World Cup 2014

I think Spain are on the wain, still very good but not what they were in the Euros or the last World Cup; it would be completely unprecedented for them to retain there title after winning those tournaments.

I don't think Holland have a good enough side to win it, similarly the Italians & France are good but not good enough. England may surprise us with a decent showing, the fact that the usual media hype has been more understated this time will help them, but they won't win it. Portugal have Ronaldo & not really much else & he looked less than ordinary for most of the Champions League Final.

I can't see anyone from Africa, Asia or Central/North America winning it & as I have written off the main European threats (except Germany) I am leaning towards a South American side.

I think Germany are the European side with the best chance & I think Belgium could do well if they get off to a good start.

Brazil? They have only ever won the tournament outside of their own country; they may just be too inexperienced to handle the pressure & Neymar has looked rather average lately.
Uruguay? They struggled to qualify but that means nothing, they are there & might fancy their chances if Suarez is fit & after getting to the last 4 last time.
Argentina? Potentially they could be the best side on the planet if they gel as a team & they would love to win it in Brazil...but even Messi has started to look human lately.

Those 3 are the only serious South American contenders as far as I can see...having said all of that I think this is possibly the most open tournament for a long time.

Can Spain create history? Can Brazil withstand the pressure? Can Suarez get/stay fit or can Uruguay perform without him? Can Germany find a way like they so often do? Can Argentina gel & Messi get it right?

If I was to stick my neck out I'd probably go with Argentina...but only just & I wouldn't be surprised to be completely wrong.

Going to get my bets on today. Liking the look of Aguero for Golden Boot - with Messi getting most of the attention, I think he'll find himself with a bit more space and therefore a few extra chances to grab some goals!

I think Germany's lack of front power might cost them. Klose, although going for the record, isn't as sharp as he used to be and that could cost them in the latter stages.

I'd tend to agree with fourfourtwo in that I do see England doing quite well this year. For the first time in a long time, there doesn't seem to be the same sort of pressure on them as there once was and with a younger, fresh looking squad, they might just surprise a few folk.

Happy World Cup Day folks - hope FIFA is good to you all!

So, here's how I see it panning out (if anything, it's something to look back on and laugh at come the end of the tournament) -

A - Brazil & Mexico
B - Spain & Holland
C - Columbia & Ivory Coast
D - England & Uruguay
E - France & Ecuador
F - Argentina & Nigeria
G - Germany & Portugal
H - Belgium & Russia

Brazil to beat Holland
Uruguay to beat Columbia
Spain to beat Mexico
England to beat Ivory Coast
France to beat Nigeria
Germany to beat Russia
Argentina to beat Ecuador
Portugal to beat Belgium

Germany to beat France
Brazil to beat Uruguay
Argentina to beat Portugal
England to beat Spain

Brazil to beat Germany
Argentina to beat England

Brazil to beat Argentina.

There you go then. Signed, sealed and delivered...

You ruin it somewhat, my friend, by having England topping their group and then by having England beating Spain. Let's say they did meet Spain at any point. They'd lose.

Anyway, I can't stand Ronaldo so unfortunately for Prtugal I'm looking for them to bomb badly. Nice place for a holiday though. Albufeira is nice this time of year.

Croatia could surprise a few people (but maybe not) but I think Brazil or Spain for the top prize.

Well that was some start! The underdogs going ahead, an OG, a dodgy penalty, a classic World Cup goal, a disallowed goal, a missed elbow...

Croatia surprised me actually and played some decent stuff in the first half but a couple of good finishes from Neymar and Oscar were the difference.

Already looking forward to the next 3 tonight!

Excellent completion so far....Spain 1 Holland 5 !!! ...bet no one saw THAT coming.

A Brazil & Mexico
B Holland & Spain (but Chile could spring a surprise if Spain's heads have gone)
C Columbia & Japan
D Uruguay & Italy (but England could go thru at the expense of either one, this is a wide open group)
E France & Ecuador
F Argentina & Nigeria
G Germany & Portugal
H Belgium & Russia

Round 2
Brazil beat Spain
Italy beat Columbia
France beat Nigeria
Germany beat Russia
Holland beat Mexico
Uruguay beat Japan
Argentina beat Ecuador
Portugal beat Belgium

1/4 finals
Brazil beat Italy
Germany beat France
Holland beat Uruguay
Argentina beat Portugal

Semi finals
Germany beat Brazil
Argentina beat Holland

3rd place
Brazil beat Holland

Final
Argentina beat Germany

If that happens, it would be the 3rd time Argentina & Germany have contested the final...I think that would be a record

The English are no marks for this cup so not bothering about them. Interesting tie between the Germans and Portuguese shortly. Ronaldo for the win? What do I know?

Nuthin!

Spain v Chile - SPAIN!

That'll be my predictions right out the window then, eh?! Didn't see Spain collapsing like that but there you go, eh?!

Feel sorry for Australia - they played really well in both their games against Chile and Holland but have lost both. Would be great to see them finish with a win over Spain.

Croatia (who Scotland beat twice in qualifying...!!!) looked pretty good in a 4-0 demolition job on Cameroon last night. Look really good upfront with Olic and Mandzukic.

Looking forward to the Columbia vs Ivory Coast game tonight - both played well in their first games (and won) so a lot to play for. Think England will get the job done vs Uruguay too.

One minute there getting beat and the next they'll win the cup and the next there as good as out (England). lol

Amazing that the usual media hype didn't happen pre-tournament; it was all understated, "England have a tough group, might not qualify, won't win it".....but the reaction to their failure is still OTT, "Why didn't we qualify, we are England with Wayne Rooney & are therefore unbeatable; what went wrong?"

They played well in a tough group where everyone has underestimated the quality of Costa Rica; they haven't qualified but really no one really expected them to do so unless they played out of their collective skins & the opposition had off days.

USA should have won; they should have been hoofing it anywhere but towards there own area in injury time but tried to play "the right way" & got caught.