I have titled this piece as one of the many stereotypes we hear whenever a World Cup comes around. The English have the passion, Portugal has the divers, the Italians just defend, the African sides have crazy goalkeepers, the Asian sides will get blown over by the wind and I could go on. But a couple of stereotypes that haven’t been so prominent this time round regards the two favourites.

Underachieving Spain will look fantastic before blowing it in the knockouts and Brazil will play football you can’t even dream about. This World Cup though, Brazil are talked about as a solid unit and Spain have the favourites tag. I admit I do like an occasional flutter, so I’m going to sum up South Africa 2010 the way I see it. I could go on forever about how I think each team will fare, so I’ll start by summing up the groups. 

 

Group A: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay and France

For me, this group is by far the hardest to predict. You have a host nation, hosting the first ever World Cup on their continent, a team full of talent and in seeming disarray, and two teams that could be considered dark horses. The vuvuzela’s will be out in force in Johannesburg today and a South African side lacking quality and experience in many areas, but not inspiration will be fighting for everything. Benni McCarthy has been omitted from the squad after eating too many bacon sarnies in East London cafes, which leaves South Africa likely to play with a lone striker in an attempt to level the playing field against their stronger opposition. After some impressive performances people have taken note of Mexico, their fluid formation and crisp technical ability, and after defeating Italy last week, they’ll take some stopping. Youngsters Vela and Dos Santos will need to step up for them for them to progress. France are a tough side to predict under the crazy management of Domenech. Reported fall outs and poor performances have been common in the French ranks recently, but there is no doubting the quality in their side. Uruguay possesses the prolific strike force of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez to get them the goals, but it remains to be seen whether their somewhat dated 3-5-2 formation can work for them. All of these sides have the potential to qualify. It is certainly not a group I’m going to bet on.
Winner: Uruguay
Qualify: France
One to Watch: Suarez (Uruguay)

Group B: Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece

Another difficult group to predict this one but even a Maradona led Argentina side should be able to get through. To have to attacking talent of Messi, Diego Milito, Tevez and Higuain in the same team is frightening and with Newcastle star Jonas Gutierrez in their ranks, no matter what Diego does, they should progress. Picking a second team is a bit more tricky though. The Nigerian side has always been packed with pace, and with a finisher like Yakubu in the team it should make for a decent unit. Greece have some big physical players and will play with an organised style but like opponents South Korea, they lack goal scoring potential. I really like South Korea though, the players work very hard for each other. National icon Park Ji Sung sums them up perfectly. South Korea could be dark horses for the quarters, playing one of Group A in the last 16.
Winner: Argentina
Qualify: South Korea
One to Watch: Park Chu-Young (South Korea)

Group C: England, USA, Slovenia and Algeria

To me this is a pretty straightforward group. Slovenia are organised but average and Algeria shouldn’t cause much problem for England either. We all know about England, and it will definitely be the USA who causes them problems. The USA are a better outfit at this World Cup than previous World Cups and will be difficult, but I’d expect both nations to qualify.

 

Winner: England
Qualify: USA
One to Watch: Landon Donovan (USA)

Group D: Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana

The German side of this tournament is one missing Michael Ballack, but it is a German side with more flair than we are used to with the talented Mesut Ozil being a creative presence. Cacau has recently come into the side up front and been a revelation so it will be interesting to see whether he is preferred to World Cup goal scorer Miroslav Klose. You can never write off the Germans is a common phrase and I certainly won’t be in this group. Australia are a shadow of their team four years ago and pose no threat whatsoever up front and Ghana are a young and hard working team but might find it too much without Michael Essien. Serbia seem to be everyones dark horses for this World Cup and it is easy to see why. Ivanovic and Vidic are part of a strong back four, their midfield is packed with talent including the exciting Milos Krasic and Zigic is a giant up front. They haven’t performed so well recently but an impressive qualification campaign has made us take note.
Winner: Germany:
Quality: Serbia
One to Watch: Milos Krasic (Serbia)

Group E: Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, and Cameroon

The Oranges should stroll this group with their fab four up front of Sneijder, Robben, Van Persie and Van Der Vaart, the latter who is sometimes swapped with Kuyt. I see no problems for them and can see them scoring a lot of goals. Japan have great ball retention and a decent set piece in Honda but will struggle for goals. Cameroon have been in the most disarray pre-tournament with threatened walk outs from star man Samuel Eto’o and I can see this being their downfall. Don’t be surprised to see Niklas Bendtner do well for Denmark and maybe even do enough to propel them into the next round as the focal point of their attack, despite possessing a side with ageing names such as Tomasson and Rommedahl.
Winner: Netherlands
Qualify: Denmark
One to Watch: Niklas Bendtner

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia

The Italians are perennial slow starters in World Cups but they have been handed a very favourable draw, and the aging side should have no problems, despite the lack of a goal scorer in their team. New Zealand are barely worth mentioning and I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t even score a goal this tournament. Rory Fallon and Chris Killen? No thanks. Paraguay were impressive in qualification and will definitely be in with a shout of that second spot, but the Slovakians have got enough good players in key areas to give them a strong chance in this group.
Winner: Italy
Qualify: Slovakia
One to Watch: Hamsik (Slovakia)

Group G: Ivory Coast, Portugal, Brazil and North Korea

Dubbed the group of death for this World Cup and poor old North Korea are a part of it. If you didn’t already know North Korea have selected an extra striker as one of their three goalkeepers to try and add depth to their squad. FIFA say he can only play in goal. What I’d give to see that. North Korea aren’t as bad as you might think and are a very defensive side, but all three other sides should be able to penetrate them comfortably. I expect Brazil to qualify they are a side who are strong in all areas. The fitness of Didier Drogba is a key issue for Ivory Coast and with the Ivory Coast’s first match being Portugal with Drogba likely to miss out, I’m backing Portugal to qualify with that game being the key game. Portugal have looked shaky but possess good quality players. But maybe, what is definitely a good Ivory Coast side can produce something special in their home continent. It would be nice for at least one African side to progress!
Winner: Brazil
Qualify: Portugal
One to Watch: Luis Fabiano (Brazil)

Group H: Honduras, Chile, Spain, Switzerland

Two things easily sort themselves out in this group. Honduras will fall short and Spain are exceptional. If you didn’t see the second goal against Poland earlier this week, it is well worth a look. Being able to fit Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso, Silva and Villa into the same team, whilst having Torres and Fabregas on the bench is depth no other side can match. They will sail through. The second spot is not so clear cut though. You have two complete opposites here. Chile were fantastic in Qualification finishing second behind Brazil in South America. Their 3-3-1-3 shape is as exciting as much as it is intriguing. The brilliant Sanchez will be a key player for them and they will have to rely on their creative talent for the system to work. On a completely different wavelength are the Swiss. Often described as boring, the Swiss have a habit of getting the job done and with 40 goals in 73 internationals Frei up front I can see the Swiss progressing with some narrow wins.
Winner: Spain
Qualify: Switzerland
One to Watch: Barnetta (Switzerland)


So those are the groups. It would be impossible to predict the knockout stages so I’m just going to sum up the main contenders and pick a winner.
Spain; Brilliant football, a fantastic international run, huge depth and technical ability. Would they be able to break down a sturdy Italian or Brazilian side? I think so.
Brazil ; The team to beat when the World Cup is not in Europe. Have some fantastic players and Dunga has instilled a lot of set piece quality which might give them the edge.
Argentina ; As we all know. Crazy manager, fantastic attacking talent, who will have to win it for them.
England ; I hate to say it, but as much as I want us to win it. I just can’t see it. If we came up against a side like Spain I just couldn’t see us touching the ball. Not quite enough quality.
Netherlands ; Great to watch, super football, not the greatest defence. Will go far.
Italy ; Ageing team but Lippi knows how to get the job done. The reigning champions will have their work cut out but have an outside chance.
France ; Superb talent in their team but too many factors work against them for me.
Portugal ; No.
And Finally...
The Germans ; You can never write them off, I can see them going far, but falling short.

It’s very difficult to pick a winner out of Brazil and Spain. Brazil’s set pieces might just give them the edge, but Spain have so much talent I’m going to plump for them.
World Cup Winner: Spain
As for the golden boot, there are many strong candidates. But since the Netherlands should stay in the competition awhile, have a relatively easy group and their striker is the focal point up front...
Top Scorer: Van Persie (I managed to get him when he was at 33/1!)

So there you have it. Get your mute buttons ready for the vuvuzela’s, and more importantly get the beers ready!

 

PS3N