Groups E and F possible outcomes

Group E
This is one of those 6-3-3-0 groups where all 4 teams are still in it. Group D was the other 6-3-3-0, where the bottom team are eliminated, which was unfortunate for us.

Group E is the same configuration as the Holland-Germany-Portugal-Denmark group was at this point in Euro 2012, if that rings any bells, or come to that if it doesn't.

Let's start with the extremes. If Honduras beat Switzerland and France beat Ecuador, France win with 9 points and all the other teams have 3. In that instance, second place is decided on goal difference, with Ecuador as favourites.

If Ecuador beat France and Switzerland beat Honduras, Honduras are eliminated with 0 points and all the other three teams end with 6 points each. France almost certainly top the group, and Ecuador are favourites for second place.

Otherwise, France top the group, and Ecuador are second unless Switzerland do better than they do in points, or by 2 goals. Clear?

Channel hopping seems in order for this one.


Group F
Argentina are through, and Bosnia are out.

Argentina top the group unless Nigeria beat them, in which case Nigeria are top and Argentina are second.

If Argentina and Nigeria draw, Argentina win and Nigeria are second. If Argentina beat Nigeria and Iran beat Bosnia, second place goes to Nigeria or Iran depending on goal difference.

If Argentina are up against Nigeria and Bosnia are up against Iran, both of which seem quite possible, this could be a group where the tension dribbles away quite quickly.

You may have noticed that I've truncated the format for these. This is because none of you are reading them anyway, presumably because anyone who cares already knows. I bet none of you are reading this either. I could confess to all those things I did right here, and nothing would happen at all. I won't though.