FIFA World Cup 2014: Group Round Predictions

Group A

1) Brazil - 9 points

2) Cameroon - 4 points

3) Croatia – 2 points

4) Mexico – 1 point

Brazil obviously is winning this group, and most likely winning each game with ease. After Brazil, there’s not really a clear second team. Mexico looked awful in the World Cup qualifying, but have potential to make it out of group play. Croatia is not very promising in my eyes. They have a basic attack and a weak back line, with the only consistent position being midfield. Cameroon has the best chance to advance (excluding Brazil) despite having a rather weak roster. They have some impressive results as of late, such as their 2-2 draw with Germany and 1-0 win over Moldova. They’re playing their best football right now and I have them winning over Mexico to advance.

Group B

1) Spain – 7 points

2) Netherlands – 5 points

3) Chile – 4 points

4) Australia – 0 points

First off let’s all realize that Australia will not win a game. I don’t think they have a chance with these teams. I have Spain beating Chile in addition to Australia, and drawing with Netherlands to take the top spot. There’s way too much talent on that roster to not come out with at least a couple victories. I also think the Netherlands will be able to hold off Chile in the final game of their group play to advance. I doubt Chile will be able to hold off Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben for 90 minutes.

Group C

1) Colombia – 7 points

2) Ivory Coast – 5 points

3) Japan – 4 points

4) Greece – 0 points

This is one of my most anticipated groups since there’s no clarity as to what will happen. Colombia is going to be the best team, and Greece is the weakest of the bunch. But anything can happen… Japan has a strong midfield and a decent attack and defense. If they get their chances they’ll capitalize, and they can just as easily come out of group play as Ivory Coast. However I have Ivory Coast moving on alongside Colombia due to their speed and athleticism. Their defense is lacking but one thing is for sure, they will get their scoring chances. Lastly, don’t sleep on Greece; they may be able to scrounge out a win and give themselves a chance of advancing.

Group D

1) Uruguay – 7 points

2) Italy – 6 points

3) England – 4 points

4) Costa Rica – 0 points

I feel bad for Costa Rica; they face such a tough draw. Anything can happen with the other three teams, so no prediction is safe. I have all 3 teams beating Costa Rica. Other than that, I have Italy beating England and losing to Uruguay, and Uruguay drawing with England. Now, this is all assuming that Louis Suarez is healthy. If he isn’t healthy, I’ll take Italy and England to advance in this ridiculously competitive group.

Group E

1) France – 9 points

2) Ecuador – 4 points

3) Switzerland – 2 points

4) Honduras – 1 point

France is going to cruise, drawing perhaps the weakest pool in the tournament. Honduras will prove limited competition to even Switzerland, and Ecuador is the next best team with Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia on their side. I think Ecuador will squeak their way through group play, but don’t expect much more after that, since they don't play nearly as well away from home.

Group F

1) Argentina – 9 points

2) Nigeria – 6 points

3) Bosnia-Herzegovina – 3 points

4) Iran – 0 points

Iran doesn’t exactly pose a big threat to these three teams, and no one poses much of a threat to Argentina. They should easily walk their way to 9 points and a bid to the knockout round. Now the one game in this group that should be interesting is Nigeria and Bosnia-Herzegovina. I’m really looking forward to this matchup. Both teams are dangerous, despite being inconsistent. Both squads have a handful of exciting players, and I feel as if this will be one of the more exciting matches in all of group play. These two play on June 21, at 6:00 pm. I suggest you all tune in, and I think Nigeria will come out on top in a tight contest.

Group G

1) Germany – 7 points

2) Ghana – 4 points

3) Portugal – 2 points

4) United States – 1 point

Well folks, here it is. This is one of the most competitive groups I’ve ever been around to see, with 4 quality clubs, and a few are even capable of dealing severe damage in the knockout round. Unfortunately, the United States got the toughest draw in the tournament. Germany is a team that’s capable of winning it all. Portugal has Ronaldo, and if you have Ronaldo you have a great chance of going far. Then there’s Ghana, who’s beaten the US quite frequently. I think Germany will come out on top, with wins over the US and Ghana, and a draw with Portugal. I think Ghana will beat the US once again, and draw with Portugal. With all things considered, I’m not sure of these picks at all. Any of these teams can win on any given day, even the US (although I highly doubt it). Anything can happen with this group. I do believe that Germany and Ghana will advance, but how they do so is unclear to me. Now I’ll admit, there’s a slight bias in my belief that Ghana will advance rather than Portugal, I just really like them, and I think they should have advanced even further in 2010. With that being said, Ghana has a loaded roster, headed by Asamoah Gyan up front, with an excellent supporting cast of Michal Essien and Sully Muntari in the midfield. Also look for a monster performance from Kevin Prince-Boateng. As long as they capitalize on chances (and not miss penalty kicks, cough-cough Asamoah Gyan, cough-cough) they will be fine.

Group H

1) Belgium – 7 points

2) South Korea – 6 points

3) Russia – 4 points

4) Algeria – 0 points

Finally, Group H. I honestly don’t know a whole lot here. I’m not familiar with many of these teams. However I enough to say that Belgium will come out on top, and Algeria has the smallest chance of advancing. Vincent Kompany is sick, and I think he and Eden Hazard is what separates Belgium from the rest of the group. I think they’ll beat South Korea and Algeria. Another thing that I know is that whenever I see South Korea play, they gut it out. They just stick around and wait for their chances, and have a well-balanced squad. They are also coached well, which is big for them since they aren’t the most skilled squad that you’ll find. Even with a loss to Belgium, I think they’ll advance a huge win over Russia to start their tournament, and a win over Algeria as well.  Russia will pick up a win over Algeria, but that will be it for them. I really like South Korea advancing for the second straight world cup.