Michael's World Cup Predictions
Group A: Germany (FIFA World Ranking 19); Costa Rica (26); Poland (29); Ecuador (39).
The closest group with only 20 World Ranking places between the top and bottom ranked teams. Germany with the home advantage should top the group, Poland to be second.
Group B: England (10); Sweden (16); Paraguay (33); Trinidad (47).
Easy to pick the top two in this group, but will the Poms beat the Swedes? I think so. Is the big question will be how long it takes for the Barmy Army to be involved in a soccer riot.
Group C: Netherlands (3); Argentina (9); Ivory Coast (32); Serbia and Montenegro (44).
The last outing for a combined Serbia-Montenegro before they split on 13 July. But the Dutch and the Argentines should top the group easily, in that order.
Group D: Mexico (4); Portugal (7); Iran (23); Angola (57).
This groups should come down to the number of goals Mexico and Portugal put past the Iranians and Angolans. Expect the Portugese to be top of this pool on that basis.
Group E: Czech Republic (2); USA (5=); Italy (13); Ghana (48).
Surprise your friends with the revelation that the USA are ranked 5th in the world and the Czechs are number 2. All the pre-tournament speculation focuses on Brazil, France and Germany but these two teams will be fighting to top the group as the road to the semis will be easy for the winner. I think the Czechs will top this group, and for Italian pride to sneak past the Americans. But coming second means facing the Brazilians in the second round.
Group F: Brazil (1); Japan (18); Croatia (23); Australia (42).
Does anyone expect Brazil to come second in this group? Will the Japanese hold off the Croatians? Will the Aussies get a win? No, on all counts.
Group G: France (8); South Korea (29); Switzerland (35); Togo (61).
Easy to pick the winner of this group. Leaning towards the Swiss to get second place. If Togo lose by less than three goals each game it will be the biggest surprise of the tournament.
Group H: Spain (5=); Ukraine (12); Tunisia (21); Saudia Arabia (34).
First and Second are easy to pick here, same as the world rankings.
According to my predictions, the second round will be:
Germany vs Sweden
Netherlands vs Mexico
England vs Poland
Argentina vs Portugal
Czech Rep. vs Croatia
France vs Ukraine
Brazil vs Italy
Spain vs Switzerland
My Quarter Finalists:
Germany vs Mexico
Czech Rep. vs France
England vs Portugal
Brazil vs Spain
My Semi-Finals:
Mexico vs Czech Rep.
England vs Brazil
Finalists:
Brazil vs Czech Republic
Winners - Czech Republic
The closest group with only 20 World Ranking places between the top and bottom ranked teams. Germany with the home advantage should top the group, Poland to be second.
Group B: England (10); Sweden (16); Paraguay (33); Trinidad (47).
Easy to pick the top two in this group, but will the Poms beat the Swedes? I think so. Is the big question will be how long it takes for the Barmy Army to be involved in a soccer riot.
Group C: Netherlands (3); Argentina (9); Ivory Coast (32); Serbia and Montenegro (44).
The last outing for a combined Serbia-Montenegro before they split on 13 July. But the Dutch and the Argentines should top the group easily, in that order.
Group D: Mexico (4); Portugal (7); Iran (23); Angola (57).
This groups should come down to the number of goals Mexico and Portugal put past the Iranians and Angolans. Expect the Portugese to be top of this pool on that basis.
Group E: Czech Republic (2); USA (5=); Italy (13); Ghana (48).
Surprise your friends with the revelation that the USA are ranked 5th in the world and the Czechs are number 2. All the pre-tournament speculation focuses on Brazil, France and Germany but these two teams will be fighting to top the group as the road to the semis will be easy for the winner. I think the Czechs will top this group, and for Italian pride to sneak past the Americans. But coming second means facing the Brazilians in the second round.
Group F: Brazil (1); Japan (18); Croatia (23); Australia (42).
Does anyone expect Brazil to come second in this group? Will the Japanese hold off the Croatians? Will the Aussies get a win? No, on all counts.
Group G: France (8); South Korea (29); Switzerland (35); Togo (61).
Easy to pick the winner of this group. Leaning towards the Swiss to get second place. If Togo lose by less than three goals each game it will be the biggest surprise of the tournament.
Group H: Spain (5=); Ukraine (12); Tunisia (21); Saudia Arabia (34).
First and Second are easy to pick here, same as the world rankings.
According to my predictions, the second round will be:
Germany vs Sweden
Netherlands vs Mexico
England vs Poland
Argentina vs Portugal
Czech Rep. vs Croatia
France vs Ukraine
Brazil vs Italy
Spain vs Switzerland
My Quarter Finalists:
Germany vs Mexico
Czech Rep. vs France
England vs Portugal
Brazil vs Spain
My Semi-Finals:
Mexico vs Czech Rep.
England vs Brazil
Finalists:
Brazil vs Czech Republic
Winners - Czech Republic
posted by Michael at
7:07 PM
2 Comments:
Wow, that is a very brave prediction, and I think I am close to agreeing with you!
I will have to post mine now! :)
By
Heine, at 12:20 AM
Although I'll be supporting England, I don't really care who wins as long as Australia is bundled out at the end of the first round without a win.
By
Rich, at 12:41 PM
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