The fight is not yet over in the World Cup 2018.
While there are already a number of teams that have secured their tickets to the Round of 16, plenty of spots are still up for grabs heading to the final stretch of group stage games.
However, as teams fight for survival or for the top spot in their respective groups, there are several scenarios and permutations that could well decide who will move on to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Today, SBOBET provides you with a group-by-group update and what every team needs to do to make the cut.
GROUP A
Current team standings: Russia (1), Uruguay (2), Egypt (3), Saudi Arabia (4)
With six points each, Russia and Uruguay are already assured of the top two spots and a place in the knockout rounds. Uruguay can claim no.1 by beating Russia in their final game, while the Russians can defend their place with just a draw.
Both Egypt and Saudi Arabia are mathematically out of contention, regardless of the result of their match this Monday.
GROUP B
Current team standings: Spain (1), Portugal (2), Iran (3), Morocco (4)
Both Spain and Portugal can guarantee their place with a win or tie against their final group stage opponents. A defeat, though, will put them on a perilous situation of totally missing out.
Iran will qualify if they win over Portugal. However, if they play out a draw, they need Morocco to beat Spain by at least two goals. If La Furia Roja lose by just one goal, Iran must finish ahead of the 2010 champions on goal tally.
As we pointed in our World Cup 2018 predictions, Spain and Portugal are a cut above the rest in this group and it’s unlikely they’ll get eliminated this early.
GROUP C
Current team standings: France (1), Denmark (2), Australia (3), Peru (4)
After eliminating Peru, France are all but secured of a Round of 16 berth. Denmark, on the other hand, must at least play a draw with the Frenchmen to ensure they won’t go home early.
If Australia win against Peru—and I think they will—they could topple Denmark should the Danes lose and concede more than two goals to Les Bleus.
GROUP D
Current team standings: Croatia (1), Nigeria (2), Iceland (3), Argentina (4)
Only Croatia have qualified to the next round, so the second place in this Group of Death is still a wide-open race.
Argentina, who were expected to top the group, are currently at the bottom of the standings. Nonetheless, they could make the huge leap to second if they win over Nigeria and Iceland fail to take down Croatia.
If Iceland reign victorious over the Croats, goal difference will decide the fate of both the Icemen and the Argentines.
Nigeria will grab second with a win, while a tie would put them in quite a danger especially if the Icelanders defeat Croatia.
GROUP E
Current team standings: Brazil (1), Switzerland (2), Serbia (3), Costa Rica (4)
Anyone among Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia can still get eliminated. Put simply, the losers of Matchday 3 will be sent home packing!
A tie for Brazil and the Swiss will also put them through, while the Serbs are up for the tough task of fending off Neymar and Co. Serbia can also survive with just a stalemate, but in order to do so, they have to pray for the unlikely event of Costa Rica stunning Switzerland by no less than a two-goal margin.
GROUP F
Current team standings: Mexico (1), Germany (2), Sweden (3), South Korea (4)
Amazingly, every team in Group F have a chance to qualify!
With six points after two wins, Mexico can top the group with a draw with Sweden. Nevertheless, if both the Swedes and Germans win, there will be a three-way tie from first to third—which will be decided on goal difference or their goal tally.
Meanwhile, another three-way tie (from 2nd to fourth) could develop should both Sweden and Germany lose.
In the event that both games end in a dead heat, South Korea will be eliminated while Germany and Sweden will be down to tiebreakers.
GROUP G
Current team standings: Belgium (1), England (2), Panama (3), Tunisia (4)
The Red Devils are likely on their way to the do-or-die stages after the latest World Cup 2018 results that saw them thrash Tunisia.
With still two games to play, England can complete the job with victory over Panama. After that, they can vie for the top spot (and better seeding) with Belgium in the final group stage week.
Panama can’t afford to lose against the Three Lions if they are to salvage any hope of survival, but it might just be an exercise in futility considering the difference in quality that the two teams have shown so far.
GROUP H
Current team standings: Japan (1), Senegal (2), Poland (3), Colombia (4)
Each team in this group has only played one game so far, so it depends on the Matchday 2 results how Group H will shape up heading to the final week of this phase.
The winner of the Japan-Senegal match will qualify if the Poland-Colombia game ends up in a draw. Meanwhile, if Japan and Senegal share the spoils, the loser of the other match will be eliminated.
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