The final group at this year's World Cup shapes up as the most even, with the progression of any combination of teams within the realms of possibility.
At his first World Cup, Polish marksman Robert Lewandowski will be shooting at goal at every opportunity, looking to spearhead his team and win the golden boot simultaneously.
Like Lewandowski, Colombia's James Rodriguez will be key if Los Cafeteros are to replicate their 2014 World Cup performance.
Senegal's supreme physicality and pace will be a definite danger. It will be fascinating to see how they match up against group rivals, particularly polar opposites Japan who are known for their technical and incisive passing skills.
Poland make their return to the World Cup after a two-tournament absence, where they will be looking to repeat their Semi-Finals appearances in 1974 and 1982.
With Poland's captain and arguably greatest ever player Robert Lewandowksi leading the line, the White and Reds have a great chance to escape what is a very open group.
With a current FIFA Ranking of 10, the Poles shouldn't be underestimated. A Quarter-Finals appearance at Euro 2016, where they were eliminated on penalties to eventual champions Portugal, demonstrates that Poland are a deserved top 10 team.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Poland's goal-scoring threat is their greatest asset. With experienced and skilful wingers Kamil Grosicki and Jakub Blaszczykowski feeding the ball into the likes of Arkadiusz Milik and Lewandowski, Poland should face no difficulties in finding the back of the net in Russia.
Despite having the likes of seasoned campaigners and capable defenders Kamil Glik and Lukasz Piszczek, Poland's defence can be leaky and is their biggest weakness. The White and Reds just lack the defensive solidity of other teams and may find themselves exposed against pacey attackers.
Best Player
Definitely Lewandowski, who on his day is the deadliest striker in world football. The numbers back up this claim, with the Bayern Munich star top-scoring in European Qualification with 16 goals, and also racking up 52 goals in 93 national-team appearances.
This will be Lewandowski's first World Cup, and he will be relishing the opportunity of not only leading his team, but securing the Golden Boot.
Player to Watch
Playing his club football for Sampdoria in Serie A, Karol Linetty is one of Poland's rising stars.
A midfielder with a low centre of gravity, Linetty is technically gifted and a tenacious player. He will be looking to break into Poland's experienced midfield and realise his potential in Russia.
"Poland have scored at least 2 goals in 10 of their last 15 games"
Betting Tip:
Poland to top Group H @ $2.70. In an open group, expect Lewandowski's class to prove the difference.
Senegal: Stacks of individual quality
In their only previous World Cup appearance (2002), Senegal made it all the way to the Quarter Finals. With arguably an even better team heading into Russia, the sky is the limit for the talented Senegalese.
Senegal's current crop of players has many pundits hailing it as a golden generation. With the majority of Senegal's squad playing their club football across Europe's top leagues, the Lions of Teranga have plenty of big-game experience and will look to be roaring in Russia.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Senegal are a physically imposing and athletic outfit; a perfect blend of strength and speed. With the toughness and tackling prowess of Everton's Idrissa Gueye, West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate and Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly, no team will outmuscle Senegal in the scrap.
With the rapid pace of Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Monaco's Keita Balde, the Lions of Tarenga will easily out-pace opposing defenders when going forward.
Senegal's weakness is their lack of a creative presence in the midfield, with the absence of a player who can unlock opposing defences with pinpoint passes. Senegal relish playing on the counterattack, and so they may struggle for goals against any side that decides to sit deep in defence.
Best Player
Just pipping Koulibaly for best player is winger Sadio Mane, who scored ten goals and laid off seven assists in a hugely successful season with EPL giants Liverpool. With seriously dangerous pace and a thunderous shot on goal, opposition defenders will be wary of the threat that Mane poses.
Player to Watch
A player who shares Mane's speed and talent in front of goal is M'Baye Niang. After struggling to establish a regular team place for AC Milan, Niang has been loaned out to several clubs, most recently to Torino where he has excelled.
With untapped talent, Niang will be looking to help Senegal go on another run to the quarters and perhaps beyond.
"Senegal have conceded 2 or more goals in only 3 of their last 28 games"
Betting Tip
Senegal to qualify from the group @ $2.20. With their individual talent and previous World Cup record, this is great value.
Colombia: Rodriguez aiming to repeat magic
After a three-tournament absence, Colombia returned to the World Cup in 2014 where they surprised many and made it all the way to the Quarter-Finals.
This best-ever World Cup performance was largely owing to youngster James Rodriguez, whose six goals from the midfield earnt him a transfer to Real Madrid in the aftermath of the tournament.
With an experienced squad coming into this year's competition in Russia, Los Cafeteros will be looking to not only repeat their performance from four years ago but improve on it. Colombia's passionate fans are sure to be willing their national team on, desperate to finish higher than their South American rivals.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Colombia's ability in the attacking third means that any team they come up against will need to be on their toes. Radamel Falcao and Carlos Bacca are both fantastic strikers, while James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado are classy players who are equally adept at providing a killer pass or scoring themselves.
If this attack clicks, Colombia will be a force to be reckoned with.
What could weigh Colombia down at this year's tournament is the expectation from their home fans to at least repeat their Quarter-Finals effort from Brazil.
Rodriguez in particular has massive pressure on his shoulders to repeat the magic he displayed in 2014. If he has an off day and isn't pulling all the strings, it's hard to see Colombia matching their performance from four years ago.
Best Player
Undoubtedly Rodriguez, or more commonly 'James', who is more than capable of producing moments of sorcery with his left boot.
His volley-goal in Brazil was awarded goal of the tournament, where he also won the golden boot for most goals.
Despite being inconsistent with Real Madrid and then Bayern Munich, James has all the quality to take Colombia far.
Player to Watch
At just 21 years of age, Tottenham centre back Davinson Sanchez has had a superb first season with his new club. Calm and assured on the ball, Sanchez is athletic, agile and a reliable defender despite his young age.
By keeping Belgian teammate Toby Alderweireld out of the Spurs first team, you know that Sanchez has to be a quality player.
"6 of Colombia's last 11 games have resulted in draws"
Betting Tip
Colombia to be eliminated at the group stages @ $2.80. Like Argentina, there's a definite sense that Colombia's attack can fall flat, despite the calibre of players. While this is a risk, the value makes it worthwhile.
Japan: The Blue Samurai aiming to put group rivals to the sword
Japan will contest their sixth consecutive World Cup in Russia, a fantastic achievement by any measure of success.
In the most evenly matched group, Japan also represent Asia's best chance to escape the group stages and progress to the Round of 16.
With Japan's core group of players another four years older, this shapes as the last realistic chance for the Blue Samurai to have a successful World Cup with their current generation.
In a region where football is growing rapidly, Japan will have plenty of national fan support behind them, with a number of Japanese natives sure to make the journey to Russia.
Strengths & Weaknesses
The strength that pundits never fail to recognise in Japan is their superb technical ability. Not especially blessed with great height or speed, Japan's passing accuracy and ball control is among the best in the world.
What's more is that the Samurai Blue function well as a collective unit, making up for their lack of genuine star players.
Japan's most telling weakness is that their best players are over the hill in terms of peak football ability. Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Okazaki have all been national team mainstays for a long time and will need to produce career-best football if Japan are to qualify from the group.
Best Player
Shinji Kagawa is Japan's focal point in attack, and the key to Japan's chances in Russia.
Borussia Dortmund, an ex-Manchester United attacking midfielder, is technically superb, full of guile, and more than capable of getting on the score sheet.
He has scored 29 goals from 90 national appearances, which is an excellent record for a midfielder.
Player to Watch
In a squad largely devoid of up and coming talent, 25-year old striker Yoshinori Muto shapes as Japan's player to watch.
The Mainz man is quick as well as a smart finisher off either foot. He will need to take every opportunity to find the back of the net in Russia to give his team the best chance of progressing.
"Japan's goal differential during AFC qualifying was +37, the best of any Asian team"
Betting Tip
Japan to finish bottom of Group H @ $2.25. If any Asian team progresses to the Round of 16, it'll be Japan. However, their chances are still slim at best and will need a considerable amount of luck to progress.
Jun 13, 2018 12:57 PM
AAP
Poland: Lewandowski to lead from the front
Senegal: Stacks of individual quality
Colombia: Rodriguez aiming to repeat magic 
Japan: The Blue Samurai aiming to put group rivals to the sword
