One-time World Cup winners France lead the chase in Group E, with les Bleus hoping to make amends for the 2010 tournament when they crashed out in the group stage. Playing without Franck Ribery but with some of world s most talented footballers, Didier Deschamps side are rightly considered group favourites.
The up-and-coming Switzerland side aim to at least get past the group stage after the triumph over soon-to-be champions Spain did not prove sufficient to reach the knockout stages last time out. Taking part at the World Cup for the third time, Ecuador and Honduras will be out to spring a surprise or two and try to upset the odds and qualify for the Last 16 stage.
Winners of Group E
France have come a long way since the Raymond Domenech reign that ended up costing them dearly and they appear on the road back to glory. In Pogba, Griezmann, Varane and Mangala, les Bleus have some of world s hottest prospects among their ranks, while the remainder of the team boast considerable experience at the highest level.
And even if the absence of Franck Ribery can be considered a major blow, Didier Deschamps charges have proved they arrive at the tournament in good form and confident mood. While Switzerland and Ecuador could prove to be difficult opponents, we fully expect France to shine from the very start and secure the first place in Group E with relative ease.
Best Odds to Win Group E
Didier Deschamps seems to have found the perfect balance between youth and experience and with the team also possessing considerable strength in depth, les Bleus look a very good bet to qualify from the top of Group E.
To Qualify from Group E
While France could qualify for the next stage even before the final group game against Ecuador, it looks as though Switzerland and La Tri will be vying for the second place in the group. Ecuador did impress at the 2006 tournament, but they have been on a downtrend of late, with the lack of an in-form striker in the squad and injury to key midfielder Segundo Castillo likely to damage their chances of reaching the Last 16 phase.
Meanwhile, Switzerland boast a very talented team that also seem to possess a good team spirit, while the presence of Ottmar Hitzfeld, one of world s most recognized coaches, is likely to come in handy. The Swiss have been incredibly consistent over the last couple of years and this tournament could be a perfect chance to record a historic result.
Best Odds To Qualify from Group E
Switzerland have plenty of world-class talent in their ranks, but the likes of Ricardo Rodriguez, Xherdan Shaqiri and Josip Drmic are expected to prove crucial to team s hopes of reaching the final stages. Having said that, France and Switzerland appear to be a safe bet to progress from the group stage.
Group E Match Betting Tips
In-form Switzerland certainly appear to be the favourites in their opening match against Ecuador, but since their opponents are a quality side and well accustomed to adverse weather conditions in South America, backing the Swiss to win their final group fixture against Honduras seems like a much better idea. Everything suggests La Bicolor will have been already eliminated by then, but even if that should not be the case, Ottmer Hitzfeld s charges should have more than enough quality and experience to win the game and probably secure their place in the knockout rounds.
Group E Team to Concede Most Goals
Considering they are the weakest side in the group and that Switzerland, Ecuador and especially France tend to score quite a few goals, Honduras could have problems keeping the results at a respectable level. Having conceded no less than 14 goals in six international friendlies leading up to the tournament finals, backing La Bicolor to concede most goals in Group E is a real no-brainer, especially since the odds are attractive enough.
Both Teams to Score Match Tips
If we are searching for the Group E game likely to produce plenty of goals and that is just perfect for the both teams to score market, then we cannot look past final group fixture between Ecuador and France. Chances are one or both sides will need a win to go through and by that time both teams will probably have found their form after a traditionally slow start. And while Ecuador may not have world-class attackers in their ranks like les Bleus, they have proved to be very dangerous on the break as witnessed by the 2-2 friendly draw with England.
