Now that the world cup is finally round the corner here are predictions (finally) for the biggest sporting event on the planet.
GROUP A:
SOUTH AFRICA; MEXICO, URUGUAY, FRANCE
SOUTH AFRICA: They qualified as the hosts. I do not see them progressing through the first round.
MEXICO: At one point during the qualifications it seemed doubtful that we would see Mexico in South Africa. But after the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson they got their campaign back on tracks. Carlos Vela the young Arsenal striker will be the player to watch out for.
I think they will have to fight it out with Uruguay for the second qualification spot from the group.
FRANCE: They should not have qualified in first place for the WC. But the French handball team is here and it will be very difficult for them to not win the group. If they win their group they might find themselves facing Nigeria or Argentina (less likely). But I hope they get knocked out in the group stage.
URUGUAY: They qualified via the playoffs for the WC. I don’t think they will progress beyond the first round.
GROUP B:
ARGENTINA; NIGERIA; KOREA REPUBLIC, GREECE
ARGENTINA: They survived a torrid qualifying campaign to reach the WC. The question is will Lionel Messi perform for them. If he does then I think Argentina has one of the SF berth assured. With Maradona as their coach it will be interesting to see the team selection. Aside from Messi players like Tevez and Sergio Aguero are match winners in their own right.
NIGERIA: Assuming they finish first or second in the group they can face either France or Mexico. (I think they will finish second). It will be an interesting second round match and I believe Nigeria can reach the Q/F.
SOUTH KOREA: They are strong Asian contenders but I do not see them finishing above Argentina or Nigeria in the group.
GREECE: Winners of EURO 2004, it will be very difficult for Greece to progress to next round from this group.
GROUP C:
ENGLAND; USA; ALGERIA; SLOVENIA
England: From pretenders to serious contenders, England under Fabio Capello is a team to reckon. With players like Rooney, Lampard, Terry, Gerrad they are hoping for a second WC win. The only weak link in the chain is the goal keeper. I think the lack of a strong keeper will see England miss out the WC. A SF spot seems likely for Capello’s men.
USA: I expect them to qualify second (although Algeria might have some other ideas) from the group behind England. This would mean that they are likely to face Germany in the next round; where they will make an exit from the WC.
Algeria: I hope they give USA the run for their money for the second spot in the group. If they draw their match with the USA it may go down to goal difference to see who clinches the second qualifying spot.
Slovenia: Stunned Russia to reach the WC. They have a slim chance of making the second round, but I do not think they will make it out of the group.
GROUP D:
GERMANY; AUSTRALIA; SERBIA; GHANA
Germany: The Germans are always a strong side and it is expected that they will win the group. Having to face the second placed team from group C means that they should get through to the Q/F without much trouble. It is here where thighs can get interesting as they might end up facing Argentina.
Australia; Ghana; Serbia: The second qualifying spot from this group is open and any one of the three teams can grab it. I don’t think there is much to separate the three and the results will depend on the performance of the teams on the match day. Whoever finishes second will draw England in the next round which should mean an end to their campaign.
GROUP E:
NETHERLANDS; JAPAN, CAMEROON, DENMARK
Netherlands: Now that Spanish have won Euro 08; the Netherlands can be officially labeled as the perennial under achievers. They are in a difficult group with Cameroon and Denmark both teams capable of causing upsets. If the Dutch can play their game I expect them to top the group; but it will not be easy
Japan: They were the first team to qualify for the WC. To reach the second round in this WC will be a monumental effort for them.
Cameroon: Although they barely qualified for the WC I expect them to reach the next round. If they can pip the Netherlands they will have a very good chance of making the Q/F.
Denmark: They won their qualifying group (over Portugal). Much depends upon their game with Cameroon.
GROUP F:
ITALY; PARAGUAY; NEW-ZEALAND; SLOVAKIA
Italy: They are the defending world champions. They are not as strong as they were in 06, but it would be foolish to write them off. The real test will be in the Q/F where they might end up playing Spain.
Paraguay, Slovakia: They will fight it out for the second qualifying spot from the group.
New Zealand: An incredible achievement for them to have qualified for the WC. I don’t see them causing any troubles for the rest of the teams.
GROUP G:
BRAZIL; PORTUGAL; Côte d'Ivoire; KOREA DPR
Brazil: Probably the favorites along with Spain. They had a good qualifying run and although placed in a though group look set to go all the way to the finals.
Portugal: The bad boys of last world cup. Their qualifying run was not smooth and had to qualify through the payoffs. They will fight it out with Côte d'Ivoire for the second qualifying spot.
Côte d'Ivoire: Probably the strongest team in Africa, I think they will outplay Portugal for the second qualifying spot.
KOREA DPR: A complete unknown. They can be the spoilers in the group by holding one of the other teams to a draw.
GROUP H:
SPAIN, CHILE, SWITZERLAND, HONDURAS
Spain: The current number 1 team in the world is favorites along with Brazil to lift the world cup. The probably have the side amongst all the teams in the competition. I think a final between Spain and Brazil is on the cards.
Chile: Another strong team from South America. They can make it into the next round but will face Brazil there.
Switzerland: They can upset Chile for the second spot only to meet Brazil in the second round.
Honduras: They qualified for the WC by superior goal difference over Costa Rica. I don’t see them making any waves at the competition.
