Knockout stage predictions

Since I now know the actual bracket, I'll offer my picks for the knockout stage. My attitude has changed as a result of happenings in the group stage so some picks will be different.


Round of 16:


Uruguay over South Korea

USA over Ghana

Netherlands over Slovakia

Brazil over Chile

Argentina over Mexico

Germany over England

Paraguay over Japan

Spain over Portugal


Quarter-finals:


USA over Uruguay

Netherlands over Brazil

Argentina over Germany

Spain over Paraguay


Semi-finals:


Netherlands over USA

Argentina over Spain


Finals:


Netherlands over Argentina

Predictions so far.....

We'll take a look at the way things turned out and I'll either offer up excuses as to why I got it wrong, pat myself on the back, or maybe even own up and admit I just plain lost the plot.


Group A:

Uruguay
Mexico
South Africa
France

I got this one completely wrong. I just didn't have the guts to pick France to fail, despite huge reservations about them. I did correctly tag Uruguay as a darkhorse, but I underrated Mexico at the same time. South Africa became the first host country to fail to advance to the knockouts, but still did their country proud with a solid campaign. That opening goal scored by Tshabalala will be one of this tournament's defining moments.


Group B:

Argentina
South Korea
Greece
Nigeria

Argentina was a no brainer. I did pick South Korea to do well, but in the end I wanted to pick an African side to advance so I chose Nigeria. Nigeria were cruising against Greece before an insanely stupid red card ruined their hopes. I will always contend that they would've advance if not for that.


Group C:

USA
England
Slovenia
Algeria

I never though USA would WIN this group, but Group C proved unpredictable. Not necessarilly with who advanced, but how it played out. England were disappointing, Slovenia were better than expected, Algeria raised a few eye-brows, and the US never gave up.


Group D:

Germany
Ghana
Australia
Serbia

I tagged Serbia as a legitimate darkhorse. I said they'd top this group. They finished dead last in Group D. But I have an excuse! They absolutely gave their first game away agaisnt Ghana with a stupid handball penalty and a red card. That game effectively sealed their fate, and not even a suprise win over Germany could lift them up.


Group E:

Netherlands
Japan
Denmark
Cameroon

The Dutch didn't let me down, although without Robben they haven't looked themselves just yet. Denmark was right where they needed to be, beat Japan in the last game and they're in. Japan took it to the Danes though and earned a spot in the last 16. Japan has to be one of the revelations of the tournament. I did at least tip Keisuke Honda for success. That counts for something right?


Group F:

Paraguay
Slovakia
New Zealand
Italy

Nobody saw this one coming, no one. Italy joined France in having a miserable World Cup. I did pick Slovakia to take that 2nd spot, but how did I miss Paraguay. I underrated the South Americans big time. As for New Zealand, I said they wouldn't score a goal, or get a point. They proved me wrong, going unbeated (with 3 draws) and not 1, but 2 goals scored! Hats off the the Kiwis, you did your country proud.


Group G:

Brazil
Portugal
Ivory Coast
North Korea

I got this group spot on. I was correct in playing down the hype around the Ivory Coast. Drogba wasn't 100 percent, and their cohesiveness as a unit wasn't there.


Group H:

Spain
Chile
Switzerland
Honduras

Another 100 percent record for me! But really, this group fell as it should've, apart from the Swiss win over Spain. The Spaniards did make things hard on themselves, but came back and won the group.

And your 2010 World Cup champions will be.....

My official predictions. Some of my picks actually don't reflect what I wrote in my breakdowns. This is due to the fact that I've changed my mind slightly on some teams. For instance, I originally didn't pick any African teams to reach the round of 16. You'll see that has changed slightly.


Group A:

1. France
2. Uruguay
3. Mexico
4. South Africa

Group B:

1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. South Korea
4. Greece

Group C:

1. England
2. USA
3. Slovenia
4. Algeria

Group D:

1. Serbia
2. Germany
3. Australia
4. Ghana

Group E:

1. Netherlands
2. Denmark
3. Cameroon
4. Japan

Group F:

1. Italy
2. Slovakia
3. Paraguay
4. New Zealand

Group G:

1. Brazil
2. Portugal
3. Ivory Coast
4. North Korea

Group H:

1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Switzerland
4. Honduras


Round of 16:

2B Nigeria over 1A France

1C England over 2D Germany

1E Netherlands over 2F Slovakia

1G Brazil over 2H Chile

1B Argentina over 2A Uruguay

2C United States over 1D Serbia

1F Italy over 2E Denmark

1H Spain over 2G Portugal


Quarter-finals:


England over Nigeria

Netherlands over Brazil

Argentina over USA

Spain over Italy


Semi-finals:


Netherlands over England

Spain over Argentina


Final:


Netherlands over Spain


The Dutch, Holland, Netherlands, call them whatever you want, they're my pick to win it all this year. So why do I pick the Dutch? To the casual fan this may seem like an odd pick. What about Brazil? Spain? Italy? Argentina? Let me assure you, Holland is in the same category as those teams in the world's view. This is not by any means a pick out of left field. Here's why...

No team in this tournament boasts the offensive talent of the Dutch. And it might not even be close. Where do we even start?

How about with two players who led their respective clubs to the Champions League final?

Just one year ago, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder were shown the door at Real Madrid. Sold to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in order to usher in the signings of Ronaldo and Kaka, among others. Although Real Madrid may not regret the decision, the German and Italian sides are probably still busy writing thank you notes to Madrid. With Robbens's mazy runs from the right wing and Sneijder's pin-point precision with assists, the Dutch are led by two of the most in-form superstars in the world.

How about depth in the midfield which no other team can boast?

Rafael Van der Vaart may start, but if not he will feature off the bench. The attacking midfielder has been spectacular for country in the past. The defensive midfield is strong as well. Mark Van Bommel and Nigel de Jong are tough tackling d-mids who protect the more attacking oriented players in front of them. They know their role and do it well.

How about young, up-and-coming stars who are wanted by every big club in Europe?

Ibrahim Afellay and Eljero Elia will introduce themselves to the world coming off the bench. Both players will soon find themselves at a big European club after the World Cup.

How about one of the most dynamic strikers in the world, and a more than worthy back up?

Robin van Persie may be the tourament's top scorer before its all said and done. The Arsenal forward has a cannon for a left foot and the creativity to create goals for himself. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a bench option who's style differs from van Persie in that he poaches goals in the box.

How about a defense that is no longer a blatent weakness?

John Heitinga and Joris Mathijsen are a reliable pair in central defense. Greg Van der Wiel is one of the most sought after young right-backs in the football world and while Giovanni von Bronkhorst may be just a little past his expiration date, he's still a more than capable left-back.

How about the recent results to back up all my claims?

Ya all this talent is nice, but how has it translated on the field of late? The answer is: really well. They didn't lose a game in qualifying, a perfect 8 wins in 8 games. Yes, their group wasn't that great, but 8 of 8 can't be ignored. The Euro 2008tournament was Holland's coming out party. They demolished France and Italy with a deadly counter-attack and slick passing. Unfortunately, they ran into tactical extraordinaire Guus Hiddink, a Dutchmen himself, who coached the Russian team which knocked them out. No manager of that calibre will be at the helm in South Africa, and the Dutch are all the better for it. The most recent match Holland played? A 6-1 demolition of Hungary. The perfect tune-up for the World Cup.

The Dutch come into this tournament brimming with confidence, dripping with talent, and the perfect blend of youth and experience to win the World Cup. The Dutch forward line is good enough to terrify any defense in the world and their own defense is no longer an obvious weakness. That is why the Dutch will be your 2010 FIFA World Cup champions.

Everythng you need to know about Group H

The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group H.



Group H:

Chile: 5,000-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Chile can flat out score with the best of em. They finished second in the South American qualifying stage just behind Brazil. They have attacking talend du jour with Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez. Sanchez was a star player at the U-20 world cup in 2007, a tournament in which Chile took 3rd place. So they have a talented crop of youngsters in the squad. Arturo Vidal is another from that team who adds steel to the midfield. Chile's biggest strength is their attacking mentality, they have no plan B.

Why they won't:

Their biggest strength is their biggest weakness. They scored a ton of goals in qualifying, but they also gave up a ton of goals. All that attacking opens up scoring oppurtunities for the opposition through counter attacking. Chile's defense just isn't good enough to hold the lead all the time.

Projection:

Luckily for Chile, this is a group in which they can play to their strengths, apart from Spain. Chile should be able to simply attack without reservations against Honduras and Switzerland. Look for Chile to take second in this group and bow out in the round of 16.

Honduras: 1 million-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

With those odds, they aren't going to win it, but I'll try my best here. They do have some talented players in battering ram midfielder Wilson Palacios and striker David Suazo. So it's not as if they are a team full of scrubs. Their strength, or strategy I should say is their defense. They hang back for much of the match and play on the counter.

Why they won't:

This is a below average team. They barely made it to the World Cup out of an easy qualification region. Suazo, one of their best players, is frustratingly inconsistent. Palacios will always control his area but that's not enough. They've also been losing left and right in friendlies with losses to Turkey, Venezuela, and Romania.

Projection:

Enjoy your stay in South Africa, Honduras. You won't be there past the group stage. They just aren't as good as any of the other teams in this below average group. Expect to see Honduras finish at the bottom of Group H.

Spain: 4-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Spain comes in as the favorites, along with Brazil, and with good reason. They won the European Championship two years ago and haven't looked back since (apart from that loss to USA last year of course). This team is probably the most talented in the tournament, with world class players in every position. The attack is led by David Villa and Fernando Torres. These are two of the finest strikers in the world. The midfield might be even better with Xavi, Iniesta, and Xabi Alonso. The fact that Cesc Fabregas is available as a super substiture underlines how stacked this team is. The defense is solid with the towering Gerard Pique leading the backline, and with Iker Casillas as the goalie, they are hard to score on. Spains biggest strength is their ability to pass and keep possession. Taking the ball off them is the hardest part.

Why they won't:

Spain has a long history for underachieving. They've often had one of the most talented teams in the tournament, but their best ever finish at a World Cup is reaching the quarterfinals. That is astounding. Winning the Euros most likely put this current squad at ease, but the question remains, will Spain underachieve like always?

Projection:

This isn't the Spain of the past. They are the favorites for a reason and proved it in their last friendly in which they embarrassed Poland 6-0. Spain won't disappoint this time around because their passing game is just too good. Don't be suprised to see Spain have 60 percent of the possession in their games. This may be Spain's year, finally. They'll reach the semi-finals at least, and look for them to perhaps win it all.







Switzerland: 5,000-1 odds


Why they'll win it:

The Swiss are a well organized squad who will be hard to break down. They feature quality midfielders like Gohkan Inler and Gelson Fernandes who can both create and defend. Alexander Frei always comes to play for country and will lead the attack well. The defense is rigid, if a bit slow, but goalie Diego Benaglio is a steadying force in net.

Why they won't:

They are organized, but don't have the talent to compete against top teams. They advanced to the World Cup in an easy qualifying group featuring minnows like Moldova, Israel, and Latvia. They struggled to score against those teams, so don't expect too many exciting games for the Swiss. They just don't have much for creatitivity in the side.

Projection:

The Swiss will compete for the final qualification spot in this below average group. The match against Chile will likely determine who makes it. Don't expect the Swiss to entertain you however, and if they do make it past the group state look for them to bow out in the next match.

Tune in tomorrow for my pick to win the World Cup.

Everything you need to know about Group G.

The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group G.


Group G:

Brazil: 4-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Brazil flies into the World Cup as one of the favorites to take home the title, which is nothing new. This perennial soccer power is drastically different than it's predecessors however. This Brazil is built on defense. Lucio is among the world's best central defenders and anchors a burly back line. Maicon and Dani Alves are the two best right backs in the world, so it's a shame only one can play at a time. Kaka and Robinho are the creative forces and bring all the flair that's needed. Luis Fabiano isn't the flashiest of strikers, but he gets the job done, and Julio Caesar could be the best keeper in the world at the moment. Friendlies have also been encouraging, with wins over England and Ireland.

Why they won't:

Both Kaka and Robinho experienced difficult seasons with new clubs which raises major concerns. The defensive midfield is also very suspect with Felipe Melo in particular having a disastrous season at Juventus. The coach, Dunga, is also a bit of a question. His tactics have created perhaps the most boring Brazil side in two decades. His team selection could be suspect too, as he snubbed two hugely talented players in Ronaldinho and Pato.

Projection:

Brazil was unlucky to draw the "group of death", but they should have no problems advancing. Though they won't dazzle us like years past, this Brazil can grind out results better than any team in the world. This was most evident at last years Confederations Cup which Brazil won. Look for Brazil to once again make a run at the title.





Ivory Coast: 100-1 odds




Why they'll win it:

The Elephants from Cote D'Ivoire are a popular dark horse pick to win it in South Africa and the major reason why is Didier Drogba. The powerful striker may be the best in the world at his position. The rest of the squad is nothing to laugh at either. Yaya Toure has enjoyed a couple good seasons with Barcelona and will anchor the defensive midfield spot, while brother Kolo is the teams leader in defense. One player to watch for a breakout performance is Gervinho, who's been lighting up the French league for years.

Why they won't:

Though a popular darkhorse pick, I don't really see why. Besides Drogba of course, a lot of the team had difficult years at club level and haven't played great in recent matches. This team was favored to win the African Cup in January and underachieved. They got beaten soundly by South Korea recently too. I just can't see this team hanging with the big boys.

Projection:

Though they aren't quite the contender that people think they are, they are a solid team capable of putting a good run of games together. Drogba alone is enough to be afraid of this team and I still see them battling for the second qualification spot in this tough group. Maybe having the Cup hosted on African soil will rally this team into a deep run though.





North Korea: none




Why they'll win it:

North Korea shocked the world back in 1966 when they beat Italy and nearly knocked off Portugal. Could something magical happen again? Nope. The defense on this team is actually really good though. It's not like they're New Zealand or anything, but they have absolutely no shot at winning.

Why they won't:

Have you seen this group? It's loaded. North Korea is the odd man out by far. Their biggest strength is defense, but Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast should be able to negate that with ease. It's unfortunate for the Koreans that they were drawn into such a tough group. They could scare many other sides, but not these three.

Projection:

Unless Kim Jong-il suits up, they won't come anywhere near advancing. Though I've been negative about this team, I still wouldn't be suprised to see them get a good result in one of the three games. That won't stop them from finishing last in this group of death.





Portugal: 25-1 odds





Why they'll win it:

They have a great defense, but let's not kid ourselves, Cristiano Ronaldo is the reason they have a chance. Though Messi has taken his throne as world's best player, C. Ronaldo had an outstanding first year at Real Madrid and will be ready to make his mark on the grand stage. Bruno Alves and Carvalho will handle the defensive duties in central defense. A win over Cameroon signalled that they are ready and prepared to go far.

Why they won't:

Coach, Queiroz is not the most popular of men in Portugal. He's made some interesting choices for the team and his style has not rubbed off well on his team. Cristiano Ronaldo is among the best players in the world, but he somehow hasn't scored a goal for Portugal since 2008. That will need to change. They also recently had a goalless draw against Cape Verde, and Cape Verde is not a very good team at all.

Projection:

This isn't the Portugal of 2006. The expectations are far lower, but they still have a fighting chance because of their talisman Ronaldo. They will battle for second with Ivory Coast, and likely advance to the knockouts. Don't expect too far of a run for the Portuguese though.

Everything you need to know about Group F.

The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group F.

Group F:

Italy: 15-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

The defending World Cup champions are back and filled with experience. Many of the stalwarts from '06 return for further glory, including center back Fabio Cannavaro. The defense will be key as always for the Azzuri. The midfield is another strength with Daniele De Rossi of Roma fame having a propensity for belting a goal in from the midfield. There is also the fact that Gianluigi Buffon will keep the Italians in every match

Why they won't:

The strikers of '10 are not in the same class as their '06 counterparts. Alberto Gilardino is the headliner, and that may spell trouble. The coach, Marcelo Lippi, inexplicably left out some great talents from the squad. In particular, Antonio Cassano, who is among the most technically gifted forwards in the world. This Azzuri squad just isn't as good as in '06. They also lost to Mexico pretty badly in a recent friendly. Not a good sign.

Projection:

Italy is not as dangerous as years past, but they were extremely fortunate to draw perhaps the easiest group in the tourney. They may fall to 2nd in Group F, but even thats unlikely. Look for Italy to fall in the quarters.

New Zealand: No odds whatsoever

Why they'll win it:

The All Whites are a stout defensive squad and......let's not even kid ourselves. New Zealand won't win it. They have some players from lower English leagues and that isn't going to get it done. Even I can't come up with a list of reasons why New Zealand might win it. Chris Killen might get a goal or something though. Oh and they had a fluke win over Serbia in a friendly.

Why they won't:

They aren't good enough. It's that simple. They advanced to the Cup because of a simple qualifying group including New Caledonia (which I believe is a suburb near the Twin Cities), Fiji, and Vanuatu. They've lost pretty much every friendly (apart from that Serbia win which I'm trying to sweep under the rug). There are way too many reasons to write concerning why they won't win. That's all you need to know.

Projection:

They will not score a goal in the World Cup. They will finish last in this group. They will be happy to be here. Mark it in stone.

Paraguay: 25,000-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Paraguay features some talented players. In particular, Roque Santa Cruz didn't have a great year at Man City, but he leads the attack and is capable of winning some games. They had a pretty good qualifying campaign and ended up finishing well above Argentina. They've also had a few good friendly results, beating Greece and North Korea.

Why they won't:

One of their biggest reasons for success was striker Salvador Cabanas. Unfortunately, Cabanas is missing out on the World Cup because of a gunshot wound to the head suffered earlier this year. The tragic event could motivate the squad, but his absence will surely be missed. Couple that with the weaknesses of the team in general and Paraguay's chances are looking slim.

Projection:

Paraguay is a capable squad, but I don't see them knocking off Italy or Slovakia. 3rd place is the likely position here.

Slovakia: 1,000-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Marek Hamsik should be a lot more famous than he is. The talented Slovak has been lighting up the Italian league for years now. You can bank on a breakout performance from this guy, and he could very well lead this team to a suprise finish. The defense is also solid with Martin Skrtel of Liverpool fame anchoring the back line.

Why they won't:

Apart from match-winner Hamsik, the rest of the squad is rather ordinary. The strikers aren't reliable and the defense is beatable. They can hang with most squads for awhile, but I can't see them actually beating a top 10 team in the world.

Projection:

The Slovaks are easily the 2nd best team in a bad group. Finishing out of 2nd place would be a disgrace. Look for this team to finish 2nd and then bow out in the round of 16.

Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group G.

Everything you need to know about Group E.

The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group E.


Group E:





Cameroon: 15,000-1 odds





Why they'll win it:

Samuel Eto'o remains one of the world's deadliest strikers, despite a disappointing first season at Inter Milan. Any team with Eto'o stands a chance to a certain degree. In midfield, Alex Song of my beloved Arsenal anchors the midfield. Song had a great year at the London club and proved to be one of the best young defensive midfielders in the world. Goalkeeper is another big strength, with Carlos Kameni between the sticks.

Why they won't:

Eto'o is great, but he's not a creator. He needs distribution from the midfield to be successful. I don't see that in this Cameroon side. Song is the best they have in midfield, but he's of the defensive variety. Recent friendlies have not been impressive either, with losses to Portugal and Serbia.

Projection:

With Eto'o I can't count them out completely, but Cameroon just doesn't have what it takes to make the knockout stage. I see them finishing 3rd in this group.






Denmark: 500-1 odds





Why they'll win it:

The Danes suprised everyone by finishing above Portugal in their qualifying group. They are strong in most departments, especially defense. At 21 years of age, Simon Kjaer is one of the best young defenders in the world. Look for him to have a breakout tournament. At 18 years old, Christian Eriksen is the youngest player in the tourney, and will be a super sub coming off the bench. Look for this kid to be a star come 5 years from now. Striker Nicklas Bendtner has a tremendous scoring record for country which I wish he could replicate for Arsenal.

Why they won't:

They are pretty good in every department, but masters in none. The midfield is very steely, but red cards could be in the offing that's for sure. Bendtner is notorious for fluffing his chances in front of goal, which can be a nightmare at times. Recent results don't do them favors either. They've lost to South Africa, Austria, and Australia.

Projection:

Recent losses aside, this team is solid. They don't have a glaring weakness in any department. This is a possible darkhorse team, and they should advance to the knockouts with a second place finish in the group.

Japan: 5,000-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

The Samurai are a technically gifted side who can maintain possession against most teams. Striker, Keisuke Honda is coming off a great year at CSK Moscow and will be looking to emerge as a star. Shunsuke Nakamura will be as dangerous as ever on free kicks and the defense can attack with the best of em.

Why they won't:

Honda is capable of a wonder goal, but he's not the most prolific of strikers. Indeed no one is on Japan. They can keep possession, but it often doesn't lead to anything. They've also had a dreadful run of games of late, losing to Serbia, South Korea, England, and Ivory Coast. That means they're 0-4 against World Cup teams in friendlies. Not good. Oh ya, and Japan has never won a World Cup match on foreign soil.

Projection:

Japan is capable of an upset, but I don't see them advancing to the knockout stage. They will put up a fight for the 2nd spot, but I can't see them pulling it off. History says they don't travel well, and I'm going with history on this one.






Netherlands: 5-1 odds






Why they'll win it:

Holland, Netherlands, the Dutch, doesn't matter what we call them, this team is the real deal. Arjen Robben is a world player of the year candidate after his masterful year at Bayern Munich, and Wesley Sneijder of Inter is right there with him. The Holland attack is simply loaded. My favorite player, Robin van Persie leads the line after recovering from an injury earlier in the year and Rafael Van der Vaart rounded into form at Real Madrid at just the right time to make a splash here. Even the defense is looking suprisingly good. They didn't lose a game in qualifying or in recent friendlies either.

Why they won't:

The defense is suprisingly good because we're used to them being a big question mark. The Dutch can outscore any team in the world, but can the defense keep out enough goals to win games? The Euro tourament is a prime example, as the attack wowed people, the D did them in against Russia. There is also the issue of Robben's recent hamstring injury. We'll find out the extent of that tomorrow.

Projection:

The Dutch will be the most entertaining side in the tourney. No other team boasts the attacking talent of this side. They do have a history of coming up short, but the Dutch should fly through this group. A title run is in the books for this team, and you should expect to see them in the semis at least. By all means, try catch some of this team's games. You will be entertained.


Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group F.

Everything you need to know about Group D.

The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, and the idea was born. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group D.

Group D:

Australia: 200-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

The Aussies will have 2006 fresh in their minds. It was in Germany at the last World Cup where they played toe-to-toe with the eventual champions, Italy. Only a late dive by an Italian which earned a penalty prevented Australia from a penalty shootout. From there, anything could've happened. Though they didn't win that match, much respect was earned. Australia is a rugged side led by midfielder Tim Cahill. Cahill is one of the best headers of the ball in the world so watch out for him on set pieces. The Aussie defense allowed just one goal in qualifying, so that must be included among their strenghts. They also recently defeated the Dutch in a friendly.

Why they won't:

They're solid at goalie, defense, midfield, and.........what's missing? Oh ya, attack. They don't have a prolific striker to speak of. Joshua Kennedy is the best they can do. The journeyman striker is not who you want to rely on to win games. The midfield is capable of doing the scoring, but that can be a risky proposition.

Projection:

The Aussies have enough discipline and ruggedness to play with most teams, and this should spell a fairly successful tourney for them. Group D is sneakily good, but I see Australia taking second and bowing out in round of 16 again.

Germany: 25-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

"German efficiency". This is the perfect stereotype to describe German soccer. You can never count out the Germans because they simply find a way to advance. They've advanced to the knockout stage in every single World Cup since 1954, finished 3rd on home soil 4 years ago, and took 2nd in the European Championship. Germany is a star studded team is every department. The attack is once again led by Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. This pair has proven to be quiet "efficient" in the past. Midfield is a bit bare now that Michael Ballack is out due to injury, but look for Bastian Schweinsteiger (by the way, that last name translates to "pig seller" in German) and Mesut Ozil to have good tournaments. In defense, Philipp Lahm is one of the best left backs in the tournament, and world for that matter.

Why they won't:

The loss of Ballack may be more of a problem than I led on. He was the captain and leader of the squad for years and it's tough to call how the rest of the team will respond. Also, a loss to Argentina at home in a recent friendly rose some question marks as to how good this team is. Indeed it does seem that this German team is down in comparison to 4 or even 2 years ago. The defense in particular is not soundest of backlines.

Projection:

Remember that 1954 stat? Well it isn't ending here. Group D is solid, but Germany is clearly the cream of the crop. They will grind out the wins and advance with ease atop Group D. From there, I believe they have the squad to make a run at the cup, but a quarterfinals finish is most likely. Maybe even the semis if the draw is favorable.

Ghana: 25,000-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Ghana took home the U-20 World Cup last year. Their immense talent at the youth level will couple with the old guard to form a solid squad. Though much of the team that won at U-20 level isn't quite ready to perform at this stage, there are a couple players ready to step up. The defense is youthful, but were solid at the African Championships. The midfield is a little bare now that Michael Essien is out, but Sulley Muntari can fill in.....kind of. Look for Asamoah Gyan to have a good tourney as Ghana's main scoring threat.

Why they won't:

Remember Germany's problem? Well Ghana is in the same boat. Michael Essien is the Michael Ballack of Ghana, which is ironic because they both play their club soccer at Chelsea. Essiens absence is devastating for the Black Stars, he was the main reason why they gave Brazil a scare in the last 16 in 2006. Without him, Ghana is left toothless. A 4-1 loss at the hands of Holland is further evidence of this.

Projection:

Ghana will be inspired and hopeful of winning it on their home continent, but it's not going to happen. The loss of Essien is just too much for them to overcome. The youngsters should use this experience and be ready for the future, because they have the potential to win it.

Serbia: 200-1 odds

Why they'll win it:

Can you say "darkhorse"? Because Serbia might be one. They qualified in their group ahead of France, feature one of the best midfields in the tourney, and have an underrated defense. The aforementioned midfield is jampacked with talent, with Milan Jovanovic, Dejan Stankovic, and Milos Krasic. Krasic in particular is one of the most sought after players in Europe after a spectacular year at CSK Moscow. The defense is stout, with Nemanja Vidic and Branislav Ivanovic of Man U and Chelsea fame forming a tight unit which will be hard to outmuscle. In attack is 6 foot 8 inch Nikola Zigic, who will obviously be a force in the air.

Why they won't:

A recent loss to lowly New Zealand almost made me cool off my praise of this team, but let's assume that was just a blip on the radar. Though Zigic is monstrously tall, he's awkward with his feet (understandable). That means the midfield will have to supply goals, which they're more than capable of. Vidic can be dominant, but he's also got a temper which can lead to red cards. You can't have that lack of discipline in a tourney like this.

Projection:

That New Zealand loss almost made me give up my darkhorse talk, but I'm sticking to my guns. that midfield is jampacked, and the defense is more than reliable. Zigic isn't prolific, but look for Krasic to introduce himself to the world with a great tournament. Serbia appears headed for a quarterfinals finish, and could indeed be the "darkhorse" of the tournament.

Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group E.

Everything you need to know about Group C

The best way of breaking down each group is giving what I believe each teams odds are of winning the World Cup. This idea sprang to me when some friends were asking me about which teams I think might win it this year. They asked about Greece, to which I responded, "I would give you 200-1 odds at one dollar that they won't win it." Well, they took that bet, because they're looking at 200 bucks if Greece wins. But without further ado, let's take a look at Group C.

Group C:







Algeria: 250,000-1 odds







Why they'll win it:

The Desert Foxes from Algeria are deadly down the left side of the field and have an abundance of speed elsewhere. Nadir Belhadj is one of the best attacking left backs in the tournament. Ahead of him is Karim Ziani, who is a talented enigma in left midfield. With these two overlapping, the opposition left side had better be good.

Why they won't:

The Algerians are one of the most inconsistent teams in the tournament. They knocked off a great Egypt team to advance to the World Cup, then got demolished by them in the African championship in January. Recent results do them even less justice. They've been beaten soundly by both Serbia and Ireland with matching 3-0 scorelines. Inconsistency does not spell success in the World Cup. Even their talented left side is known for lapses in form. Ziani in particular is notorious for not living up to his potential. They also have a nasty reputation as being a dirty team. You can't pick up stupid cards in the World Cup because it will come back to kill you.

Projection:

Though they can certainly put together a few good matches, their inconsistency will always come back to haunt them. They're more likely to find themselves in last place in Group C than in the top 2 spots. Don't expect Algeria to advance.







England: 8-1 odds







Why they'll win it:

The English invented the beautiful game, and happen to be very good at it. They are among the favorites in every tournament, and will be looking to win their first World Cup since 1966. Wayne Rooney had his best season to date and has to be included in the discussion for the world's best players. He will lead the attack alongside superstars Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard. All three are among the best players in the English Premier League. The defense is headlined by John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Ashley Cole. This is a star studded squad and matches up with the world's best in nearly every category.

Why they won't:

The English media would have us believe the English players are Gods among men. That isn't quite the case. Many of them are overrated by a press corp which loves hyperbole. Rooney does have very slight injury concerns. He should be fine, but the worry is still there. Lampard and Gerrard have not gelled well in the past, but coach Fabio Capello has seemingly found a way to make it work. John Terry's career has took a turn for the worse since his tabloid scandal. Further defensive worries cropped up when Rio Ferdinand was ruled out for the tourney due to injury. All these concerns add up to a degree of uncertaintly about just how good this squad is. A loss to Brazil and some unconvincing wins against low level teams adds further question marks. Finally, goalie is always a major concern.

Projection:

England's players may be slightly overrated by their crazed press, but that shouldn't diminish the talent which they do possess. Rooney in particular is one of the few players in the world who can carry a team to a title. If his injury concerns are indeed behind him, England will be a threat to win it all. First place in Group C will likely come easy at least. Look for England to make it to the quarters at least, and don't be suprised to see them take the cup home for the first time since '66.






Slovenia: 100,000-1







Why they'll win it:

Slovenia's great tactical organization is their biggest strength. They are a side without a single star player, but they play well as a team and can be physically imposing. Striker Mile Novakovic is a towering presence up front while goalie Samir Handanovic is supremely underrated. In qualification, the defense allowed just 4 goals in 10 games, a mark that was among the best in the world. Still, they were forced to squeak out a win over a good Russia team to advance in a playoff.

Why they won't:

The defense is good, but to win you need to score. They don't have an offensive spark and that is a big problem. They may have to rely on set pieces which should not be counted as a reliable goal scoring option.

Projection:

Slovenia's stout defense and great goalkeeper can keep them competitive for awhile, but a more talented team should put them away eventually. I see them fighting for the second spot in this group alongside USA, but just falling short.





United States: 100-1 odds







Why they'll win it:

A second place finish in the Confederations Cup just a year ago leaves team USA high in confidence. Only a Brazil comeback kept them from winning the World Cup tune-up event. USA's biggest strength is it's intense work ethic. What the player's lack in skill, they make up for with a never say die attitude. Starting at the back, Tim Howard is among the world's best goal keepers. Oguchi Onyewu is back healthy in the defense along with captain Carlos Bocanegra. Landon Donovan is the player who will need to be at top form in order for the US to win. He had an eye opening campaign at Everton this year and might be in the best form of his life. Jozy Altidore leads the attack at just 20 years of age. He's got the pace and instincts to make a splash here.

Why they won't:

Since the Confed Cup, they haven't exactly lit the world on fire. You'd think they'd ride that momentum to more victories, but it didn't happen. Losses to Honduras, Netherlands, and Czech Republic in friendlies were disappointing, although the "A" team wasn't playing in most of those games. The trouble with the USA is the same as always, what do they do against the big teams? They don't match up in most departments against the top teams. They are a second tier team and need to work their tails off to replicate that Spain upset a year ago. Also, Altidore's sprained ankle leaves the attack in panic mode at this point. If he isn't good to go by the England game, my odds for the US would plummet.

Projection:

The Americans will have no excuses if they can't make it out of this group. Slovenia and Algeria are beatable, and the England match-up should be a tight affair. If they can start the tournament off with a shock against England, look out. Just like last year, they could ride the momentum to a cup run. I see the USA taking second in Group C and making it to the quarter finals.



Tune in tomorrow for my breakdown of Group D.