Group A
Anything is possible in this group, remember France Vs Senegal in 2002? Well they were a better team then than they are now and could feasibly lose to anyone here. Realistically though, France will go through but I'm not convinced they'll win the group. Mexico were a shambles the last time I saw them under Eriksson, no idea how they are now. Uruguay are a pretty solid team and I wouldn't be surprised to see them take this group. Can't honestly see South Africa getting out of what's a solid if unspectacular group, which is unfortunate because of the damage it'll cause to the atmosphere.
Uruguay to win the group
France to take second
Group B
This is probably the only other group where you can expect the unexpected, what with Argentina being managed by someone who's taken more drugs than Ozzy Osbourne. Anything can happen but you'd imagine even Maradona can't fuck this group up. In a coincidence, the last time Maradona was at the world cup, Argentina's group consisted of Greece, Nigeria and Bulgaria. Maybe he still think's it's 1994, which would explain some of his squad being picked.
2nd place will be contended by 3 average teams with a history of excellence and excrement. Former European champions Greece have shown an ability to shock everyone while having no stars but didn't even qualify to defend their European title in 2008. Nigeria are the former Olympic champions but that never materialised into anything in the professional game and they struggled to qualify. Korea finished 4th 8 years ago in their home country but that was under the long gone Guus Hiddink.
Argentina to win the group, Greece and Nigeria to grind out a draw between them and Korea to take advantage
Argentina to win the group
South Korea to take second
Group C
England should win the group comfortably, taking advantage of a traditionally slow starting US team and then comfortably beating Slovenia and Algeria.
What then happens between the other 3 is anyone's guess. The US should take 2nd but are known to be vulnerable against quick and skillful teams like Algeria. Slovenia shouldn't provide a problem for anyone so 2nd should come down to that one match, by that point the US should have gotten going.
England to win the group
US to take second
Group D
Potential quality throughout this group but you've got to believe that Germany will thrive with the competition.
Ghana are coming off a very disappointing African campaign but have the quality to beat anyone here, they don't appear to be in top form though.
It's difficult to judge the quality of Australia when they're stuck in the Asian qualifying section but they waltzed through it regardless. Just like Korea though, they're not the same side that should have beaten Italy in 2006, without Guus Hiddink.
If you look at Serbia through qualifying they should be a force to be reckoned with but the reality is they're somewhat lacking quality. As far as teamwork, organisation and consistency though they're top notch and that should have them win out over the other 2.
Germany to win the group
Serbia to take 2nd
Group E
Holland should walk this group and impress everyone before their ritual collapse in the knockout stages, there's nothing to challenge them here.
Japan are as average as can be and, against physical opposition in Denmark and Cameroon, will fold. Denmark are somewhat improved as of late but they lack firepower against an always attacking Cameroon, who have something of a home advantage. Holland aside, don't expect much entertainment from this group.
Holland to win the group
Cameroon to take second
Group F
An embarassingly poor group that Italy, even as poor as they are, will walk through without breaking a sweat. How I wish I could move the Ivory Coast in here and out of group G. New Zealand are the clear whipping boys and so 2nd place will come down to Slovakia Vs Paraguay * Yawns * Both teams struggle to score goals and have had embarassing losses recently but Paraguay did come through a much tougher qualifying looking reasonably decent and they should eke out a narrow win to take them through
Italy to win the group
Paraguay to take second
Group G
OK, firstly let's forget about North Korea because they haven't a snowball in hell's chance of getting through this group. They will be soundly beaten by everyone to the point where we could be looking at a record for goals conceded, and goal difference could be quite important here.
Brazil eh? When you can afford to leave Ronaldinho out of your
provisional squad, you're not to be fucked with. No-one here should provide any serious threat and they'll win the group.
Now, Portugal Vs Ivory Coast... Portugal have struggled badly since Big Phil Scolari left them and yet Carlos Querioz has managed to keep his job and they have seen a slight upturn in results, they also have footballs most annoying but undeniably talented wanker in Ronaldo but his national performances of late haven't shown that. The Ivory Coast are coming off a African cup campaign so poor that they sacked their manager 2 months before this tournament. I doubt Sven G.E has had time to sort them out and he's not had a great time either recently, he'll also be less than pleased to see Brazil and Portugal in this group after they knocked him out of World Cup 2002, Euro 2004 and World Cup 2006.
Brazil to win the group
Portugal to take second
Group H
There shouldn't be any doubt over who will get out of this group, only in what order. Honduras can't hope to compete with Spain and Chile will likely be too much for them. Switzerland are very good defensively, they struggle to score though and against a very good Chile side they'll lose.
Now instinct says Spain will have no problem with Chile but it could be closer than you'd imagine. Chile are coming off a qualifying campaign where they finished a narrow 2nd only to Brazil, while Spain are going into this tournament with injuries to their 4 main players (Torres, Iniesta, Xavi and Fabregas) without whom Spain are majorly weakened. Much will depend on whether those 4 can get fit for the game against Chile. I'm not aware of the order of games but if Spain Vs Chile is early, don't be surprised if Chile take the group, leaving Spain to face Brazil.
It is infact the last game, which could be very significant regarding the entire tournament. Spain to win the group then
Spain to win the group
Chile to take second
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Uruguay Vs South Korea
Shouldn't be an issue, there's no doubt Uruguay are better
Argentina Vs France
Battle of the mental coaches is a blessing for Maradona as the better players come out on top.
England Vs Serbia
Really should be standard stuff for England
Germany Vs US
These two are actually pretty even but the difference comes when you put them in tournaments, the Germans excel while the US doesn't.
Holland Vs Paraguay
It's the knockouts so Holland are capable of losing against anyone but you'd imagine it won't be here.
Italy Vs Cameroon
It's the tactical masters against a less than tactical team. Remarkably Italy bore their way through to another quarter-final, despite not being very good.
Brazil Vs Chile
What could be a very entertaining game. Brazil won both games in qualifying though so unless something goes wrong, there's no reason to suggest a change in fortunes.
Spain Vs Portugal
Facinating game between the neighbours. You'd expect most of Spains injury problems to be gone by this point though and Portugal are not the team they were. Should be straightforward but Ronaldo is the wild card.
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Holland Vs Brazil
Yep, it may go against all common sense but I think this is where Brazil ends. Holland have such attacking ability that I think it's possibly they'll simply outscore Brazil, one of the few teams that can. Of course it probably won't happen, but I'll definitely settle for just getting to see this game.
Uruguay Vs
England
England benefit from France not winning their group and get what should be another routine win over solid opposition.
Germany Vs Argentina
Germany came out victors when they met in 2006, causing a mass brawl after the game and you can expect more of the same here. Argentina may have won in Germany recently but this is a tournament.
Italy Vs Spain
Of all the teams for Spain to face, I think Italy are the ones they'd most like to avoid. Tactically Italy can do a job on anyone, they'd shut Spain down and try to take it to penalties. Spain have a notorious reputation for bottling big tournaments and this is the kind of game they'd lose. Incredibly, Italy march on again.
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Holland Vs England
You didn't really think England would win, did you?
Dutch firepower overcomes a creaking English defence and England can't strike back because of injuries.
Germany Vs Italy
Finally Italy can bugger off. Germany just have this habit of getting the job done and it's a step too far for the aging Italy squad.
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England Vs Italy
Speed, pace and power are too much for a team who've lost interest while England are detemined to go out on a win.
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Germany Vs Holland
They get the job done, don't they. An all-round solid German team get's the better of a Dutch team that finally chokes on the biggest occasion.
