All the teams in Groups C & D are still in play, including a certain team in white…
Group C
Slovenia: 4 pts., +1 GD, 3 GS
U.S.A.: 2 pts., 0 GD, 3 GS
England: 2 pts., 0 GD, 1 GS
Algeria: 1 pt., -1 GD, 0 GS
Little, lowly Slovenia goes through with a win or a draw. They can still go through on a loss if the U.S. ties or loses.
The U.S. goes through if they win, or if they draw and England draws — without scoring too many goals — or loses.
England needs to win. If they draw, they need to score a lot of goals, and hope the Americans draw 0-0… or better yet, lose.
Algeria will go through on a win and an England loss.
Prediction: Slovenia-England draw England hang on for a win, U.S. beat Algeria. The U.S. wins the group on goals, with the Three Lions coming second. I might regret this one after the game but…
Group D:
Ghana: 4 pts., +1 GD, 2 GS
Germany: 3 pts., +3 GD, 4 GS
Serbia: 3 pts., 0 GD, 1 GS
Australia: 1 pt., -4 GD, 1 GS
Ghana can go through with a win. A draw will get them through if Serbia loses or draws. Ghana can still get through on a loss if Serbia loses in a game that keeps Australia’s goal difference less than the Africans.
Germany goes through on a win, or a draw and a Serbian loss. A loss knocks them out. Achtung!
Serbia goes through on a win. They can go through on a draw if Ghana wins, or if Germany wins but Serbia scores more goals than Ghana.
Australia need to win and hope the Germans lose. If they Germany wins or draws, then Australia has to make up the massive goal difference. Good luck with that.
Prediction: Germany beats Ghana. Serbia beats Australia. Germany goes first on goal difference.
Sunday’s games: U.S.A vs. Serbia, Germany vs. England.
