Alright so here we go. My final predictions for what will happen at the 2010 World Cup. I waited this long because I wanted to see how teams played in their final warmup matches and what injuries might pop up. And boy did the injuries pop up. Michael Ballack as well as Rene Adler and Heiko Westermann all out for Germany. Humberto Suazo out for Chile, John Obi-Mikel out for Nigeria, Michael Essien out for Ghana, Rio Ferdinand out for for England, Andrea Pirlo returning to Italy to undergo tests and will certainly miss at least their opener as well as Mauro Camoranesi having to undergo tests to determine his fitness. Julio Cesar possibly missing Brazil's first game, Arjen Robben not flying to South Africa with the rest of the Dutch squad so he can undergo tests but things aren't looking as bad as first feared and he could be available for all games. Oscar Cardozo looking like he will miss the entire World Cup while Ivory Coast fear Didier Drogba may miss out as well due to a broken arm. However, reports say he may be available toward the end. The latest news is that Nani, the Portuguese winger will miss due to a broken collar bone. Andres Iniesta picking up a knock against Poland but tests show nothing serious and it also looks like Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres will both be fully fit for the opener.
With all these injuries some of my predictions do change. I had initially had Ghana finishing second behind Serbia in group D but with Essien out I have changed that pick to Australia. I still see the rash of injuries Germany has suffered as too much for them to overcome in a strong group. I initially picked Italy to finish second in group F and with their rash of injuries and their age, this does not change. Now I have doubts as the if they can even make it out of the group stages but luckily for them they are helped by a weak group. Also with the Ivory Coast and Portugal both losing key players my doubts about each team grows. If Nani had not been injured I would consider putting Portugal ahead of Ivory Coast but with his exit I still think Ivory Coast will make it through.
So my round of 16 would look like this: Uruguay taking on Nigeria, Argentina taking of Mexico, England facing off against Australia, and the USA taking on Serbia. On the other side of the bracket we have the Netherlands playing Italy in one of the best games in this round while opposite them Paraguay will take on Cameroon in another interesting match. The final two matches would be Brazil playing fellow South American side Chile, while Spain would face off against the Ivory Coast.
Some of these games seem pretty straight forward such as England beating Australia but England's recent warm up matches have been anything but impressive. In fact, England has looked extremely pedestrian and even needed 2 own goals from Japan to win 2-1. Also a sharper Mexico team would have demolished the tired and sluggish looking English side. You would also think Argentina should walk away easily against Mexico, who has found it hard to score lately, but Argentina has not looked overly impressive as of late either.
I personally see the round of 16 playing out this way: Nigeria squeaking by Uruguay because of their attacking playing style, Argentina taking care of a Mexico team who will have a hard time scoring, England barely getting past Australia, and the USA losing out in a close and entertaining game against Serbia (I know you wont like reading that but I just think Serbia is better). The Netherlands will take of Italy in the first big name matchup while the Dutch flying past the old Italians. Cameroon should be able to get by Paraguay but don't count out the South America side. Brazil should ease past Chile though Chile is a strong team who could shock the powerhouse. And finally I see Spain finishing off either the Ivory Coast or Portugal as they are just too strong of a team.
The quarter-finals should then look like this: England facing Nigeria, Argentina lining up against Serbia, Holland facing Brazil, and Cameroon taking of the Spanish. My favorite match up of this round, and I think most would agree, is Holland vs. Brazil. It should be a great game to watch with lots of open play and great skill displayed.
As weak as England looks at the moment they should be able to move past Nigeria and into the Semi's. However, if they do face Uruguay or Mexico again, look out if you're and English fan. I like Argentina to move on based more on the great players they have than the results they have achieved. Serbia, with a great defense, could take out the Argie's and move on to the semi's but again I like Argentina in this game. Brazil-Holland should be a fun game but I think Brazil is the better side and remember they are the only nation to win a would cup outside its own continent. I like Brazil to move on in a high scoring, exciting game. And finally, Spain are just too strong and should be able to move past Cameroon.
All of this would lead to a semi-final round that will match up England vs. Brazil and Argentina vs. Spain. Like I said, I think England is weak right now but they had a great draw and have a fairly easy path to the semi's. However, once here I think Brazil will destroy England and show just how poor they are. In the other match up I like Spain. As I have said, Spain is the deepest, most talented team from end to end in this World Cup and they will make the final.
Brazil will take on Spain in the final, in what should be a very good game. Can Spain continue their normal possession game against a great attacking team like Brazil? Can Brazil get enough of the ball to put pressure on what some view as a weak back line (I agree that Sergio Ramos on the right side is weak and Carles Puyol in the middle is not as good as he once was, but Gerard Pique is still the best center back in the world)?
In the end I just can't see Spain losing a single game. They have only lost once in 40+ matches (I think the last count was 47). To you USA fans you will know just who beat them. Spain is the most talented team, has the best midfield and the best strike partnership in the world.
Spain is my pick
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spain. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Group H
Well we have finally reached the final group analysis. Enjoy
Spain (FIFA world rank 2, 13th appearance)
Spain, like Holland, is one of the best teams to never have won the world cup. Spain have always been considered underachievers until their Euro 2008 victory. Now Spain is considered the favorite to win this world cup. Qualification was a breeze for the Spaniards, easily finishing top of their group winning all 10 of their matches and boasting a +23 goal differential. Spain also had not lost a match in 30+ games until they lost to the US in the confederations cup last summer.
Spain has stars all over the field and many on the bench as well. They have the best strike partnership in the world with Fernando Torres and David Villa. These two play great together and know what to do in front of goal. The midfield is led by Xavi and Iniesta, the 2 best midfielders in the world. Also in the midfield is Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, and David Silva. That is 4 star players for only 2 spots. In defense, Spain have Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Joan Capdevila, and Raul Albiol. Again, more players that spots on the field. Even in goal there are 3 starters almost anywhere else with Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, and Pepe Reina. This is a great team with great players and should be the favorite.
Switzerland (24, 9)
Switzerland qualified top of their group beating out Greece and Latvia in the weakest of the UEFA groups. However, they were impressive, losing only once in 10 matches. They are a good team but not deep. They have talent across the board but lack depth should injury or suspension occur.
Alexander Frei is the goal scorer for the Swiss and has done so at all levels. Johan Vonlanthen is another striker who is fast and technically gifted. Philippe Senderos will anchor a back line that hopes to deter all opponents with a suffocating defense.
Chile (18, 9)
Chile finished second in the South American qualifying table. They beat out Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. They are a strong attacking and aggressive team. Expect to see them attack in waves and tackle hard when they lose the ball.
Humberto Suazo was expected to led the team and score plenty of goals, but a recent injury looks to keep him out of the world cup. He is still undergoing treatment for a torn hamstring and is taking medication that could be deemed illegal which whould certainly disqualify him. However, Chile with still have Claudio Bravo in goal to lead as well as Fabian Orellana. Chile have many well known players who practice their trade in Europe.
Honduras (38, 2)
Honduras returns to the world cup after a 28 year absence. They finished third in the CONCACAF qualification group based on goal differential over Costa Rica. Honduras actually gave up the fewest goals in the group allowing only 11, however, that is still more than 1 a game as they played 10 matches.
Honduras have the likes of Wilson Palacios, Julio Cesar Leon, and Edgar Alvarez leading the team. Carlos Pavon was the leading goal scorer during qualifying, scoring 7 of their 17 goals.
Predictions:
This group is well set up for Spain to sweep through. I really see no reason why Spain will not win every match and convincingly. The only way Spain doesn't win is because they choke, but I just don't see it. Chile is the next best team in my opinion but after losing their leading scorer things could be tough for them. I don't see Honduras doing much but they could manage a draw or 2. I think it comes down to the Swiss-Chile match. Whoever, wins this match will finish second in the group.
Spain (FIFA world rank 2, 13th appearance)
Spain, like Holland, is one of the best teams to never have won the world cup. Spain have always been considered underachievers until their Euro 2008 victory. Now Spain is considered the favorite to win this world cup. Qualification was a breeze for the Spaniards, easily finishing top of their group winning all 10 of their matches and boasting a +23 goal differential. Spain also had not lost a match in 30+ games until they lost to the US in the confederations cup last summer.
Spain has stars all over the field and many on the bench as well. They have the best strike partnership in the world with Fernando Torres and David Villa. These two play great together and know what to do in front of goal. The midfield is led by Xavi and Iniesta, the 2 best midfielders in the world. Also in the midfield is Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, and David Silva. That is 4 star players for only 2 spots. In defense, Spain have Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, Joan Capdevila, and Raul Albiol. Again, more players that spots on the field. Even in goal there are 3 starters almost anywhere else with Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes, and Pepe Reina. This is a great team with great players and should be the favorite.
Switzerland (24, 9)
Switzerland qualified top of their group beating out Greece and Latvia in the weakest of the UEFA groups. However, they were impressive, losing only once in 10 matches. They are a good team but not deep. They have talent across the board but lack depth should injury or suspension occur.
Alexander Frei is the goal scorer for the Swiss and has done so at all levels. Johan Vonlanthen is another striker who is fast and technically gifted. Philippe Senderos will anchor a back line that hopes to deter all opponents with a suffocating defense.
Chile (18, 9)
Chile finished second in the South American qualifying table. They beat out Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. They are a strong attacking and aggressive team. Expect to see them attack in waves and tackle hard when they lose the ball.
Humberto Suazo was expected to led the team and score plenty of goals, but a recent injury looks to keep him out of the world cup. He is still undergoing treatment for a torn hamstring and is taking medication that could be deemed illegal which whould certainly disqualify him. However, Chile with still have Claudio Bravo in goal to lead as well as Fabian Orellana. Chile have many well known players who practice their trade in Europe.
Honduras (38, 2)
Honduras returns to the world cup after a 28 year absence. They finished third in the CONCACAF qualification group based on goal differential over Costa Rica. Honduras actually gave up the fewest goals in the group allowing only 11, however, that is still more than 1 a game as they played 10 matches.
Honduras have the likes of Wilson Palacios, Julio Cesar Leon, and Edgar Alvarez leading the team. Carlos Pavon was the leading goal scorer during qualifying, scoring 7 of their 17 goals.
Predictions:
This group is well set up for Spain to sweep through. I really see no reason why Spain will not win every match and convincingly. The only way Spain doesn't win is because they choke, but I just don't see it. Chile is the next best team in my opinion but after losing their leading scorer things could be tough for them. I don't see Honduras doing much but they could manage a draw or 2. I think it comes down to the Swiss-Chile match. Whoever, wins this match will finish second in the group.
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