FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014

[spacedoodoopistol]

Predictions in a tourney like this are tough.....in a 4-team round robin almost anything can happen. But here goes!

Group A: Brazil, Croatia - no contest

Group B: Spain, Chile - I don't like Netherlands team, their good players are almost all over the hill and/or injury prone, the youth not all great. I give Chile the home-continent advantage.

Group C: Colombia, Ivory Coast - weak group, who knows, anything can happen here

Group D: Uruguay, Italy - England melts, Italy solid and smart, Uruguay explosive with Suarez dominating

Group E: Switzerland, France - cakewalk so easy even France can't screw it up.

Group F: Argentina, Nigeria - random Nigeria call just because I expect unexpected things, I don't like their team but they did win Africa Cup of Nations this year.

Group G: Germany, Portugal - Can easily envision Portugal underachieving but this should be the pair

Group H: Belgium, Algeria - Russians melt and fight amongst themselves. Have heard good things about Algeria. Past Belgium really no confidence about any of them though.

 

[Jim Rome is Flaming]

Is it though? The next World Cup is in Qatar (bribes?), soccer is notorious for having fixed matches, FIFA at the end of the day is a business in it to make money. It just seems a little to coincidental that the teams that make FIFA the most money tend to get the benefit of the doubt (Henry handball vs Ireland anyone?). Is it 100% a fix? I won't say that. Is it possible this is all legit and this is simply the way it is? Sure. But where there's smoke...

I don't think the assertion of fixing the draw is ludicrous at all. Not that I'm trying to make excuses (I'll root for the US but won't be heartbroken if they lose), but soccer has had a couple of occurrences in the last couple of years that make it a very valid question. I really don't think it was fixed to screw the US, where I think the fixing occurs is in helping the host nation to an easy draw.

 

[spacedoodoopistol]

Is it though? The next World Cup is in Qatar (bribes?), soccer is notorious for having fixed matches, FIFA at the end of the day is a business in it to make money. It just seems a little to coincidental that the teams that make FIFA the most money tend to get the benefit of the doubt (Henry handball vs Ireland anyone?). Is it 100% a fix? I won't say that. Is it possible this is all legit and this is simply the way it is? Sure. But where there's smoke...

Too many reasons to think otherwise. First the basics common to most unlikely conspiracies, 1. it would involve too many people, and 2. terrible risk/reward ratio, the downside of getting caught (mega-scandal) too heavily outweighs the potential benefits of the scam. Its not like keeping France in it gives them some huge advantage, or really any at all.

Past that, it would be fishy that they'd rig this, but would have left France with one of the tougher draws (Ukraine) in the playoff round instead of giving them Iceland or something. Or before that, putting them in a 5-team group with Spain in qualifying that virtually guaranteed they'd have a tough road.......why wait until the very end to start rigging things? Vastly likely its all above level, just amazingly fortunate for France.

 

[hokiegrad]

I'll save any predictions for much closer to time. Does Robben have complications recovering from that nasty cut? Who else goes down to injury between now and then? Things like these can have such a big impact.

 

[olympicoscar]

Recap:

Group A: Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico, Croatia
Group B: Spain, Chile, Australia, Netherlands
Group C: Colombia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Greece
Group D: Uruguay, Italy, Costa Rica, England
Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, Honduras, France
Group F: Argentina, Nigeria, Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group G: Germany, Ghana, United States, Portugal
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Korea Republic, Russia

Just my predictions.

A: Brazil and Croatia. I give Mexico a chance
B. Spain and Netherlands
C. Japan and Colombia
D. Italy and England. Uruguay has a legit shot also
E. France and Ecuador. Switzerland has a chance
F. Argentina and Bosnia. Nigeria maybe
G. Germany and Portugal. US has a chance
H. Belgium and Russia. Korea with a chance.

 

[antone112]

I love our draw. This is why you go to the world cup, to play the best. Can't piss down your leg, like 2006. Need to step up to the challenge. I'm excited to say the least.

 

[Paolo305613]

Loving it that there is a World Cup thread up. Hope to see many more as the day get closer

 

[bksballer89]

The only good thing I can say about our group is at least they didn't draw us with Germany or Portugal in the opening game which would have put us in big trouble. If we beat Ghana while Germany beat Portugal, we would be in great shape heading into the final group match if we are able to draw Portugal while Germany would beat Ghana.

 

[bksballer89]

Bold Predictions for the WC fellas? I have 3

1) Spain will not make it out of group stage
2) Brazil will be eliminated by Netherlands in the round of 16
3) Not only will the USA make it out of the group but we will finish 1st and make it to the QF

 

[boltfan72]

Bold Predictions for the WC fellas? I have 3

1) Spain will not make it out of group stage
2) Brazil will be eliminated by Netherlands in the round of 16
3) Not only will the USA make it out of the group but we will finish 1st and make it to the QF

There's a fine line between bold and stupid.

 

[boltfan72]

The only good thing I can say about our group is at least they didn't draw us with Germany or Portugal in the opening game which would have put us in big trouble. If we beat Ghana while Germany beat Portugal, we would be in great shape heading into the final group match if we are able to draw Portugal while Germany would beat Ghana.

On the other hand if they lose to Ghana they're dead in the water after one game. Not easy to open with a must win game.

I'm not expecting much, but it's nice to see them with the opportunity to play world powers on the biggest stage.

 

[boltfan72]

I love our draw. This is why you go to the world cup, to play the best. Can't piss down your leg, like 2006. Need to step up to the challenge. I'm excited to say the least.

Pretty much my sentiment exactly. Really looking forward to this Cup.

 

[CalamityX11]

Regarding the US, the first match vs Ghana is clearly a must win. It is, it's their most capable of a win thus its their must win of the group.

Find a way to end in ties vs the others and they should be in good shape.

A Loss or tie vs Ghana, already puts USA on the brink of elimination IMO.

 

[bksballer89]

There's a fine line between bold and stupid.

If you have something to say just say it....No time to beat around the bush.

 

[bksballer89]

On the other hand if they lose to Ghana they're dead in the water after one game. Not easy to open with a must win game.

I'm not expecting much, but it's nice to see them with the opportunity to play world powers on the biggest stage.

I agree that if we lose to Ghana we are dead in the water. If we draw it wouldn't be so bad especially if Germany and Portugal draw as well but the best case scenario is for us to beat Ghana and hope that there isn't a draw in the Germany/Portugal game which would mean we would be 3 points ahead of 1 of them.

 

[ugafan6612]

Revenge against Ghana would be a perfect early bday present for me

 

[olympicoscar]

Ghana is a must win. There is a chance for a win against Portugal.

 

[romeo212000]

Must win against Ghana. Gives us a lot bigger margin going against Germany and Portugal where ties will be good enough.

United states could get wins against both those teams. It certainly wouldn't be the first time the United States shocked a soccer power. I honestly think 4 points might move us out of the group, and I know 5 will.

 

[bksballer89]

Wouldn't it be great if we clinch before the game against Germany if both of us are 2-0? Unlikely but that would be amazing

 

[Airraidtech]

I think we have a legitimate chance to sneak one against Portugal. Slowing down Ronaldo will be the key.