It is time for my official baseless predictions. I have been way off track every time in the past so I warn you that if you are looking for validation of your gambling picks, a better bet would probably be to take the opposite of what I say and to bet your house on it!
Here we go!
Group A
This is the second toughest group to predict, as all four teams could very realistically expect a berth into the second round. The obvious favorites are France, champions in 1998 and runners-up in 2006. South Africa are the weakest on paper, after all they didn't even qualify for the African Cup of Nations last year, but they have the emotional home crowd advantage and that can never be underestimated, nor can all the favorable refereeing decisions that come with it (ask South Korea how well that worked out for them against Italy and Spain in 2002.) Then you have Uruguay, champions in 1930 and 1950. You can expect rough, physical matches with fouls galore against these guys. Mexico are always solid and hard to predict because only a few of their players play in the top European leagues while the rest play in Mexican league.
1) Uruguay
2) France
3) Mexico
4) South Africa
Group B
Argentina should win the group, despite their unstable coach (the great Diego Maradona.) Nigeria are playing on friendly soil but I don't think they have the talent to beat the under-rated South Koreans. Greece's disgusting defensive game travels to South Africa but it won't do well here, I'm still mad at them for making Euro 2004 into such a sad spectacle.
1) Argentina
2) South Korea
3) Nigeria
4) Greece
Group C
This one is easy (remember, don't take my picks to the bookies!) England and the United States are heavy favorites to progress over Slovenia and Algeria, but crazier things have happened. Slovenia are not to be under-estimated, they did knock out Russia in the qualifiers after all, and Algeria deprived three-peat African Cup winners Egypt from a spot in South Africa. Nonetheless, I expect the opening match of the group to decide who finishes first and who finishes second, with both England and the U.S. advancing comfortably. And, I'm going with the upset: USA ahead of England.
1) USA
2) England
3) Slovenia
4) Algeria
Group D
Germany are, of course, the favorites but the loss of Michael Ballack to injury will hurt their chances to progress far into the tournament. Serbia coasted through qualification, making France sweat for their spot. Ghana are fancied as the strongest African team but I myself am not convinced. Australia have some very good players playing abroad and are more dangerous every year. I do expect to see Germany prevail, and unfortunately for the African continent I'm afraid yet another African team bites the dust in round one at the hands of Serbia.
1) Germany
2) Serbia
3) Ghana
4) Australia
Group E
This, to me, is the dreaded "group of death", although most people believe that that honor belongs to group G. Everybody thinks the Netherlands are very serious contenders to win the cup, and they're right, this team is stellar, reminiscent to the Oranje teams of the 1970's. We also have Denmark in this group and I think they could provide that big surprise we see every World Cup. Cameroon, perennial emotional favorites of outsiders, are the best African team (in my most humble of opinions.) Then, we have Japan, another very solid team Honestly this group is a total toss-up for me, no permutation would surprise me. However, for the sake of picking something, I'll say... the Dutch (I can't bet against Robben, Sneijder, Van Bommel, etc etc etc) and... Denmark. Yes that's Euro-centric but like I said, I could easily see Cameroon and Japan shocking the world too.
1) Netherlands
2) Denmark
3) Cameroon
4) Japan
Group F
This really should be a walk in the park for the defending champs. Italy come in to the tourney with quite a few of the players that took the cup in 2006 with just enough new blood to be very serious contenders. The battle for second place will take place between Paraguay and Slovakia. Meanwhile, New Zealand have no chance, no chance at all, of advancing (hear that gamblers? bet it all on the kiwis!)
1) Italy
2) Slovakia
3) Paraguay
4) New Zealand
Group G
This is it, the so-called "group of death" (like I said though, that's group E.) North Korea is of course completely unpredictable but I doubt they'll repeat their crazy 1966 run since they have no chance against the likes of Brazil, Portugal, and Côte d'Ivoire. I don't think Portugal is that good this time so I pick Brazil and Côte d'Ivoire to advance. Of course, the media in Pyongyang will surely proclaim that their team won the tournament anyway, with the Dear Leader scoring 15 goals along the way.
1) Brazil
2) Côte d'Ivoire
3) Portugal
4) North Korea
Group H
Should be fairly easy for the European Champions. Honduras has little chance of joining Spain in the second round and I pick Chile to top Switzerland (Why, you ask? I don't know, maybe because they're playing in their own hemisphere? That's as good a reason as any since I have no idea who to pick.)
1) Spain
2) Chile
3) Switzerland
4) Honduras
Here we go with the knockout stage, I have no words to justify my picks:
Round-of-16
Uruguay d. South Korea
Serbia d. USA
Netherlands d. Slovakia
Brazil d. Chile
France d. Argentina
Germany d. England
Italy d. Denmark
Spain d. Côte d'Ivoire
Quarter-Finals
Serbia d. Uruguay
Netherlands d. Brazil
France d. Germany
Italy d. Spain
Semi-Finals
Netherlands d.Serbia
France d. Italy
Final
France d. Netherlands
Oh, by the way, have I mentioned that I'm French? :-)
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