Group G: Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Group G Favorites -- Belgium

For the third consecutive even-year summer, the Red Devils are the trendy choice to make a splash at a major tournament, and with an abundance of stars and gaudy numbers on their side -- highlighted by a ridiculous +37 goal differential in 10 games of UEFA qualifying -- all signs suggest that a deep run in Russia could be in the immediate future for Roberto Martinez’s charges.

The term “Golden Generation” gets bandied around too much, but this collection of Belgian talent -- from Kevin De Bruyne to Eden Hazard to Thibaut Courtois to Romelu Lukaku and so on -- are the epitome of the phrase. Collectively, they’ve taken what once was an international soccer afterthought of a country and driven it to quarterfinal finishes in Brazil 2014 and France 2016, all while earning FIFA’s number-3 world ranking as of this April.

With most of their top guns in their prime, this might be Belgium’s best chance to reach the semis -- or beyond -- for only the second time in their history. Our metrics agree with that sentiment, as our odds have the Red Devils as third-favorites to life the trophy at tournament’s end.

Team of Intrigue -- England

Though not always merited, no national team commands more attention than the Three Lions, as the combination of British tabloids and Premier League superstars equals lots of column inches, even if (especially when) results aren’t favorable.

Such will be the case again for England in Russia this summer, though the hype surrounding Gareth Southgate’s side this time is slightly more muted than in recent years, stemming no doubt from back-to-back major tournament nightmares and a squad with obvious shortcomings.

And yet, perhaps a lighter burden of expectations is exactly what this England team needs. With just three players aged 30 years or older and only one -- Chelsea’s Gary Cahill -- with more than 40 international caps, youthful naivety might succeed in an England shirt where veteran leadership has failed so many times before. To that point, the English went unbeaten through UEFA qualifying and haven’t lost a match since June of 2016.

Still, there’s no pressure like World Cup pressure, and the world will be watching to see how long newly-appointed captain Harry Kane and Co. can keep that unbeaten run going this June.

Star Watch -- Kevin De Bruyne

On this Belgian team of stars, the 26-year-old playmaker shines a bit brighter than the rest, especially after a scintillating 2017-18 campaign that saw him rack up a Premier League-leading 16 assists for champions Man City while finishing a somewhat surprising second in the PFA Player of the Year voting to another former Chelsea castoff (Mo Salah).

De Bruyne isn’t a world-class athlete, but his vision, engine, ball-striking and ability to pick a pass have made him a FIFA World XI pick and an essential cog for club and country.

With the Belgian attacking talent around him rivaling that of his record-breaking club side, odds are good that the goals will flow in Russia just as they did at the Etihad, and we can expect KDB to be in the middle of it all.

Match In Focus

Tunisia vs. Panama -- June 28, Saransk

Belgium vs. England is the glamor tie of the group, but don’t overlook the Matchday 3 meeting of the two lesser-lights of Group F.

Tunisia are back in the World Cup for the first time since 2006 after a defense-first approach in CAF qualifying that saw them finish unbeaten in six games, while Panama are one of two debutants in the tournament after dramatically advancing ahead of the US for the third and final automatic qualifying place in CONCACAF.

While it’s possible both could be mathematically eliminated by this point, imagine the spectacle on display if that’s not the case, as each side will fancy their chances against the other and both likely needing a win to move on.

What Lies Ahead

If you’re the top team in Group G or the runner-up, you’re still in for a reasonable Round-of-16 draw, because as balanced as Group H is -- any two of Poland, Colombia, Japan or Senegal could advance -- it’s also one of the least-threatening foursomes in the tournament. It’s not a stretch to say Group G could easily see two of its teams through to the quarterfinals.

numberFire Projections

Belgium -- 72.02% to top group, 94.64% to advance

England -- 26.02% to top group, 88.04% to advance

Tunisia -- 1.3% to top group, 9.79% to advance

Panama -- 0.66% to top group, 5.51% to advance