With the World Cup in Brazil fast
approaching, let's reconsider the chances that the respective teams
have in the competition. Many team updates have impacted the chances
of particular sides in performing once the games kick-off. Starting
with Group A, Brazil are the obvious favorites of
finishing at the top. Mexico are my pick for second place,
though it'll be a close run between them and the team that I believe
will take third place: Croatia. Finally, Cameroon are
the side unlucky enough to get placed in such a competitive group.
They are a decent side, and may very well challenge the Mexicans and
Croats.
Group B stands in a similar position to the first
group, with Spain my choice of going to the top of the group.
The Netherlands should
manage second despite Chile's
best efforts. Injuries in the South American's squad have dented
their chances to be sure. Australia
are rather helpless in this group though. They are transitioning with
a new coach which may prove too serious a handicap for the Aussies.
As for Group C,
Colombia are
potentially the best side of the four though Greece,
Japan, and the Ivory
Coast are very close in terms
of talent, drive, and togetherness. I would suggest that the Greeks
are the most well put together side, but every group match will be a
challenge here! The Japanese and the representatives from the Ivory
Coast will ensure that the action does not stop.
Turning now to Group
D, at least one big name will
fall: Italy and
Uruguay are my picks
to move forward. Their squads should have sufficient depth to deal
with the other group members. Having said that, England
will certainly challenge the South Americans at least. Nevertheless,
the squad fluctuations for the English may prove disastrous. They
won't be embarrassed, but the going will be difficult. Meanwhile,
Costa Rica should be
encouraged to enjoy their time in the tournament, as they will
probably fail to qualify for the next round.
Group E
is arguably one of the most straightforward in the competition, with
France and
Switzerland talented
enough to make through at the expense of Ecuador and
Honduras. Having said that, the
Europeans are very similarly talented; though the delegates from the
Americas should prove a close race. Ecuador will provide a spirited
display, though the Swiss defense and French cannons should prove too
much for them in their respective encounters.
The teams in Group
F are a challenging bunch, with
Argentina the clear
victors in my book though Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Nigeria are
difficult to differentiate. All the same, I think that
Bosnia-Herzegovina will place second while Nigeria will defeat the
Iranians to stay off of the bottom of the table. The Europeans will
hope to continue their free-flowing football, while Iran will hope to
keep their heads and play the game that they have played through
qualifying so successfully.
Group G
may be the most exciting one, with Germany
and Portugal the
favorites to progress while the United States
and Ghana will be
left fighting for third position. No one side is clearly weaker than
any other. Ghana may falter, under the sustained pressure of their
three competitors. The U.S. and Portugal are trickier opponents for
the Germans, though I would expect Cristiano Ronaldo and company to
undo the Americans when the time arrives.
Last but not least, Group
H has the potential to become
an open contest. Belgium
and Russia should win
through, but South Korea
may challenge the Eastern Europeans – who are not nearly as strong
as they have been in the past – while Algeria
may be left disappointed unless they can find the back of the net
more often against quality opposition. One concern for the Belgians
is the depth of their squad and the threat that a disappointing
initial result against the Algerians may do to their morale. Hope you
are looking forward to the World Cup!
