With less than a day until Brazil and Croatia kick off the 2014 World Cup, here are my predictions.
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Brazil to win 1st, close fight between Croatia & Mexico for 2nd.
Croatia have a stronger midfield but not entirely sure of their ability to score goals. Still, will go with them to sneak in ahead of Mexico.
Group B: Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia
Spain in 1st. The Dutch to narrowly take 2nd over Chile. If Chile were at full strength and had no injuries, I would have gone with them.
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Colombia in 1st, Japan vs Greece for 2nd.
The Greeks are more organized but Japan are more creative. It will be close but I am picking Japan to progress.
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
The Group of Death. There is always one in every World Cup and 'D' is appropriately it. Three teams with an equal chance to progress although Costa Rica won't be pushovers. Goal difference might play a big part in this group's outcome.
When the draw was made back in December, I picked Uruguay to get 1st and Italy for 2nd. Now, I am not sure about Uruguay as much. Their defensive approach worked wonders in Copa America 2011 but the side is aging and Forlan can't run himself into the ground like he was able to. Also, I am not certain Luis Suárez is going to be firing on all cylinders after the incredible season he had. England for a change have opted to bring in a lot of young players which will surely give the team a different and a more adventurous feel. Also, they don't have as much pressure on them as in the past and that could be a huge advantage.
I expect to be wrong for this group but will still go with my original December 2013 pick of Uruguay in 1st, Italy in 2nd.
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
An absolutely dreadful joke of a group. Despite all their problems, France surely can't screw things up although I expect them to tie the Swiss 0-0. And France may only register 1-0 and 2-0 results in their other 2 games.
France in 1st, Switzerland 2nd after a series of 0-0, 1-0 games.
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina progress easily in 1st and 2nd respectively.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
The US will finally overcome Ghana but will they be able to get the extra point needed against Portugal or Germany to advance? It will be tough but if Cristiano Ronaldo is not fit, then Portugal could struggle.
Germany to win group, Portugal for 2nd.
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Injuries are certainly going to impact both Belgium and Russia but both should still progress from yet another weak group.
Belgium to take 1st, Russia for 2nd.
Semi-Finalists: Brazil vs Germany, Spain vs Argentina.
If Messi is fit and Ángel di María can reproduce his Real Madrid form, then Argentina could upset Spain. But for now, going with a repeat of last year's Confederations Cup final.
Final: Brazil vs Spain
If this is indeed the final, I expect Brazil to win. But if Argentina make the final vs Brazil, then it will be the most tense World Cup final I would have ever watched. And..I don't think I can stomach a Brazil vs Uruguay final.
The 2006 World Cup is the only one out of the last four World Cup tournaments that I was able to get most of my picks right. Therefore, I fully expect to be wrong this time around. But it should be fun, especially comparing these results to the 2014 Movie World Cup.
Group A: Brazil, Croatia, Mexico, Cameroon
Brazil to win 1st, close fight between Croatia & Mexico for 2nd.
Croatia have a stronger midfield but not entirely sure of their ability to score goals. Still, will go with them to sneak in ahead of Mexico.
Group B: Spain, Holland, Chile, Australia
Spain in 1st. The Dutch to narrowly take 2nd over Chile. If Chile were at full strength and had no injuries, I would have gone with them.
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Colombia in 1st, Japan vs Greece for 2nd.
The Greeks are more organized but Japan are more creative. It will be close but I am picking Japan to progress.
Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy
The Group of Death. There is always one in every World Cup and 'D' is appropriately it. Three teams with an equal chance to progress although Costa Rica won't be pushovers. Goal difference might play a big part in this group's outcome.
When the draw was made back in December, I picked Uruguay to get 1st and Italy for 2nd. Now, I am not sure about Uruguay as much. Their defensive approach worked wonders in Copa America 2011 but the side is aging and Forlan can't run himself into the ground like he was able to. Also, I am not certain Luis Suárez is going to be firing on all cylinders after the incredible season he had. England for a change have opted to bring in a lot of young players which will surely give the team a different and a more adventurous feel. Also, they don't have as much pressure on them as in the past and that could be a huge advantage.
I expect to be wrong for this group but will still go with my original December 2013 pick of Uruguay in 1st, Italy in 2nd.
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras
An absolutely dreadful joke of a group. Despite all their problems, France surely can't screw things up although I expect them to tie the Swiss 0-0. And France may only register 1-0 and 2-0 results in their other 2 games.
France in 1st, Switzerland 2nd after a series of 0-0, 1-0 games.
Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria
Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina progress easily in 1st and 2nd respectively.
Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, USA
The US will finally overcome Ghana but will they be able to get the extra point needed against Portugal or Germany to advance? It will be tough but if Cristiano Ronaldo is not fit, then Portugal could struggle.
Germany to win group, Portugal for 2nd.
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Injuries are certainly going to impact both Belgium and Russia but both should still progress from yet another weak group.
Belgium to take 1st, Russia for 2nd.
Semi-Finalists: Brazil vs Germany, Spain vs Argentina.
If Messi is fit and Ángel di María can reproduce his Real Madrid form, then Argentina could upset Spain. But for now, going with a repeat of last year's Confederations Cup final.
Final: Brazil vs Spain
If this is indeed the final, I expect Brazil to win. But if Argentina make the final vs Brazil, then it will be the most tense World Cup final I would have ever watched. And..I don't think I can stomach a Brazil vs Uruguay final.
The 2006 World Cup is the only one out of the last four World Cup tournaments that I was able to get most of my picks right. Therefore, I fully expect to be wrong this time around. But it should be fun, especially comparing these results to the 2014 Movie World Cup.
