France are the powerhouse side in Group C

World Cup Group C: Predictions, best bets and fixtures

Football

Fri June 15, 2018 · 6y ago

We analyse Group C at the World Cup which features 1998 champions France, Denmark, Australia and South American side Peru.

Odds

Fixtures

Saturday June 16 - France v Australia (11am, BBC), Kazan Arena, Kazan

Saturday June 16 - Peru v Denmark (5pm, BBC), Mordovia Arena, Saransk

Thursday June 21 - Denmark v Australia (1pm, ITV), Samara Arena, Samara

Thursday June 21 - France v Peru (4pm, ITV), Central Stadium, Yekaterinburg

Tuesday June 26 - Australia v Peru (3pm, ITV), Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi

Tuesday June 26 - Denmark v France (3pm, ITV), Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow

Moscow's revamped Luzhniki Stadium will host the 2018 World Cup final and Denmark v France

All times stated in BST, to see more about the locations click here for our stadium guide

Verdict

France will be delighted to have been placed in this group, and should have little issue securing top spot and a better tie in the Round of 16.

Denmark are fancied to wrap up second, but there is a real possibility of any of the other three advancing to the knockout stages.

Australia may be the outsiders, but they could cause a bit of an upset, even if they don't pick up anything in matchday one against France.

Part of the case for Australia relates to their manager. Bert Van Marwijk will be leading them in Russia. The 65-year-old has a wealth of experience, most notably leading the Netherlands to the final back in 2010 where they lost to Spain.

He took over in January following Ange Postecoglou’s resignation. Prior to Australia, he led Saudi Arabia to qualification, concluding their 12-year absence from the World Cup.

Peru, like Australia, reached the tournament through the inter-confederation play-offs and are seen by many as Denmark's main threat for the runner-up spot.

If you look towards the odds as a guideline, Australia's final day clash with Peru will decide who avoids finishing bottom of the group.

Group C prediction: (9/1 with Sky Bet)

1. France

2. Australia

3. Denmark

4. Peru

Best bets

Antoine Griezmann to score anytime in France v Australia at evens

France to have exactly nine group points - 7/4

Squads

Australia | Full profile

Click on the image for all you need to know about Australia ahead of the World Cup in Russia

Goalkeepers: Brad Jones (Feyenoord), Mat Ryan (Brighton), Danny Vukovic (Genk).

Defenders: Aziz Behich (Bursaspor), Milos Degenek (Yokohama F. Marinos), Matthew Jurman (Suwon Samsung Blue Wings), James Meredith (Millwall), Josh Risdon (Western Sydney), Trent Sainsbury (Grasshopper Zurich).

Midfielders: Jackson Irvine (Hull City), Mile Jedinak (Aston Villa), Robbie Kruse (VfL Bochum), Massimo Luongo (QPR), Mark Milligan (Al-Ahli), Aaron Mooy (Huddersfield), Tom Rogic (Celtic), Tim Cahill (Millwall).

Forwards: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne City), Tomi Juric (Luzern), Mathew Leckie (Hertha Berlin), Andrew Nabbout (Urawa Red Diamonds), Dimitri Petratos (Newcastle Jets), Jamie Maclaren (Hibernian)

Denmark | Full profile

Click on the image for all you need to know about Denmark ahead of the World Cup in Russia

Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester), Frederik Ronnow (Brondby), Jonas Lossl (Huddersfield).

Defenders: Simon Kjaer (Sevilla), Mathias Jorgensen (Huddersfield), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Henrik Dalsgaard (Brentford), Jannik Vestergaard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Jonas Knudsen (Ipswich).

Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Tottenham), Lasse Schone (Ajax), Michael Krohn-Dehli (Deportivo La Coruna), Thomas Delaney (Werder Bremen), William Kvist (FC Copenhagen), Lukas Lerager (Bordeaux).

Forwards: Andreas Cornelius (Atalanta), Kasper Dolberg (Ajax), Martin Braithwaite (Bordeaux), Nicolai Jorgensen (Feyenoord), Pione Sisto (Celta Vigo), Viktor Fischer (FC Copenhagen), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig)

France | Full profile

Click on the image for all you need to know about France ahead of the World Cup in Russia

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham Hotspur), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Alphonse Areola (Paris Saint-Germain)

Defenders: Lucas Hernandez (Atletico Madrid), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Benjamin Mendy (Manchester City), Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart), Adil Rami (Marseille), Djibril Sidibe (Monaco), Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid)

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Blaise Matuidi (Juventus), Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Corentin Tolisso (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Nabil Fekir (Lyon), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Lemar (Monaco), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Florian Thauvin (Marseille)

Peru | Full profile

Click on the image for all you need to know about Peru ahead of the World Cup

Goalkeepers: Pedro Gallese (Veracruz), Carlos Caceda (Deportivo Municipal), Jose Carvallo (UTC).

Defenders: Aldo Corzo (Universitario), Luis Advincula (Lobos Buap), Christian Ramos (Veracruz), Miguel Araujo (Alianza Lima), Alberto Rodriguez (Atletico Junior), Anderson Santamaria (Puebla), Miguel Trauco (Flamengo), Nilson Loyola (Melgar).

Midfielders: Renato Tapia (Feyenoord), Pedro Aquino (Lobos Buap), Yoshimar Yotun (Orlando City), Paolo Hurtado (Vitoria Guimaraes), Christian Cueva (Sao Paulo), Edison Flores (Aalborg), Andy Polo (Portland Timbers), Wilder Cartagena (Veracruz).

Forwards: Andre Carrillo (Watford), Raul Ruidiaz (Morelia), Jefferson Farfan (Lokomotiv Moscow), Paolo Guerrero (Flamengo)