During the World Cup’s Group Stage, the field of 32 teams is divided into eight groups. These eight groups, labeled alphabetically A-H, conduct individual round-robin tournaments between the four teams. The top two teams from each group advance to the Knockout Stage.
How are World Cup Groups Determined
The groups are formed based on a number of variables including geographical criteria and random draws.
The four teams in each group are assigned a seeding. There are predetermined No. 1 seeds, which include the host country, but the remaining 2-4 seeds are placed into hierarchy by using the FIFA World Rankings and recent World Cup performances.
Each team in every group plays the other three teams once so that there is a total of six matches played in each group. Within the group tournament, teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.
The top two point-getters from the group advance to the Knockout State of the World Cup. In the event of a tie, there are multiple tiebreakers in place to determine which teams move on to the next round.
2018 FIFA World Cup Group D Odds
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will take place in Russia from June 14th, 2018, until July 15th, 2018, so here on GetMoreSports you can check out our betting tips and predictions for all four national soccer teams from the Group D – Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, and Nigeria.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins on June 14th, 2018, when the host nation Russia meets Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, while the best 32 national soccer teams from all over the world will fight for the FIFA World Cup Trophy. Distributed into eight groups with four teams per each group, everyone will play three games during the group phase against the other opponents in their group, while the top two from each group will qualify for the Round of 16 when the knock-out phase starts.
In this preview, we will take a closer look at all four sides in the Group D to see what can the bettors and soccer fans expect from them at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Likewise, by visiting the BetDSI Sportsbook they can find all odds for group winners and group phase games.
Group D Schedule
| Date | HOME | AWAY | 1 | X | 2 | O/U 2.5 Goals |
| 6/16/2018 | Argentina | Iceland | -275 | +350 | +800 | +120/-154 |
| 6/16/2018 | Croatia | Nigeria | -118 | +240 | +333 | +130/-167 |
| 6/21/2018 | Argentina | Croatia | -125 | +250 | +350 | +115/-150 |
| 6/22/2018 | Nigeria | Iceland | +187 | +190 | +170 | +135/-175 |
| 6/26/2018 | Nigeria | Argentina | +600 | +300 | -200 | -149/+115 |
| 6/26/2018 | Iceland | Croatia | +333 | +250 | -120 | +130/-167 |
FIFA World Cup Group D Odds Predictions
Argentina vs. Iceland Free Preview and Pick
Croatia vs. Nigeria Free Preview and Pick
FIFA World Cup Group D Team Previews and Players to Watch
ARGENTINA
The two-time World Cup champions from 1978 and 1986 and the current vice-champion from 2014 is coming to the 2018 World Cup in Russia as a big contender to win the trophy, as the bookmakers set Argentina as +187 favorite to at least reach the Semi-Finals. La Albinoceleste has plenty of talented guys among the squad, including one of the best soccer players ever Lionel Messi who earned a Golden Ball back in Brazil 2014. However, Argentina had a difficult time in the qualifying round, securing the World Cup spot in the ultimate game against Ecuador, while there are some rumors about bad chemistry in the team.
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly a key player in this Argentina team, but soccer is a team game where one exceptional individual is never enough to make a good result. Also, Messi needs a World Cup Trophy so he could say that he’s the greatest player of all time, which puts a huge pressure on his shoulders. Alongside Messi, La Albinoceleste has a lethal frontline, as Sergio Aguero and the youngster Paulo Dybala are both world-class forwards, but Argentina’s midfield could be a big issue, as there is no pure playmaker in the squad who can dictate the tempo. All in all, Argentina is a dangerous team who can achieve great things if it finds the right form this summer.
Head Coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Players to Watch: Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Nicolas Otamendi
Winner Odds: +900
Group D Odds: -180
Group Qualification Yes/No: -700/+450
CROATIA
The Blazers will be a part of the FIFA World Cup for the fifth time in their history, achieving the biggest success at their debut in France 1998 when Croatia finished at the third place after having a magnificent tournament. However, in the next four involvements at the biggest stage, the Blazers couldn’t reach the knock-out phase, recording only two wins in the process along with two draws and five defeats, truly disappointing their fans every single time. This year, the Blazers’ fans will dream of success once again, while the bookies set Croatia as a +225 favorite to reach the Quarter-Finals.
The playmaking duo Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic will be crucial for this Croatia team, as both these guys are world-class midfielders with an exceptional technique and passing skills, while the winger Ivan Perisic and the striker Mario Mandzukic will both be the biggest threat for oppositions’ defenders. Croatia prefers a short-passing style of play due to a sheer quality among their squad, but the defensive line could be a massive problem, as the centre-back duo Dejan Lovren – Domagoj Vida is quite prone to making mistakes, although bookmakers don’t expect to see more than two goals per each their game in the group stage.
Head Coach: Zlatko Dalic
Players to Watch: Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, Ivan Perisic
Winner Odds: +3300
Group D Odds: +225
Group Qualification Yes/No: -200/+150
ICELAND
Our Boys have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, but after reaching the Quarter-Finals at the previous European Championship in 2016, they are no more a surprise, and the opponents will have to take them seriously or they will end up on the losing side. Interestingly, Iceland has played alongside Croatia in the qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, recording a 1-0 victory at home, and a 2-0 defeat on the road, but finishing at the top of the table ahead of the Blazers. On the other hand, the bookmakers are skeptical about Our Boys’ chances in Russia, favoring them at +120 to finish on the bottom of the Group D table.
Iceland is a physically very strong team with a disciplined team defense, while their work rate is terrific. Counter-attacking is their main power offensively along with set pieces situations, but at this moment, there is one problem – Our Boys’ best player Gylfi Sigurdsson is recovering from a knee injury, and he’s still doubtful for the upcoming tournament. Sigurdsson is called up for Iceland’s 2018 World Cup squad, while his creativity, set pieces taking, and long-range shots are essential for Our Boys who are an average team without Gylfi, so the bettors should track injury updates along with eventual odds changes on BetDSI Sportsbook.
Head Coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson
Players to Watch: Gylfi Sigurdsson, Johann Gudmundsson, Alfred Finnbogason
Winner Odds: +20000
Group D Odds: +1000
Group Qualification Yes/No: +275/-400
NIGERIA
Super Eagles dominated through the qualifying round for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and after reaching the Round of 16 in the previous tournament when they also played against Argentina (3-2 loss), their fans surely want to see them in the second round once more. Nigeria has never been in the World Cup Quarter-Finals in five appearances so far, achieving the Round of 16 three times in the process, while the market on Super Eagles to make it to the last eight is set at +1000. With a stiff competition in the Group D, they should have serious problems to even qualify for the second round.
Nigeria is a quite unpredictable team, capable of beating the heavyweights like they did six months ago against Argentina, smashing them 4-2 in a friendly game, but Super Eagles can also underperform against weaker rivals such as in the 2-0 defeat against Serbia in their previous friendly match. Super Eagles possess both speed and strength, their frontline is excellent with few players to watch, while the defensive line is arguably the weakest link in the team. The opening game against Croatia could be crucial for Nigeria and be avoiding the defeat on this one would be a big accomplishment, as the market on Nigeria’s double chance to win this clash or play a draw is set at -106.
Head Coach: Gernot Rohr
Players to Watch: Ahmed Musa, Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses
Winner Odds: +20000
Group D Odds: +1200
Group Qualification Yes/No: +225/-300
