World Cup Preview (The Casual Version)

2014 Weltmeisterschaft

            Well, on Thursday it becomes official, I become a neutral fan of sport.  I think the World Cup is a great way to get it started; looking at all 32 teams it really looks to be an open tournament this time around.  I think that there are about eleven countries that could come out of this thing with the Jules Rimet trophy.  Obviously, Brazil should be considered favorites as the host of this great tournament, but while they have some great players, it is most of the European nations that currently have the best teams on the planet.  I will attempt to make this blog analyst casual; the United States is finally turning in the world’s favor, I think soccer is going to be a major US sport in the years to come.

Group A:

Brazil (hosts)

Cameroon

Croatia

Mexico

Star Players:

Brazil – Neymar

Cameroon – Samuel Eto’o

Croatia – Luka Modric

Mexico – Rafa Marquez

Group analysis:

First should be locked up by Brazil, 2^nd is a little tricker.  I think if Mexico or Cameroon can win their game this Friday, they set up nicely to get that 2^nd spot.  If Croatia can earn a draw against Brazil, however, look for them to finish 2^nd or even in that top spot.  They have a bunch of talent on the offensive side of the ball; if teams attack them they are doing so at their own peril.  Croatia is a counter-attacking machine.

My picks – Brazil 1, Croatia 2

Group B:

Spain

Netherlands

Chile

Australia

Star Players:

Spain – Andres Iniesta

Netherlands – Jordy Clasie

Chile – Arturo Vidal

Australia – Michael Jedinak

Group analysis: Spain still has the quality that should see them through to the next round.  There are some tricky fixtures in this group, nothing is really an easy game, but they have quality at every position.  Netherlands is going through a transitional stage, their stars are aging quickly, but they have plenty of talent coming through soon.  This team is a mixture of both, but really no one at their peak.  They need Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder to be sensational in order to repeat 2010’s final appearance.  Chile could surprise.  Between Vidal, Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona and Mauricio Isla from Juventus, they have a bit of star quality from players that aren’t afraid of the big stage.  Australia’s best players are older, but the experience could be enough to see them challenging for that second place.

My Picks – Spain 1, Chile 2

Group C:

Colombia

Greece

Ivory Coast

Japan

Star Players:

Colombia – Juan Fernando Quintero

Greece – Giorgos Samaras

Ivory Coast – Didier Drogba & Yaya Toure

Japan – Keisuke Honda

Group Analysis:

To be honest, I have no idea.  I’m not sure if the experts do either.  Colombia with Falcao was one of the more dangerous sides in the world, and probably an outside threat at the semi-finals.  Now, I don’t know if they get out of the group.  Japan and Greece are very organized sides who are tough to score against.  They each have enough attacking ability, especially Japan that could see them both through.  The Ivory Coast has the potential to win this group; Didier Drogba is one of the best leaders in world football.  If Yaya, Wilifred Bony, Chieck Tiote and Max Gradel can repeat their league form for 3 more games, there’s no reason why the Cote D’Ivoire can’t win this group.

My picks – Ivory Coast 1, Colombia 2

Group D:

Uruguay

England

Costa Rica

Italy

Star Players:

Uruguay – Luis Suarez

England – Daniel Sturridge

Costa Rica – Bryan Ruiz

Italy – Gianluigi Buffon

Group Analysis:

In my humble opinion I think that this is the toughest group.  It’s hard to argue that England, Uruguay and Italy don’t deserve to get out of the group stages.  Just like in group A, I think the winner of the first match between England and Italy probably gets through. If it’s a draw, well that could be the worst thing that happens to both nations. Uruguay is expected to get all 3 points against Costa Rica, and will be tough to beat. If England lose that 2^nd game to Uruguay, it could be over for them.  I think that they surprise and win that one.

My picks – England 1, Uruguay 2

Group E:

Switzerland

France

Honduras

Ecuador

Star Players:

Switzerland – Xherdan Shaqiri (Love this guy)

France – Paul Pogba

Honduras – Andy Najar

Ecuador – Antonio Valencia

Group Analysis:

I think this group should only have 1 team qualify for the knock-out stages.  All joking aside, Switzerland and Ecuador are a bit underrated and have some pretty good players.  Switzerland has a midfield of 5 that could cause damage even into the knock-out stages.  Ecuador has a lot of strength and should be familiar with the conditions when they play Honduras in Curitiba.  Those 3 points could be enough to get them through. France is a bit of an enigma in this tournament.  They have the talent to go far, but no one knows what to expect from them.

My picks – Switzerland 1, France 2

Group F:

Argentina

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Iran

Nigeria

Star Players:

Argentina – Leo Messi (Hopefully, everyone knows who this is)

B&H – Edin Dzeko

Iran – Ashkan Dejagah (Only player I know)

Nigeria – Peter Odemwingie

Group Analysis:

It should be pretty much straight forward with maybe room for one hiccup.  If Nigeria can win that second game against Bosnia, then things could get a little bit tricky for second.  Argentina should and better have the results to win this group; otherwise they have a ridiculously hard schedule to get to the final.  A first place finish could make things a bit easier.  Nigeria has the talent to produce an upset in this group; Victor Moses and Ogenyi Onazi are two players that could have 100+ caps for Nigeria when their times is up.  Their form will be crucial in order to get 6 points before that final game against Argentina.  Bosnia appears to have great team spirit; this is their first appearance as a nation so it’ll be interesting to see if there are any nerves in the camp.  Iran may be happy just to be here although they have only lost 1 of their last 10 matches.

My picks – Argentina 1, Bosnia 2

Group G:

Germany

Ghana

United States

Portugal

Star Players:

Germany – Hard to tell with all the injuries... Thomas Müller

Ghana – Kwadwo Asamoah

United States – Lando... Michael Bradley

Portugal – Cristiano Ronaldo

Group Analysis:

Although what looks to be a pretty tough group on paper, depending on the results of the first 2 matches (Ger-Por, USA-Gha) Germany and Portugal are probably the favorites to get out.  While Germany has had a nightmare of injuries come into the squad, at the end of the day they have an eleven good enough to get to the next round.  Portugal relies on one player, but when it’s Cristiano, they can pretty much beat any team in this tournament.  I am shocked that they didn’t take Andre Gomes of Benfica, he could have been the young star of the tournament.  The United States will have a tough team to defeat, but unless their young strikers can score, they will likely go home.  Ghana has a deep, talented squad, but may lack the experience in defense and goal to really make a run.

My Picks – Portugal 1, Germany 2

Group H:

Belgium

Algeria

Russia

South Korea

Star Players:

Belgium – Eden Hazard

Algeria – Sofiane Feghouli

Russia – Maksim Kanunnikov

South Korea – Son Heung-Min (Watch this space...)

Group Analysis:

Belgium is almost on the level of the world powers and should have the number 1 place wrapped up.  What they have done in that country with their youth over the last ten years is simply astounding.  They are about twenty deep, and can make a huge run in this tournament whether or not they see the Germans in the next round.  The second place is up for grabs between the other 3 teams.  I think that Russia is the slight favorites, but they really went with youth for this tournament.  I’ll be curious to see how their young strikers do.  South Korea has a ton of talent in the attack, and a nice blend of experience and youth in the squad.  People may laugh at Algeria’s chances, but there is a bit of talent in their team and if taken lightly could somehow squeeze 2^nd from this group.

My Picks – Belgium 1, Russia 2

Knock-out Round Picks –

Brazil vs Chile – Brazil

Ivory Coast vs Uruguay – Uruguay

Switzerland vs Bosnia – Bosnia

Portugal vs Russia – Portugal

Spain vs Croatia – Spain

England vs Colombia – England

Argentina vs France – Argentina

Belgium vs Germany – Belgium

Quarterfinals:

Brazil vs Uruguay – Brazil

Bosnia vs Portugal – Portugal

Spain vs England – Spain

Argentina vs Belgium – Belgium

Semi-finals:

Brazil vs Portugal – Brazil

Spain vs Belgium – Spain

3^rd place game:

Belgium vs Portugal – Portugal

World Cup Final:

Spain vs Brazil

Well, a rematch of the Confederations Cup final in which Brazil destroyed Spain 3-0.  While I think that the Spanish style of years past is kind of a dying trend, the amount of talent and options that they have at their disposal is absolutely outrageous. They brought along ten midfielders of who the tenth best one may be the star midfielder from Arsenal, Santi Cazorla.  If Diego Costa can come back at full strength, or even at 80%, Spain probably wins their 4^th major tournament in a row.  I’m betting they do.

Spain

Note:  Just for fun, here is the team that Spanish National Team coach Vicente Del Bosque left at home...

GK Victor Valdes (although he is hurt)

LB Alvaro Arbeloa

RB Daniel Carvajal

CB Marc Bartra

CDM Javi Garcia

CDM Mario Suarez

RM Jesus Navas

LM Isco

CM Thiago Alcantara (although he is hurt, too)

ST Alvaro Negrado

ST Fernando Llorente

Ridiculous.  Without injuries this 11 could make a quarterfinal.