Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

I'm going to pick 5 ... 4 and a dark horse possible surprise final 4 team because that's fun.

1: Spain

2: Brazil

3: Argentina - They will bounce back from qualifier effort.

4: Italy - Not sure they belong here but they're my favorite team.


5: Dark Horse Pick for final 4: Slovenia / Nigeria ... I need 2 dark horse picks.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

Slovenia over the higher ranked and more favored USA? I'm not sure I buy that. I have the USA team advancing over them either on head to head or on aggregate. USA loses in the round of 16 to Germany

Otherwise I agree with your top four.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

As an avid soccer fan, I advise you take the Fifa rankings, and throw them out your car window, while doing 90 down a highway. They truly are worthless.

I'm going to start studying the brackets this week, now that the rosters are pretty much set. I personally think Spain is the clear #1. I think England has a chance to make some noise. Historically they've had a tough time in the WC, but they have the talent, and maybe now the coach. France is another team with a complete, and talented roster. I don't think my Azzurri are going to go very far this tourny. This is a transitional roster, that is going to rely on too many aging stars, and unproven players. Lots of nickels and dimes for the Italians, but no real quarters.

All my buddies mention Portugal as a team to watch as well.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

I figured they were garbage but still a barometer to start off with in estimating something...most predictions I've seen has the US team getting into the next round, with a lock if the US can beat England in the first match.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

You boys have a pretty good team and I'd fancy the States over a few good teams. Don't you ever wonder if soccer really took off in the U.S. how well you could do?

I would personally hold off any thinking England can go far at this moment. It's definately an interesting tournament for us because of Capello. Englands players, while brutally honest and aggresive domestically, are somewhat prone to being prima donnas internationaly. At the moment those of us with half a clue here are wondering if Capello will change that and have England focused and organised throughout the tournament. If he can do that and get England working as a unit I think then, and only then, will England feature deeper in the tournament. I see us getting through the group, but when the do or die games start thats when we'll see just how strong England are.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

I haven't been following things as closely as I might, but: don't write off the Krauts. Ballack is a talisman, true, and a big loss, but, overall, they're the opposite of what Scouse Patriot said about the English: they'll perform over expectations in WCs. So, yes, Spain have to be a top pick. On talent, so do the Argentines, but I don't think they'll put it together when needed. Nor do I think much of France or Italy this time round. If it has to be four:

Spain

Germany

Brazil

England

Dark horse: U.S.A.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

Spain v Argentina would be my ideal final.

Holland could quite easily upset a few of the more fancied teams.

England should make it easily to the qtr finals before they meet a decent team. Then we'll see what they are made of.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

Hard to call the states a dark horse this time. We are without a top two 2 striker in Charlie Davies, unless you think Herculez Gomes or Edson Buddle will be good enough (I doubt it though Gomez did well in Mexico this season). In midfield we are without Jones and Edu is hobbling, Donovan and Dempsey ooze quality for the NT though so if they can get something out of Holden/Beasley as a winger that could be competent. Bocanegra and Onyewu lacking match practice is going to be tough on our back line especially with DeMerit's eye injury. Though Howard can make a play or two back there to cover up for some oops. Going to be difficult to beat England in match one. A draw would be huge for the States, and yes a win and were all but through. Though I can't see anything other than a loss to England. Slovenia will be tricky but I'm not too concerned with surprise Algeria yeah they beat Russia, but they don't have all that much going for them in talent.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

I'm predicting a Spain - Brazil final, with Spain winning.

And the Argentinians beating England in the 3rd Place Play-Off.

Re: Official World Cup Prediction Thread
 

Just a day to go now, I love the world cup. Not sure if any Brits caught it but ESPN had a run of official films last weekend from all the world cups. I loved the '86 one because thats all I ever watched in the late 80's/90's, even though it was controversial for England I was fixated with it.