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 E 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 E – Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and Serbia.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup begins on June 14th, 2018, when the host nation Russia meets Saudi Arabia at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, while 32 national soccer teams from five different confederations will battle to decide who’s the best team in the world. Divided into eight groups with four teams per each group, only the top two will qualify for the Round of 16 after three rounds in the group phase. In this preview, we will take a closer look at the Group E of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia to see what can we expect from each team out of this competition, while the bettors can find all markets for group winners and group phase matches on BetDSI Sportsbook.
Group E Schedule
| Date | HOME | AWAY | 1 | X | 2 | O/U 2.5 Goals |
| 6/17/2018 | Costa Rica | Serbia | +300 | +220 | +100 | +150/-200 |
| 6/17/2018 | Brazil | Switzerland | +275 | +375 | +750 | -106/-118 |
| 6/22/2018 | Brazil | Costa Rica | -450 | +500 | +1200 | -154/+120 |
| 6/22/2018 | Serbia | Switzerland | +200 | +190 | +160 | +135/-175 |
| 6/27/2018 | Serbia | Brazil | +800 | +400 | -300 | -112/-112 |
| 6/27/2018 | Switzerland | Costa Rica | -118 | +240 | +333 | +125/-163 |
FIFA World Cup Group E Odds Predictions
Costa Rica vs Serbia Free Preview and Pick
Brazil vs. Switzerland Free Preview and Pick
FIFA World Cup Group E Team Previews and Players to Watch
BRAZIL
The five-time World Cup champions are coming to Russia as the biggest favorites to win another title, according to all relevant sportsbooks, while the bookmakers expect to see Brazil at least in the Semi-Finals setting the market at +110. Four years ago, Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup, expecting the sixth crown on the home soil, but they were humiliated by Germany 7-1 in the Semi-Finals, so their fans want a redemption this summer in Russia, as their beloved team certainly possesses the quality to finish at the top.
With Neymar, Gabriel Jesus, and Roberto Firmino at the front, and Philippe Coutinho behind them, this Brazil team is so dangerous in the final third, capable of scoring literally at will, so the bettors who like betting on the totals should pay attention to their matches, particularly against Costa Rica and Serbia. The defensive line could be an issue, but realistically, Brazil shouldn’t have any problems to qualify for the second round, while their real strength will be tested in the further stages. However, for people in Brazil, only winning the World Cup Trophy will be a success.
Head Coach: Tite
Players to Watch: Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus
Winner Odds: +400
Group E Odds: -400
Group Qualification Yes/No: -1600/+1000
SWITZERLAND
The Red Crusaders will be a part of the FIFA World Cup final tournament for the eleventh time in their history, reaching the Quarter-Finals on three occasions in Italy 1934, France 1938, and in 1954 when Switzerland hosted the World Cup. In the previous tournament, they were beaten in the Round of 16 by Argentina 1-0 with Angel Di Maria’s goal in the extra-time, while this year, the bookies favor Switzerland at +500 to reach the last eight, but it is going to be a tough road for the Red Crusaders.
Switzerland is a defensive-minded team who prefers to sit back and wait for chances on the counter, while a high work rate makes them a hard opponent to beat. The playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri is the key player in this team, and his creativity is essential for the Red Crusaders who don’t have a proper substitute for him, while their midfield is quite a hard-working one. The forwards Haris Seferovic and Josip Drmic will lead the frontline, but their biggest problem is inefficiency, so the bookmakers are pretty sure we wouldn’t see a bunch of goals in their games.
Head Coach: Vladimir Petkovic
Players to Watch: Xherdan Shaqiri, Haris Seferovic, Stephan Lichtsteiner
Winner Odds: +10000
Group E Odds: +600
Group Qualification Yes/No: +100/-125
COSTA RICA
The Tricolor was the biggest surprise of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, topping the group table ahead of heavyweights Uruguay, Italy, and England, and reaching the Quarter-Finals when they lost to the Netherlands on penalties after a nil-nil draw in the regular time. Costa Rica will have a difficult task to replicate this achievement at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, while the bookies set the price on them to reach the Quarter-Finals at +1400. It is always difficult to consecutively upset the odds, so the majority of soccer experts are skeptical about Costa Rica’s chances to finish in the top two.
The manager Oscar Ramirez prefers a cautious approach with a defensive 5-4-1 formation, trying to make opportunities through the direct-passing style of play, while Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz are both skillful individuals who can make some damage on their own. However, the biggest star of this Costa Rica team is Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas who’s undoubtedly one of the best keepers in the world at the moment, and his impact could be crucial for eventual Tricolor’s drive to the success, while Navas is well-known as a great motivator.
Head Coach: Oscar Ramirez
Players to Watch: Joel Campbell, Keylor Navas, Celso Borges
Winner Odds: +50000
Group E Odds: +800
Group Qualification Yes/No: +350/-500
SERBIA
The Eagles are flying to the FIFA World Cup for the second time in their history, failing to reach the second round in South Africa 2010, although they managed to beat Germany in the group stage. This is often a story of Serbia – giving their best against the strongest teams in the world, and underperforming against underdogs, so the opening clash against Costa Rica could be crucial for the Eagles’ destiny at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as avoiding a loss is a must if they want to qualify for the Round of 16.
Serbia is a quite unpredictable team with a few exceptional players in the squad, particularly in the midfield, as Nemanja Matic is one of the best anchor-men in the world at the moment, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is currently among the most wanted players on the market, having a tremendous season with Lazio in the Italian Serie A. The playmaker Dusan Tadic will orchestrate the play, and his ability to create chances for his teammates is essential for the Eagles, whilst the controversial striker Aleksandar Mitrovic will lead the frontline. Serbia prefers a 3-5-2 system with a lot of movement on both flanks, while the defensive line could be their main issue, so the bettors should pay attention to the totals.
Head Coach: Mladen Krstajic
Players to Watch: Nemanja Matic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Dusan Tadic
Winner Odds: +20000
Group E Odds: +1800
Group Qualification Yes/No: +120/-150
