GROUP D: Argentina, Croatia, Nigeria, Iceland.THE TRICKY GROUP

When you take a constructive look into the teams welled in this group and their chances of cementing positions after going head-to-head with each other, you would come to reckon with me that their chances are almost evenly balance.

ARGENTINA:
The La Albiceleste are the highest ranked side among other teams going by the FIFA rankings. Not only are they the highest ranked team, they as well boast of the five times FIFA best player of the year Lionel Messi alongside Manchester City ace Kun Aguero, Juventus talisman Paulo Dybala, Barcelona and veteran defender Javier Mascherano not being oblivious of PSG winger Angel Di Maria and Inter prodigy Mauro Icardi in their rank, and they are also the most successful side in the World cup among other teams paired with in the group. The aforementioned facts just highlighted are enough to will the South American top spot in this group. But to your dismay: football sometimes is not arithmetic.

The Argentines did find it complicated making it to the world cup this time around, after they had to hinge on Lionel Messi seeing them through with three fantastic goals against a difficult team on a difficult ground like Ecuador. Once again, they would be relying on their captain Lionel Messi who also is looking forward to better his team's last outing at the Mundial come Russia 2018 thereby tremendously enhancing his chances of surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo when the FIFA awards come around to see them through this group.

They would surely have their work cut-out against every opponent in this group, but one thing they would have as their strength over other teams is the quality and experience they posses. If Argentina can bring their A-game to bare on every game in the group stage then believe you me there would be no stopping them as regard sealing the first position in this group. However, I foresee them topping the group.

CROATIA:
With their best outing at the FIFA World Cup coming in 1998 where they end up in third-place, the European who second the Argentines when it comes to how the teams in this group are formidable in the parameters of the world football governing body FIFA would have nothing else in their mind but to ensure they equal or even surpass that record with the loads of talented players they have.

One thing I can categorically assert about this team is that they have a bunch of talented youngsters combined with experience legs. Their high-pressing game and midfield-dominance play would be one significant factor they would have going for them when the Mundial comes.

The Blazers as they are dubbed would prove a tough nut to crack for their counterparts. They are hungry, and desire to do their nation proud in Russia, but can they surpass the first hurdle which is the group stage? Here is my opinion: No they can not, going by the team they have, the chemistry they have garnered over the years and their thirst for success, I see them not leaving every game without a fight and great performance, but missing out on qualification. To end up in fourth place.

NIGERIA:
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are currently in a resurgence. Ever since the German tactician and former Bayern defender Gernot Rohr took over the reins of affairs of the team's tactical department, things have started turning around for the three times African champions.

This would be their fifth appearance at the world cup, connoting that they are no strangers to the world cup atmosphere. Boasting of the youngest team heading into Russia, alongside notable stars like captain and former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, Victor Moses of Chelsea, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal, Kelechi Ihenacho of Leicester city, Odion Ighalo formerly of Watford, now plays for Changchun Yatai.

Except injuries, complacency and inexperience decides to smile on this young and sparkling side, would it occur that they would have to pack their bags back to West Africa after the third match in the group stage. But going by my analysis, hinged on the current form of the team, the young bloods mixed with veteran ones that are desirous of a second round appearance at the world cup and a tactically shrewd coach in Gernot Rohr; though they would find it challenging, but they have what it takes - provided they bring them up to the table - to end up second behind Argentina in this group. Second place for Nigeria.

ICELAND:
Currently positioned as the 22nd best footballing nation in the world by FIFA, the Heimir Hallgrimmson's led side would be making their debut appearance at the FIFA world cup while boasting of the record of the smallest nation to ever make it to the biggest football tournament - the FIFA world cup.

If you are conversant with the trends of football, you would agree with me that their current ranking is not a fluke as they truly merit it base on the pedigree of performance they keep on churning out game after game.

I think this is the fairest group they can get in the world cup, their chances of making it out of this group is not really on the low side.

No doubt, experience counts a lot at this stage and might be their biggest undoing when the tournament begins, but with the quality they have domiciled in the team alongside the compatibility and chemistry they have been able to foster over the years, I see them trailing Argentina and Nigeria in third place in the group. To come third. But other teams should be highly wary of their venom.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Victor Moses (Nigeria)
John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)
Odion Ighalo (Nigeria)

Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Sergio Aguero (Argentina)
Paulo Dybala (Argentina)

Arnor Traustason (Iceland)
Gyfil Sigurdsson (Iceland)
Alfred Finnbogason (Iceland)

Luka Modric (Croatia)
Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)
Mario Mandzukic (Croatia)