Brazil: Everyone that knows football know what Brazil bring to the table. They kick off this World Cup against the whipping boys of the group, North Korea. You would expect Brazil to win the first two games and possibly the only way they do not get maximum points from the group is if they have already qualified top and decide to rest a few players in the last group game against Portugal.
Portugal: Sure they have Ronaldo but they also have choked when the pressure notches up. I think they only have to worry about the opening game with the Ivory Coast as you assume Brazil will end top and North Korea will be bottom which leaves the winner of the opening game as a must win. With Drogba out for the first game you have to think the edge swings into the Portuguese camp....although you know how they are with pressure.
Ivory Coast: The elephants play their toughest two teams of the group in the first two games. IF they are still within touching distance of second place going into the final day then expect them to qualify.
North Korea: Not expected to do much and they will probably continue to fail to meet expectations! A good tournament for these guys would be to end up with a point and a single digit minus goal difference.
My Prediction:
1) Brazil
2) Portugal
3) Ivory Coast
4) N. Korea
Thursday, June 10, 2010
World Cup - Group F
Italy: Before a ball is even kicked the only spot in this group that Italy should get is first. Anything else not be good enough considering the quality of this team and the quality of the opposition. The Azzurri have a good back line and players up front that can decimate any of these teams in Group F. I can see this team getting all the way to the Semi Finals.
Paraguay: Usually these guys are the whipping boys but I think this time that honor will go to the team from New Zealand. In qualifying, Paraguay have already beaten Brazil 2-0 and recorded a win and draw against Argentina. Despite this I cannot see them progressing out of the group, although that could all rest on what they do against Slovakia in their second group game.
New Zealand: It has been 28 years since they were last at a World Cup. They will end up bottom of the group but keep your heads up and we will see you back in World Cup 2038!
Slovakia: I think this team will have what it takes to finish second in the group and push on. They will probably not make it past their first knockout opponents (most likely the Dutch) but again their game against Paraguay will be the determining factor. Slovakia will go into that game after playing New Zealand and Paraguay will go into having just faced Italy. If Slovakia are not ahead on points going into the game then something is seriously wrong in the world.
My Predictions:
1) Italy
2) Slovakia
3) Paraguay
4) New Zealand
Paraguay: Usually these guys are the whipping boys but I think this time that honor will go to the team from New Zealand. In qualifying, Paraguay have already beaten Brazil 2-0 and recorded a win and draw against Argentina. Despite this I cannot see them progressing out of the group, although that could all rest on what they do against Slovakia in their second group game.
New Zealand: It has been 28 years since they were last at a World Cup. They will end up bottom of the group but keep your heads up and we will see you back in World Cup 2038!
Slovakia: I think this team will have what it takes to finish second in the group and push on. They will probably not make it past their first knockout opponents (most likely the Dutch) but again their game against Paraguay will be the determining factor. Slovakia will go into that game after playing New Zealand and Paraguay will go into having just faced Italy. If Slovakia are not ahead on points going into the game then something is seriously wrong in the world.
My Predictions:
1) Italy
2) Slovakia
3) Paraguay
4) New Zealand
World Cup - Group E
Netherlands: This team tend to qualify out of the groups in spectacular style....then fall at the first hurdle in the knockout stages. Back in Euro 2008 they won all three of their group games to finish first only to fall to Russia 3-1 at the first knockout stage. Full of talent with Van Persie and Kuyt up front but do they really have what it takes to win the whole thing? No. However they will progress from the group stage AND, if they can avoid Italy in the second round, will progress to the Quarter Finals before being knocked out.
Denmark: The Danes open up against the Dutch and will struggle to get a win with their aging squad. Next up are Cameroon, a team that is a must win if Denmark are to progress because their final game is against Japan who just may have more than can be handled in the speed department. Three and out.
Japan: This team just may surprise a few people although their World Cup record isn't anything spectacular (W1 D1 L8) but although I do not believe they will qualify from the group I also do not think they will be out of contention going into the last game.
Cameroon: On paper the best African team in the competition as far as qualifying for World Cups go (6 from the past 8) and they also boast super striker Eto'o. Certainly this is a potentially good group as they kick off against Japan then take on Denmark in two games they could realistically win which means their passage to the Second Round could be assured before they take on Holland.
My Predictions:
1) Holland
2) Cameroon
3) Japan
4) Denmark
Denmark: The Danes open up against the Dutch and will struggle to get a win with their aging squad. Next up are Cameroon, a team that is a must win if Denmark are to progress because their final game is against Japan who just may have more than can be handled in the speed department. Three and out.
Japan: This team just may surprise a few people although their World Cup record isn't anything spectacular (W1 D1 L8) but although I do not believe they will qualify from the group I also do not think they will be out of contention going into the last game.
Cameroon: On paper the best African team in the competition as far as qualifying for World Cups go (6 from the past 8) and they also boast super striker Eto'o. Certainly this is a potentially good group as they kick off against Japan then take on Denmark in two games they could realistically win which means their passage to the Second Round could be assured before they take on Holland.
My Predictions:
1) Holland
2) Cameroon
3) Japan
4) Denmark
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
World Cup - Group D
Germany: The Germans have great players all throughout the team and have won the competition three times already. This year they have the balance of age and experience with youth and enthusiasm. Despite this I do not think the Germans will make easy work of the group stage. The first game is against the 'Socceroos' and I think the Aussies will go all out in this game. They will need Schweinsteiger, Ballack and Klose on their game throughout the group stage.
Australia: World Cup virgins in 2006 Australia go into this World Cup lacking the skill of a some of the bigger teams but what they lack in that department they make up for in athleticism and heart. They have a stout defence which makes them tough to score tons of goals on but also have the triple threat of attacking midfielders led by Evertons Tim Cahill which will certainly help them snatch the odd goal here and there. Don't forget the World Cup held in Germany four years ago it was only a converted penalty (won by a blatant dive) that sent the Italians through from the second round while the Aussies were sent home.
Serbia: Key players Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Dejan Stankovic (Inter) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) will not help this team progress from the group stage. Sorry.
Ghana: The way that Ghana face their opponents certainly couldn't have been made better for them this go around. First off they play Serbia, a game that they should win and if they do will see them go into the second game above one or both of Germany and Australia. That puts them into a good position when they face their biggest game of the group, a must win game against Australia (probably their competition for second place). If they manage to win or draw this game then they can enjoy the game against Germany. However on the flip side if they go into the last day less than three points above Australia then I expect them to go home.
My Predictions:
1) Germany
2) Ghana
3) Australia
4) Serbia
Australia: World Cup virgins in 2006 Australia go into this World Cup lacking the skill of a some of the bigger teams but what they lack in that department they make up for in athleticism and heart. They have a stout defence which makes them tough to score tons of goals on but also have the triple threat of attacking midfielders led by Evertons Tim Cahill which will certainly help them snatch the odd goal here and there. Don't forget the World Cup held in Germany four years ago it was only a converted penalty (won by a blatant dive) that sent the Italians through from the second round while the Aussies were sent home.
Serbia: Key players Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Dejan Stankovic (Inter) and Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) will not help this team progress from the group stage. Sorry.
Ghana: The way that Ghana face their opponents certainly couldn't have been made better for them this go around. First off they play Serbia, a game that they should win and if they do will see them go into the second game above one or both of Germany and Australia. That puts them into a good position when they face their biggest game of the group, a must win game against Australia (probably their competition for second place). If they manage to win or draw this game then they can enjoy the game against Germany. However on the flip side if they go into the last day less than three points above Australia then I expect them to go home.
My Predictions:
1) Germany
2) Ghana
3) Australia
4) Serbia
World Cup - Group C
England: The inventors of the game many years ago and winners in the 1966 World Cup held in England. Every World Cup the expectations are high and every World Cup expectations are left unrealised, usually from a penalty spot. This time around however the stars seem to be aligned. Th fact that the competition is being held in South Africa, with the temperature mild compared to previous World Cups means that maybe the advantage lays with European teams rather than the South Americans. England kick of against the USA and it is not so much of a must win as a mustn't lose. After this game England face the lesser teams of Algeria and Slovenia, teams that realistically England should be winning.
USA: The only country in the competition that doesn't play the sport. Sure they have the MLS (Might Looklike Soccer) but that is nothing when stacked up against the South American and European leagues. However a lot of the National team do ply their trade in the European leagues, with 'Gooch' playing for Milan, Dempsey reaching the UEFA Cup final with Fulham and Landon Donovan joining up with goalkeeper Howard at Everton for a loan spell. A draw for the USA against England would sent the Yank fans home happier with their next games being against Slovenia and Algeria. A loss against England will not be devastating but certainly not the best start.
Algeria: The whipping boys of the group potentially. It will be a good outing for them if they go into the last game against the USA still with a chance to qualify. Now that said they do have European based players but as a team I still feel they lack the quality needed. Bougherra (nicknamed Boughie woogie by his club teams fans) plys his trade for the blue of Glasgow. Their two wingers Meghni and Ziani play for Lazio and Wolfsburg respectively.
Slovenia: If the Slovenians can beat Algeria in their opening game then it sets up a tasty match against the USA (who would just have come off a game against England). The winner of that game between Slovenia and the USA will do much, I think, in determining the second place team in the group.
My Predictions:
1) England
2) USA
3) Slovenia
4) Algeria
USA: The only country in the competition that doesn't play the sport. Sure they have the MLS (Might Looklike Soccer) but that is nothing when stacked up against the South American and European leagues. However a lot of the National team do ply their trade in the European leagues, with 'Gooch' playing for Milan, Dempsey reaching the UEFA Cup final with Fulham and Landon Donovan joining up with goalkeeper Howard at Everton for a loan spell. A draw for the USA against England would sent the Yank fans home happier with their next games being against Slovenia and Algeria. A loss against England will not be devastating but certainly not the best start.
Algeria: The whipping boys of the group potentially. It will be a good outing for them if they go into the last game against the USA still with a chance to qualify. Now that said they do have European based players but as a team I still feel they lack the quality needed. Bougherra (nicknamed Boughie woogie by his club teams fans) plys his trade for the blue of Glasgow. Their two wingers Meghni and Ziani play for Lazio and Wolfsburg respectively.
Slovenia: If the Slovenians can beat Algeria in their opening game then it sets up a tasty match against the USA (who would just have come off a game against England). The winner of that game between Slovenia and the USA will do much, I think, in determining the second place team in the group.
My Predictions:
1) England
2) USA
3) Slovenia
4) Algeria
World Cup - Group B
Argentina: One of the tournament favorites heading into the World Cup. It will be interesting to see how Maradona handles the opening game, against a reasonably tough Nigerian side. A win will be expected but a draw or a loss will see them go into the South Korean game under unwanted pressure. Messi is indeed the wonder boy of the team and the burden of lifting the team when the pressure is on will undoubtedly be on his shoulders, and this guy can deliver in an instant.
Nigeria: There is no reason on paper why this team cannot progress from the Group. Barring the opening game against Argentina the remaining two games are certainly winnable, whether they do or not is a different story.
South Korea: In 2002 this team surprised the Footballing nation. In 2010 this will not be the case and I think this team will probably be three and out.
Greece: In my opinion it will be the game against Nigeria that will be the most important for this Greek team. A win I think will see them claim second place in the Group. A loss however will probably see them hitch a ride back to their country.
Predicted Results:
1) Argentina
2) Greece
3) Nigeria
4) S. Korea
Nigeria: There is no reason on paper why this team cannot progress from the Group. Barring the opening game against Argentina the remaining two games are certainly winnable, whether they do or not is a different story.
South Korea: In 2002 this team surprised the Footballing nation. In 2010 this will not be the case and I think this team will probably be three and out.
Greece: In my opinion it will be the game against Nigeria that will be the most important for this Greek team. A win I think will see them claim second place in the Group. A loss however will probably see them hitch a ride back to their country.
Predicted Results:
1) Argentina
2) Greece
3) Nigeria
4) S. Korea
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
World Cup - Group A
South Africa: They kick off their World Cup against arguably the toughest team in their group, Mexico. If they can get a draw here (or a very surprise win) then they will go into their second game against Uraguay in a very buoyant mood. However I think they will have the honor of being the first host nation to fail to advance from the group stage. That's exactly how I see that going.
Mexico: With France being hounded from home and their lead up friendlies not yielding the best results , it is fair to say that Mexico should be looked on as the odds on group winners. They can kick off their World Cup against the hosts, and 'on paper' weaker teams in their group. However many teams stutter in the first game and the possibility of an upset has to be considered, although not to seriously. After the hosts come France, in a game which would possibly decide positions 1 and 2 in Group A.
Uraguay: Do not underestimate these guys, especially with their first game being against the very wobbly French team. Senegal beat the French in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup and the French media and politicans back home are placing pressure on the French manager. This game is possibly the most important for Uraguay if they wish to procede. A win against the French in this game means game 2 Uraguay will face South Africa while the French face Mexico.
France: The downside to the French side is the fact they are all French! The World Cup winning team of 1998 has now long gone into TV/Radio and the new team should be winning games, but it doesn't. Watch out for the exodus of National Team Managers after (and throughout) the World Cup with Raymond possibly being one of the first.
My Predictions
1) Mexico
2) France
3) Uraguay
4) South A
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