While I'm Here... Predictions

I hadn't planned on doing any predictions because the point of this blog is more to humor people with the pitfalls of this process as well as discuss the games after I've watched them. But what the hell, I'm always up for some public embarrassment.

Group A

This group is absurd. I really could see anything happening. On the one hand, France is an international powerhouse and has a recent history of rebounding from early underachieving (see: group stage of 2006 World Cup, then everything else). On the other, they needed a blatant handball in a playoff to advance to the Cup and they're playing in a group where there is no guaranteed win. Mexico never seems to be the power people think they will be (the one seed in 2006 was preposterous) but they're far from pushovers. Uruguay had to beat Costa Rica in another playoff to get in, but they qualified in a group consisting of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Paraguay. Not exactly CONCACAF level competition. And South Africa is South Africa. Many people are saying they will be the first host nation to fail to advance, but there's a reason that stat exists. Anything could happen with them and probably will. I'll go with France and Mexico here, but wouldn't be shocked if things fell differently

First: France Second: Mexico


Group B

This group is all about Argentina. They have all the talent in the world, including the quasi-recently anointed "best player in the world.' But they have a crazy person as their coach. Seriously. A crazy person. Can they hit their stride and dominate or is this going to be a tournament of misfires? It doesn't help that they have two disciplined, experienced sides in the group in South Korea and Greece. Both are past their recent glory years (Greece's Euro04 victory and South Korea's memorable Cup run in 2002) but play smart, organized soccer and can counterattack. The (lesser) wild card is a capable Nigerian side that has talent but hasn't faced this level of competition. I'll go risky and say that Argentina stumbles early on as it tries to figure its own team out and Greece wins the group. But Argentina still moves on to the elimination rounds.

First: Greece Second: Argentina


Group C

Oh this group. This is the group I (obviously) care about the most. People are already talking about Algeria and Slovenia as also-rans and that's dangerous to do. While I tend to doubt that either side can make it through, they could easily pull off a surprise draw or win and put the fear of God into the bigger sides. But let's be honest: this is all about England and the United States. And England is better than the United States. No question. But that doesn't mean that the US can't win that game and this group. Howard, Donovan and Dempsey need to show up, of course, but they also need solid support play from their midfielders and steadier play in the back. Far too many balls fell to the ground inside their own six playing against Australia. I think that England still wins this group, but here's hoping the US makes that June 12th match a close one and then finishes out strong.

First: England Second: United States


Group D

I was thinking about typing "this is another interesting group" but this is the World Cup. They're all interesting, they're all capable of drama, and they're all fraught with peril. Germany is the obvious big dog here and they should pass through, although I could see them stumbling and making things interesting. Likewise, Australia is the obvious low man and probably won't make it through. But they gave the Italians a scare in 2006 and shouldn't be written off. The real interest, still, comes from Serbia and Ghana. If Michael Essien were healthy and playing, I would love Ghana's chances as I think Essien does not get enough credit as one of the game's best players worldwide. But with him out, I think Serbia's discipline puts them into the round of 16 instead.

First: Germany Second: Serbia


Group E

If Holland doesn't coast through this group and end in first place with nine points, we should be shocked, right? They are a quality, quality side and don't face consistent enough competition in this group. Japan, similar to Australia, seems to be the fourth place team in a group that's all about the fight for second. Cameroon has Samuel Eto'o (he has decided to play, right?) and in the end, I think that makes the difference over the Danes, one of those classic sides that can't match up talent to talent but can sneak games out with organization and the counterattack.

First: Holland Second: Cameroon


Group F

Seeing how the average age on the Italian team is roughly 53.7, this group is a lot more interesting than it may have been in the past. Of course they are still the favorites to win, but a mix-up would not be shocking. I doubt most Kiwis would even throw a twenty down on New Zealand to win the cup and personally, I wouldn't even do it for this group. Though Slovakia can play defense and steal a game somewhere, I'd be surprised if that's how things end up going down. I like a talented Paraguayan side to qualify for the second round and give the Italians a serious scare for first in the group.

First: Italy Second: Paraguay


Group G

While this is the group of death in most people's eyes, that status is limited severely by the injury to Didier Drogba and, well, North Korea. I would be shocked if the over/under for Total North Korean Goals is higher than 0.5. I still hesitate to call a team a non-factor in something as big as the World Cup, but I just don't see it happening. Brazil is so damn good and even in this group, should probably be a lock to move on. Then there's the injury to Nani, damaging Portugal's chance to move on just as Drogba's injury makes things difficult on the Ivory Coast. I've gone back and forth on this pick for so long, probably the toughest pick of the group stage, in my mind. Drogba is still playing which gives them an advantage, but then again, the injury is to Nani, not Chirstiano Ronaldo. In the end, I guess I'm taking Portugal though I would not be at all shocked to see it go the other way. Rough, rough draw for the most talented African side.

First: Brazil Second: Portugal


Group H

Good God do I love watching Spain play. Brazil may be the better pick for Cup winner because of their ability to play defense and their experience with World Cup success, but Spain plays the most beautiful soccer out of any team in this tournament. When you have Cesc Fabergas coming off the bench, your midfield is absolutely loaded. And it certainly doesn't hurt to have David Villa and Fernando Torres up top. They should obviously be favored to come through in first here, but Chile is a side that should most definitely not be underestimated. The Swiss are another one of those teams that can steal a game here and there and therefore always need to be considered. The question is, can they do it in the Cup and will it be enough to put them forward? I'd love to root for a CONCACAF team to go forward and shock the world, but I think Honduras is outmatched in this group. In the end, I'm taking the two most talented teams.

First: Spain Second: Chile


So there you have it. Feel free to completely disagree and feel free to bring this post up later on when everything has gone horribly wrong for me. That's obviously why I made it. Due to how the match-ups fall, I'll wait to analyze the single elimination tournament. However, I would be shocked if Brazil and Spain weren't in the final four and even the final two. We'll see how that holds up.

Incredibly excited for tomorrow. It's the World Cup.