2014 FIFA World Cup

[Dead throne]

who do we think will be the top 2 teams of each group then?

Group A: Brazil, Mexico

Group B: Netherlands, Spain

Group C: Japan, Colombia

Group D: Uruguay, England?

Group E: No idea...France?

Group F: Argentina, Nigeria

Group G: Germany, Portugal

Group H: Belgium, Russia

[Gucci Piggy]

Winners followed by runners up.

A: Brazil, Mexico

B: Spain, Netherlands

C: Colombia, Ivory Coast

D: Uruguay, Italy

E: France, Ecuador

F: Argentina, Nigeria

G: Germany, Portugal

H: Belgium, Russia

[kaosmark2]

I disagree with virtually everyone's assessments, so here's my top 2 and reasoning.

A: Brazil, Croatia - I don't think Mexico are actually that good, their best players are all out of form, and Croatia have the ability to retain possession which should help them compensate for the climate troubles.

B: Spain, Chile - By contrast, the Dutch all hate each other as per usual. Huntelaar and RVP in particular. Half their players have had bad seasons, and being in North Europe they'll struggle far more than other teams. Chile however, have a team in the ascendancy.

C: Ivory Coast, Japan - I think the loss of Falcao is massive for Columbia, but this is probably the tightest group. I don't think climate will adversely affect any of the teams in this group though, so I'm going with on paper strength.

D: Uruguay, Italy - England could qualify, I think they have a better chance than the Dutch, but they're still pretty poor through the squad. Lots of players at half-fitness, little experience, and Cashley is a massive loss IMO.

E: France, Switzerland - Ecuador may be South American, but that doesn't mean they're any good. I think the first match in that group is key, and I suspect it'll end in a draw but with France whooping Ecuador by more.

F: Argentina, Bosnia - Nigeria are in a poor state, hell they've had to seduce Shola Ameobi into playing for them, while Bosnia have some top players in form, most notably Dzeko and Begovic.

G: Germany, Ghana - Portugal are as much of a one man team as you can get, while Ghana have a lot of talented players who'll be keen to make another good showing after their exploits in SA.

H: Belgium, S. Korea - Russia rarely do well at major tournaments, and will probably, of all the teams in the tournament, struggle with the heat the most. South Korea may not be flashy, but they have decent talent and usually perform to some degree.

I've placed a variety of bets on this, so lets see how much I lose

[Gucci Piggy]

Mexico don't even have Vela in the squad either, do they? That's not great.

[LondonTom]

A: Brazil, Cameroon

B: Spain, Netherlands

C: Ivory Coast, Japan

D: Uruguay, Italy

E: France, Ecuador

F: Argentina, Bosnia-Hercegovina

G: Germany, USA

H: Belgium, South Korea

[dentalplan]

A: Brazil, Croatia

B: Spain, Netherlands

C: Japan, Ivory Coast

D: Italy, England

E: Switzerland, France

F: Argentina, Bosnia

G: Germany, Portugal

H: Russia, Belgium

[Ted Dansons Wig]

A: Brazil; Croatia

B: Spain; Netherlands

C: Columbia; Ivory Coast;

D; England; Italy

E: France; Switzerland

F: Argentina; Bosnia

G: Germany, Portugal

H: Belgium; Algeria

[eFestivals]

does anyone want to reconsider their France predictions? Ribery is out injured.

Edited June 6, 2014 by eFestivals

[Andre91]

Group A: Brazil, Croatia

Group B: Spain, Chile

Group C: Colombia, Ivory Coast

Group D: Uruguay, England

Group E: France, Switzerland

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Group G: Germany, Portugal

Group H: Belgium, Russia

[Andre91]

does anyone want to reconsider their France predictions? Ribery is out injured.

[kaosmark2]

does anyone want to reconsider their France predictions? Ribery is out injured.

[dentalplan]

Nah, I think they've still got enough talent and an easy group.

Edited June 6, 2014 by dentalplan

[kaosmark2]

They're always expected to walk the group but make a pig's ear of it.

Besides, Switzerland are decent, Ecuador can be tricky and we'll probably be saying the same for Honduras in 24 hours time.

[dentalplan]

I made £30 out of betting for them to fuck it up 4 years ago. I don't think there's enough problems for the teams they're drawn against to stop them topping it. I don't expect them to 9 points, 10 goals it, but I still reckon they'll win.

[kaosmark2]

Perhaps. Every WC I've watched in my lifetime (bar the first one) France have started off pretty appallingly so I just naturally don't rate them based on their team strength. Ribery's injury could actually allow for more team play though so you never know.

[Gucci Piggy]

Yeah, Ribery being out and France having to start Valbuena and Griezmann on the wings shouldn't cause them to struggle. If they do poorly, then it won't be because the team they put out lacks the talent to go through.

[Bobs]

Was worth doing it.

Got great odds on England's results in the group going: Draw, Draw, Win.

Also done the same for... 0-0; 1-1 and 1-0 at a corking 375/1

I'd also say Group D, will be the group which will flatter to deceive.

Italy - Not what they once were. they are lacking an incredible amount of firepower, but their defence looks solid as per usual. Their poor location for hotel, may take its toll.

Uruguay - Will make it through the group for me; but only due to their exposure to the climate. With a hugely ageing squad, they may struggle against younger sides. Suarez being fit is key for them.

England - Based on the team selection Versus Honduras, and Hodgson's persistence on playing Welbeck, yet leaving Sterling, and Barkley most importantly on the bench will ultimately kill off England for me. There is a youthful core, which is dying to be exposed, and the slower teams like Uruguay and Italy, will need Sterling, Barkley's pace to be decisive, not Danny Welbeck shimmying out of play.

Costa Rica - Can go in with no pressure. Good on them, they'll be a real handful, as Germany and Poland found out in 2006, they are tricky opposition for European sides, and given that they'll be in similar. but not identical surroundings. Could easily be tricky if not approached carefully.

Edited June 7, 2014 by Bobs

[Andre91]

Not feeling Danny Welbeck as a Starting XI player at all. His selection comes down to Hodgson being very loyal to players he likes. For example, Andros Townsend. If he wasn't injured, I don't doubt that he would not only be in the squad, but in the starting XI. He is another player Hodgson likes. You can't fault the man for his loyalty to players, but his loyalty seems to lie with questionable individuals.

[Gucci Piggy]

If Rooney starts after his performance compared to Barkley last night then I'm completely baffled.

Hart

Johnson Jagielka Cahill Baines

Gerrard Henderson

Lallana Barkley Sterling

Sturridge

That's what I'd go with, and hope the Ox is ready to play if we reach the knockout stages.

[pink_triangle]

Was worth doing it.

Got great odds on England's results in the group going: Draw, Draw, Win.

Also done the same for... 0-0; 1-1 and 1-0 at a corking 375/1

I'd also say Group D, will be the group which will flatter to deceive.

Italy - Not what they once were. they are lacking an incredible amount of firepower, but their defence looks solid as per usual. Their poor location for hotel, may take its toll.

[pink_triangle]

Not feeling Danny Welbeck as a Starting XI player at all. His selection comes down to Hodgson being very loyal to players he likes. For example, Andros Townsend. If he wasn't injured, I don't doubt that he would not only be in the squad, but in the starting XI. He is another player Hodgson likes. You can't fault the man for his loyalty to players, but his loyalty seems to lie with questionable individuals.

[dentalplan]

England - Based on the team selection Versus Honduras, and Hodgson's persistence on playing Welbeck, yet leaving Sterling, and Barkley most importantly on the bench will ultimately kill off England for me. There is a youthful core, which is dying to be exposed, and the slower teams like Uruguay and Italy, will need Sterling, Barkley's pace to be decisive, not Danny Welbeck shimmying out of play.

[Jackmypie]

Johnson was rubbish again last night. He has a knack for giving the ball away way too often. Flanagan has been miles ahead of im this season for Liverpool, I would have picked him over Johnson tbh.

Barkley was class last night after he came on though, hope he starts against Italy instead of Rooney.

[Gucci Piggy]

Johnson was rubbish again last night. He has a knack for giving the ball away way too often. Flanagan has been miles ahead of im this season for Liverpool, I would have picked him over Johnson tbh.

Barkley was class last night after he came on though, hope he starts against Italy instead of Rooney.

[ThomThomDrum]

There is no way Woy drops Rooney. He should but I dont think he has the balls to