This is it. What we have all been waiting for. My World Cup predictions. While slugging down some coffee I will tell you all you need to know about what I think will go down in Brazil. Since starting this blog this will be the biggest tournament I have covered yet. No need to fear though, I would say I did pretty well covering the Euro's two years ago, so how different could it be, wink wink.
The World Cup does not really have a clear favorite this year, well in my opinion. Many nations will travel to South America with plenty of star power along with the occasional young gun stepping up. The eyes will be on the host nation, Brazil. Having home field advantage and having a good pool of talent, they are expected to do big things. The pressure will be immense and Neymar is the key to their success. Last season at the Confederations Cup, although not the biggest and best tournament out there, Neymar proved that he was more than just fancy street skill moves. Now on a much bigger stage he can lead his country to the most valuable prize possible.
The group stage, the key to the knock out rounds, the path to the final starts there. The group stage should be filled with some pretty interesting matches. I don't see many upsets taking place in any of the groups, or at least not any big upsets. Group A gives the host nation a pretty easy ticket into the second round, playing Cameroon, Mexico, and Croatia on home soil might secure them 9 points. With Brazil easily advancing, the battle for second will be much more interesting. Many of the so called experts favor Mexico but I think Croatia will advance. I just can't stand Mexico and I think they are a horrible team that does not deserve to be in the World Cup. Although star power doesn't mean everything, they just do not have the power that Croatia has. I am looking for Modric and Mandzukic to lead them on the next round, along with the support of Olic, Jelavic, and Eduardo.
My group B predictions might be surprising to some, well a lot of people actually. Yes I have Holland and Spain advancing, but the Netherlands will win the group. Spain's ticky-tacka football can only work for so long. I think they are aging and their style of play is getting left behind. Although Holland's defense can be shaky at points, their power going forward is tremendous. Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie can lead the Dutch to a first place finish in the group. Chile could have made the group interesting but I think the injury to Vidal totally eliminates their chances (although there is a chance Vidal could play, but they still will not advance).
In Group C I have the Ivory Coast finishing first with Columbia in second. Yaya Toure had a great season at Man City and the team will look to him for leadership. Yaya isn't the only player on the team with a good amount of talent, Drogba maybe old but he can still finish. Gervinho usually impressed at Arsenal and I hear that he had a great season at Roma, so hopefully for the African team he can continue that form. Wilfried Bony is not a bad back up to have in case Drogba tires out. Columbia might have won the group but without Falcao it will be tough for them. Greece and Japan are not the strongest opponents out there but they can pack a punch every now and then.
Group D is a very interesting group with three teams that really feel like they have something to prove. One of those teams being England. I like England a lot and I think they have some great talent, but their problem is that they always do not use their talent to their full potential. Unfortunately I do not have the English advancing. Italy wins the group with Uruguay battling hard for second. Italy is another team I like. If Balotelli doesn't lose his mind and the rest of the Italian team plays to their full potential, they will impress. Uruguay is playing on South American soil and will need to play smart to advance in this group. England will make it hard for them but with players like Cavani and Suarez (Suarez could miss one or two games) along with Forlan and Godin I think Uruguay can pull off the second place "prize".
France should handle Group E easy. Playing against the Swiss, Honduras, and Ecuador should not be a test for them at all. They have looked great in friendlies and have two very good strikers in the Arsenal man, Giroud, and the Real Madrid man, Benzema. Ribery will miss out on Brazil which is deeply saddening to see a player with his quality get injured. The back line for France also has some key players like Koscielny and then Lloris in goal. Switzerland will finish second in the group but Ecuador could surprise them.
I expect great things from Argentina in Brazil. In group F they do not have a tough challenge. Nigeria might bother them a bit, along with Bosnia, but they should advance easily. The second place prize in this group will be awarded to Bosnia- Herzegodzeko. They are an underdog really but they could be very surprising. There is really no pressure on them because no one knows who they are. When they put a few up on Nigeria and Iran the world will definitely know who they are. Along with the star stirker from City Dzeko, the Stoke giant Begovic guards his goal like an oven door guards freshly baked cookies. Also look out for the St. Louis native Ibisevic.
Group G is what my country will be watching with hope. The USA got pretty much the worst possible group they could get. Their old foes from Ghana will be their best chance to get 3 points. After that it just gets harder and harder. Portugal and Germany will be next to impossible to beat and maybe even to tie. THE USA WILL NOT GET OUT OF THE GROUP STAGE! Germany and Portugal on the other hand will. Many people have the Germans lifting the trophy in Rio, and they will win the group, possibly with 9 points. Their squad is just too good and full of talent, although Reus is out. I really like Reus and he is a fun player to watch so I'm sad he won't be there. The group will be a little harder for Portugal but they should advance.
Finally, Group F. This group should belong to the Belgians and the Russians. Belgium has a squad overflowing with talent, but lacking in experience. Some people are picking them to go very, very far in the tournament. Their lack of experience could hurt them in the later rounds but having a group with Russia, Algeria, and South Korea should guarantee them a spot in the next round. Russia will finish second in the group. Although Russia is not as strong as they once were, they got a nice draw so they should slide into the next round.
Well that's it for tonight. Tomorrow I will tell you what will go down in the knockout stages, and of course, who will lift the world's biggest prize in Rio. Come back and read please.
No comments:
Post a Comment