SCAN the 2018 World Cup groups and it quickly becomes apparent that the pre-tournament favourites have been kept apart.
That is predominantly because of Fifa's new ranking-based format for determining the groups.

England have been handed a reasonably favourable group for the 2018 World Cup
Although Spain and Portugal will face each other while Belgium and England will go head-to-head for what you imagine will be top spot in Group G.
It means there won’t be a traditional "Group of Death" in Russia next summer, however, that doesn’t mean all the major nations are guaranteed their place in the knock-out stages.
So we asked our friends at Football Whispers to analyse the groups and determine which is the hardest and who is likely to secure their places in the last-16.
It would be easy to focus on Group B and determine it’s the closest to resembling a Group of Death. Spain are still unbeaten under current boss Julen Lopetegui while Portugal are reigning European champions.
Morocco have a talented side, too, but Iran are weak and should be cannon-fodder for the three other sides. Spain are still unbeaten under current boss Julen Lopetegui while Portugal are reigning European champions.
Morocco have a talented side, too, but Iran are weak and should be cannon-fodder for the three other sides. La Albiceleste’s qualifying campaign was, largely, a shambles.
They went through three different coaches and needed a Lionel Messi hat-trick in their final qualifier against Ecuador to ensure their place in Russia next summer.
Few countries can boast the wealth of attacking options at Jorge Sampaoli’s disposal but coming up with an XI and system that, firstly, gets the best out of Messi and, secondly, resembles a structured side has been difficult.
Diego Maradona, a god in Argentina, is far from convinced about his country’s performances.
He said after taking part in the draw: "Argentina cannot play any worse than they are doing. They have a manageable group but they have to improve."
Fail to do so and that “manageable group” will become far harder than Maradona anticipates. Group B also contains Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria, three sides who have very differing qualities but can cause problems.
Croatia are a team of many gifted players; from Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in midfield to Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic in attack.
They may not have entirely convinced in their qualifying campaign and needed to go through the play-offs to ensure their participation in Russia, but any team with the individual talents of the above players can cause problems against the best in the world.
Nigeria, too, have talent in their ranks and faced a Messi-less Argentina in a recent friendly in Russia.
The African nation came from two goals behind to clinch a deserved 4-2 victory thanks to a goal from Leicester's Kelechi Iheanacho and a hat-trick from Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi.
It proved that when everything clicks, the Super Eagles, despite sitting 50th in the Fifa rankings, can be a threat to any side.
And then there is Iceland, who will be competing at the World Cup for the first time. The Nordic nation proved at Euro 2016 that while they may not possess a team of stars – Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson is their biggest name – they are a side who are greater than the sum of their parts.
England found that out to their detriment in France last year and Iceland finished above Croatia in their qualifying group, so are capable of making the knockout stages.
It all means Group D is genuinely the hardest to call.
If Argentina under-perform there is a very real possibility they make an early exit.
But the belief is that Sampaoli will be able to devise a tactical structure that gets the best out of his talented players by the time they arrive in Russia.
That could mean three very good sides scrapping for one place.
It’s tough to call but Croatia’s tournament know-how could prove too much for Iceland, while Nigeria will need to stamp out the inconsistency which has seen them lose to Benin and South Africa in this year.

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Its easier said than done. All we need is full preparation like host big team friendly