Group E Predictions 2022

This group promises to be one of the most fiercely contested groups at the World Cup thanks largely to the two European royalties, Spain and Germany. The challenge posed by Costa Rica and Japan however is not to be dismissed completely. Costa Rica made it to the World Cup as Intercontinental playoff winners, having beaten New Zealand to make it through. Japan’s credentials on the other hand are boosted by making it to the Asia Cup final in 2019.

Spain

Spain are yet to replicate the golden generation’s exploits from 2008 to 2012. Their qualifying campaign did not look like it would be plain sailing at the beginning. After a draw with Greece and a loss to Sweden, many thought they’d end up as runners-up. However, they claimed passage to their 12th straight World Cup on the final matchday.

Morata, now 29 years of age was the top scorer. A number of bright prospects bode well for the future with players such as Pedri, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati all expected to be central to any success. The relative troubles of Barcelona, one could argue, also plays a part in the national team’s fortunes. Manchester City duo Laporte and Rodri, as well as Barca youngster Pedri would be key to any challenge they will mount. Under Luis Enrique, Spain have been a little more direct than their tiki-taka days but as long as the results keep coming all is fine. Spain are currently 5th favourites so anything above a semi-final finish would be good given the current expectations.

Germany

The sooner Germany forget about their dismal 2018 World Cup run, the better. For the first time in almost two decades, Die Mannschaft head into an international tournament without coach Joachim Low in the dugout. The highlight was no doubt the 2014 World Cup win, in which the thrashing of hosts Brazil 7-1, will live long in the memory of many football fans. Disappointment followed in the next iteration however and Hansi Flick would be eager to make amends.

The qualifying campaign was almost flawless, losing just once to North Macedonia which was the first qualifying home loss in twenty years. The squad is still in a process of transition with the manager ushering out the old guard. As such this competition might have come a bit too soon, especially considering that Germany will host the 2024 Euros. That being said, some bright young talents such as Kai Havertz and Serge Gnabry are yet to fully arrive on the biggest stage. Kimmich is extremely valuable in the squad: both as a leader on the pitch and his versatility. Much is expected from this German team and anything less than a semi-final would be considered a disappointment.

Japan

Japan are becoming one of the teams that consistently qualify for the World Cup and they have done so with ease. They breezed through the first round and claimed second place in the next stage. Just because they made it to the World Cup finals doesn’t mean that they have had amazing runs. They have alternated between exiting a World Cup in the group stage and the Round of 16 since their non-stop participation starting in 1998. It seems very likely that the pattern will continue as they would have to get the better of the two European giants.

The Japanese squad do have a tendency of being the dark horse but that might be a step too far this time around. The squad usually has a good balance between defence and attack but lacks the toughness in the middle of the pitch. Their preparations have gone well, beating Australia to qualify automatically from the AFC region.

The top two seem to be a foregone conclusion and as such one can’t pick a group-defining match for the Samurai Blue. Their hope would be to snatch points from Spain and Germany and be perfect against Costa Rica. Japan is more a collection of team players than stand-out stars. However, all eyes would be on Takumi Minamino who moved to Monaco from Liverpool. Kamada, playing for Frankfurt was also instrumental in qualifying while Tomiyasu is impressing for Arsenal and will hope to carry that form to the international stage.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s exploits in the World Cup of 2014 will go down in their history books. Pitted in the group of death against the likes of Uruguay, Italy and England they managed to go through, all the way to the quarter-finals.

If they manage to do the same here it would be as good an achievement. Especially since the squad is not as strong this time around. Former Arsenal striker Joel Campell will have to rise to the occasion as all hopes seem to be pinned on him. After all, he was the one who scored the decisive goal against New Zealand in the qualifiers and he may yet have more goals up his sleeve. The odds claim that you could bank on a 4th place finish for the Costa Ricans but we’re happy to be surprised.

Conclusion

At the World Cup draw in April, Group E managed to grab quite a lot of attention. It is only understandable with Spain and Germany paired in the same four-team league. It’s evident that the two of them stand a class apart from the rest and the group might come to how many goals they score against Costa Rica and Japan.

Naturally, the biggest game of the group is the one between Spain and Germany, scheduled for the 2nd Matchday on the 27th of November. It won’t come as a shock if both teams just defend solidly for the duration of the 90 minutes resulting in a goalless draw. However, that might not be the case as the teams look beyond to the Round of 16.

Belgium are very likely to be Group F winners and that would mean a contest against the 2nd placed team in Group E. Surely, both Spain and Germany would want to avoid Belgium so early in the competition but then again, Croatia, likely to place 2nd in Group F are no push-overs either.

Due to the UEFA’s Nations League, the head-to-head history between Spain and Germany had some recent additions to it. Not least the 6-0 drubbing the Spaniards inflicted in 2020. The last time they met in the World Cup was in the semi-finals in South Africa in 2010 in which Spain prevailed 1-0 and then they went on to win the cup. Japan and Costa Rica would be hopeful that Germany would falter just as they did in 2018 to be able to get out of the groups and while that is not impossible it is absolutely vital that they claim a win against Costa Rica.