Monday, December 9, 2013

World Cup predictions!!

So yeah this is officially my first post on this blog, as I've been exhausted with work (Bon Bon here btw) :)

Anyways the Groups have been announced, so here's what I predict for this upcoming World Cup.

Group A
1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon


If Brazil performs superb like the Confed 2013, they are true finalists

Like seriously, with Mexico in such shit form this seems very likely, unless Croatia fails to adapt to the climate and the others take advantage of it. If climate severely effects these Croatians than Cameroon could be surprise runner ups of this group. 
Many European teams will have a torrid time compared to the other countries, thats for sure.

Team to watch from this group - Brazil. I mean, hosts, contenders, excellent form... what else?

Group B
1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Netherlands
4. Australia


Chile could even win the group with these climatical advantages

I wouldn't say this in normal conditions, but for this World Cup with the climate, the pitch condition, and the massive home support for the South American teams, this outcome can happen. The only reason I picked Spain above the Netherlands is the difference of squad depth, and with Spain having the advantage of playing here earlier in the confederations cup. Chile is also an impressive side, so the Netherlands does have quite a chance to be knocked out early. Australia... well I feel bad for them honestly. I mean they park the bus against Japan, lose 6 - 0 to Brazil and France.. don't see them even getting a point in this group.

Team to watch from this group - Chile. They actually have a chance to even win the group. Either ways they are an entertaining team to watch for the neutrals.

Group C
1. Colombia
2. Japan
3. Ivory Coast
4. Greece

If these two self-destruct.. Japan could end up in the bottom, unless Honda and Kagawa score more than they concede, which is pretty unlikely...

I may be biased for putting Japan ahead of Ivory Coast, but I just think this would happen, Japan does have a great record against African sides. But again, this group is such an even group, all teams have the chance to win it, and all teams have a chance to lose all games honestly.
Anyways, I think Colombia will probably win the group (skill level, home advantage). They can park the bus if they want to, and still win 2 - 0, 3 - 0 with the likes of Falcao doing all the job.

Japan's hopes will be on the defense lines' hands, as the center backs self destruct sometimes... if that doesn't happen then Japan are through the group stages for sure, maybe even winning the group.
Ivory Coast has an equal chance as Japan to go past the group stages, and Yaya Toure will be the key man for it.
Greece... well I know they have improved alot but they aren't that great of a side in my opinion. And the climate will strike them too.. so I really don't see them going past the group stages. 


Team to watch from this group - Japan. They can surprise the world if everything goes well. The only Asian side willing to play offensive, possession football.

Group D
1. Uruguay
2. Italy
3. England
4. Costa Rica


I personally think England needs him, and if picked, he will decide England's fate along with Wayne Rooney in the tournament

The original skill level + the climate and support advantage, Uruguay are going to be the winners to me. Italy has suffered in this condition in the Confederations Cup, but they still managed to capture 3rd place of the tournament. I just don't see how England can topple these two teams, even if these two teams didn't have all these advantages. But again, they can prove me wrong, with the likes of Rickie Lambert (if he gets picked).. players who will play their heart out for their country and give everything they've got, never dying fighting spirit. 
Costa Rica... All I can say is may god save you, hopefully you guys earn a point or something. 

Team to watch from this group - England. On paper, on form.. they are below Uruguay and Italy. They do have the players to turn it around, its just if they can find the right formula and if they can execute it or not.

Group E
1. France
2. Switzerland
3. Ecuador
4. Honduras


With Benaglio's heroics, Switzerland could even win the group

I seriously feel that Blatter and Platini had something planned here... but anyways I don't think Ecuador can even go past the group stages, even with this support and the climatical advantages. Switzerland have low work rate compared to the other European teams anyways, so I doubt they'll get affected with the climate as much as teams like the Netherlands do. France will probably win the group, unless they get another team fight and end up in the bottom of the group.
Honduras... I don't even know how they qualified above Mexico (even though they were in absolute shit form), get a point from this tournament and I say thats job well done.


Team to watch from this group - Ecuador. Why? They might actually ruin Blatter and Platini's plan for getting the two teams in to the knockouts :P

Group F
1. Argentina
2. Bosnia - Herzegovina
3. Nigeria
4. Iran


These 3 players will be crucial for Bosnia's campaign, oh, and don't forget Pjanic!

Unless something goes terribly wrong, Argentina will win the group for sure. No doubt.
The second place spot will be fought, and I predict it will be pretty even. Bosnia has the better squad, but these climates can affect heavily on these Eastern Europeans, and Nigeria can take full advantage of it. Iran might have a chance getting a point, or even all three against Bosnia under these climates, but again.. this is a team preparing for the World Cup beating sides like Lebanon and Thailand. I say the chances are quite slim.
Argentina to win it for sure, second place will be fought between Bosnia and Nigeria.


Team to watch from this group - Bosnia - Herzegovina. The only World Cup Debutants, even though they have such a great squad. Definitely a team to watch.

Group G
1. Germany
2. USA
3. Portugal
4. Ghana


These two will be crucial for USA's chances

Why would the god of football make such a tough group LOL.
Anyways, where ever the tournament may be, this current German side seem unstoppable to me. Only Argentina, Brazil, Spain, Italy, or Uruguay seem like the teams which can beat them.
USA ABOVE PORTUGAL?! Yes... something is telling me a giant killing like in 2002 will happen again, and if it does it'll be a shame to only see 3 games of Cristiano Ronaldo. Anyways I really do think USA can pull it off, I'm not so sure if they are used to the climate though, or else that'll keep them the same standing as Portugal.
Ghana.. well they are a good side, but just not better than these 3 (Although they beat USA in 2010).


Team to watch from this group - USA. They have the potential to cause an upset. They have done it before, they can maybe do it again. Either ways, this team provides entertainment, like the last minute goal against Algeria last World Cup to send USA to the knockout stages.

Group H
1. Belgium
2. Korea Republic
3. Russia
4. Algeria


If Korea wants those goals, Heung Min Son must keep his recent good Leverkusen form for this World Cup. Such a talented player, probably move to the EPL within the next 2, 3 years.

This group is quite low leveled compared to the other groups, but thats a good thing for Korea, thats for sure. Don't see them beating Belgium, but I'm sure they can beat Algeria, and even have a chance against Russia. Not only Korea has been reviving (the rise of Heung Min Son, Bo Kyung Kim, etc), Russia will have a torrid time under these climates. Also, they were inconsistent in EURO 2012, so I see that happening again here too, unless Capello fixed that up already. Anyways I don't see Belgium losing a game in this group as long as they have Kompany in the backline. And Algeria, well.. yeah don't see em getting in the second place spot.

Team to watch from this group - Korea Republic. On paper, its Belgium and Russia going through. Korea can turn it around. Why? To me, they are one of the few teams who has the biggest fighting spirit and pride to play for their country. Now they even have individually skilled players.
Along with Japan, this country has the potential to keep surprising the world.

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