World Cup match.
Since the appointment of former Tunisian player Nabil Maaloul as head coach in April 2017, Tunisia have been undefeated, winning five games and drawing three.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Tunisia's superb defensive organisation and solidity will mean that even the likes of England and Belgium won't find it easy to score against them. Players like Leicester City's Yohan Benalouane and national team mainstay Ali Maaloul are just two of Tunisia's swathe of competent defensive players.
With healthy competition, Tunisia's defenders will be on their toes when playing in their national shirt.
As is so often the case with defence-orientated teams, it is Tunisia's attack that is their weakness. Despite having some good quality and skilful players, Tunisia will struggle to score in Russia.
Best Player
The main man of Tunisia's attack, Wahbi Khazri, is a highly versatile forward who can play anywhere along the front line or in any attacking midfield position.
Perhaps best suited as a number 10, Khazri is just as adept at setting up goals as putting them away himself. With Premier League experience under his belt, Khazri currently plays in Ligue 1 with Rennes and will be key to Tunisia's goal-scoring chances.
Player to Watch
20-year-old Bassem Srafi is a live wire with great pace and dribbling skills. A genuine winger, Srafi also plays his club football in the French top division with Nice.
Whether he starts or comes off the bench, Srafi will energise Tunisia's attack.
"In their last 30 matches, Tunisia have only once conceded more than 2 goals"
Betting Tip
Tunisia to score under 2.5 goals in Russia @ $1.68. Despite their defensive quality, Tunisia won't outscore Belgium or England. With a definite lack of goals in them, this looks the smartest bet.
England: Another World Cup disappointment?
Since making it to the Semi-Finals in the 1990 World Cup, England have failed to impress on the world's biggest football stage, despite having several high-class players at their disposal.
Like Group G rivals Belgium, if one word could sum up England's World Cup campaigns in recent tournaments, it would be chokers.
Coach Gareth Southgate and his youthful squad have the chance to make amends in Russia. England breezed through qualifications, and despite being frequently criticized for being dour and ugly on the eye, they have been able to grind out wins when it matters.
Strengths & Weaknesses
The Three Lions' best asset is that a high proportion of their squad are young, high-quality players with Premier League experience.
While players like Trent-Alexander Arnold, Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be at their first World Cup, they have the big-game experience to succeed on the biggest stage of all.
A glaring weakness of England is their complete lack of any creativity, especially in midfield. The closest thing England have to a ball-playing midfielder is Dele Alli, whose game is more about making runs beyond the striker and into the box.
If England create goals, it will most likely come from the left and right back positions where they have plenty of depth.
Best Player
If young England captain and main man Harry Kane can reproduce his goal-scoring brilliance from club side Tottenham Hotspur, England could go on a run all the way to the final.
However, it's not just his goal scoring ability that has English fans dreaming of what could be. His tireless work rate, speed, hold-up play and assisting ability make him a complete striker, and a leader from the front.
Player to Watch
Although he'll play second fiddle to Kane in attack, Marcus Rashford has all the talent to outscore his captain in Russia.
The Manchester United rising star is still only 20-years-old and is surely destined to become one of Europe's elite attackers.
With rapid pace and superb ball control, Rashford needs to add ruthlessness to his game to further his development.
"During European qualification, England had the equal best defensive record along with Spain, only conceding 3 goals"
Betting Tip
Harry Kane to win the golden boot @ $15. Barring a catastrophe, England will qualify from the group.
If they do make a run, Kane will be at the forefront, so take the juicy $15 offered for Harry Kane to win the golden boot as top goal scorer.
Jun 13, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
Belgium: Time to cash in on squad quality
Panama: Not just a canal
Tunisia: Rounding out the North African contingent in Russia 
England: Another World Cup disappointment?
