<p class="title">Defending champions Germany will have the psychological advantage of going to the Russian World Cup finals sitting atop the FIFA rankings.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Germans are in good shape heading to Russia after their talismanic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, a key player in their 2014 victory, returned to action after a long absence through injury.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Neymar's on-form five-time World Cup winners Brazil are second, multi-talented Belgium are third, Cristiano Ronaldo's European champions Portugal fourth and Lionel Messi's Argentina are fifth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">British bookmakers would agree with the top two as they make Germany and Brazil joint World Cup favourites at odds of five to one followed by Spain, France and Argentina.</p>.<p class="bodytext">World Cup host nation Russia meanwhile slide to 70th position after a seven-game winless streak. They kick off the tournament against Saudi Arabia on June 14.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Standings June 7:</p>.<p class="bodytext">1. Germany 2. Brazil 3. Belgium 4. Portugal 5. Argentina 6. Switzerland 7. France 8. Poland (+2) 9. Chile 10. Spain (-2) 11. Peru =12. Denmark, England (+1) 14. Uruguay (+3) 15. Mexico 16. Colombia 17. Netherlands (+2) 18. Wales (+3) 19. Italy (+1) 20. Croatia (-2) 21. Tunisia (-7) 22. Iceland 23. Costa Rica (+2) 24. Sweden (-1) 25. United States (-1) Selected 27. Senegal (+1) 34. Serbia (+1) 36. Australia (+4) 37. Iran (-1) 41. Morocco (+1) 45. Egypt (+1) 48. Nigeria (-1) 55. Panama 57. South Korea (+4) 61. Japan (-1) 67. Saudi Arabia (0) 70. Russia (-4).</p>
<p class="title">Defending champions Germany will have the psychological advantage of going to the Russian World Cup finals sitting atop the FIFA rankings.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Germans are in good shape heading to Russia after their talismanic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, a key player in their 2014 victory, returned to action after a long absence through injury.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Neymar's on-form five-time World Cup winners Brazil are second, multi-talented Belgium are third, Cristiano Ronaldo's European champions Portugal fourth and Lionel Messi's Argentina are fifth.</p>.<p class="bodytext">British bookmakers would agree with the top two as they make Germany and Brazil joint World Cup favourites at odds of five to one followed by Spain, France and Argentina.</p>.<p class="bodytext">World Cup host nation Russia meanwhile slide to 70th position after a seven-game winless streak. They kick off the tournament against Saudi Arabia on June 14.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Standings June 7:</p>.<p class="bodytext">1. Germany 2. Brazil 3. Belgium 4. Portugal 5. Argentina 6. Switzerland 7. France 8. Poland (+2) 9. Chile 10. Spain (-2) 11. Peru =12. Denmark, England (+1) 14. Uruguay (+3) 15. Mexico 16. Colombia 17. Netherlands (+2) 18. Wales (+3) 19. Italy (+1) 20. Croatia (-2) 21. Tunisia (-7) 22. Iceland 23. Costa Rica (+2) 24. Sweden (-1) 25. United States (-1) Selected 27. Senegal (+1) 34. Serbia (+1) 36. Australia (+4) 37. Iran (-1) 41. Morocco (+1) 45. Egypt (+1) 48. Nigeria (-1) 55. Panama 57. South Korea (+4) 61. Japan (-1) 67. Saudi Arabia (0) 70. Russia (-4).</p>