World Cup 2010 Predictions: Group B

Although it is considered by many people to be one of the easiest groups in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Group B should be quite entertaining.  With the exception of Greece, every team in this group is up tempo and fast-paced.  Argentina appears to be the odds on favorite in the group but the battle for second place is wide open.  Dictating the style of play will be crucial for Nigeria, South Korea, and Greece.  Will anyone be able to challenge Maradona's bunch at the top of the group?  Here are my predictions for Group B with each teams record and point totals in parentheses.

 1. Argentina (3-0-0, 9 points): Some teams are inconsistent around the world.  And then there is Argentina.  The Albicelestes have the talent to beat anyone in the world but have the tendency to play to the ability of their opponent.  The last 18 months are a perfect example of that as Argentina has beaten France, Germany, and Russia but have also lost to Bolivia 6-1 en route to a surprising fourth place finish in World Cup qualification.  When Argentina is clicking, they are lighting it up offensively behind the lethal attack of Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Diego Milito, Gonzalo Higuain, and Sergio Aguero.  Coach Diego Maradona made a statement about the importance of team chemistry when he did not include veterans Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan) and Esteban Cambiasso (Inter Milan) on the squad.  If this team can keep their heads on straight, there aren't many teams that can stand in their way.

 2. Nigeria (2-1-0, 6 points): After missing out in 2006, Nigeria returns to the World Cup with a good opportunity to make some noise.  The Super Eagles went undefeated in qualification and finished an impressive third in the 2010 African Cup of Nations.  They may not have the big names that other African teams have in this tournament, but Nigeria plays a very technical style of soccer that wins them matches.  Jon Obi Mikel (Chelsea) is the most talented player on the team but he won't be the one responsible for the goal scoring.  Forwards Yakubu and Obafemi Martins will have that duty.  In most groups, Nigeria would be the third or fourth best team.  But in Group B, they will have enough to move on and give the continent of Africa at least one team in the knockout stages.

 3. South Korea (1-2-0, 3 points): Like Nigeria, South Korea went undefeated in their qualification for the World Cup.  For most teams from Asia, it isn't custom to have a household name on a roster.  South Korea has one in Ji-Sung Park (Manchester United).  Although he isn't a regular on the roster, he has played against the top competition in the world year in and year out.  The Taegeuk do have some quality wins in international friendlies against Ivory Coast and Ecuador, but the difference between them and Nigeria will be the crowd.  Nigeria will have the fans behind them in Africa and will stop South Korea from moving forward.

 4. Greece (0-3-0, 0 points): Since their magical run in the 2004 Euro Championships, Greece has been an average team at best.  They failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany and lost all three matches they played in Euro 2008.  To their credit, they did play fairly well in qualifying, but it was in a very weak group that included Latvia, Luxembourg, and Moldova.  Many of the stars from their Cinderella run in '04 return this summer including striker Theofanis Gekas, but age has caught up with many of them.  Greece likes to slow the pace down and that will not work in this group of high-octane teams.  Expect Greece's recent lack of success to continue in South Africa.

World Cup 2010 Predictions: Group A

The greatest event in the world is just around the corner.  That's right people, not just the best sporting event in the world, but the best event in the world.  The FIFA World Cup begins June 11 and Italy is looking to defend their 2006 title while 31 other teams will be looking to dethrone them.  For the first time ever, the tournament will be played in Africa as South Africa will be the host for the month-long event. 

(one of the best sports themes ever...forgive the part of the video that is cut off)

So get excited ladies and gents.  I will reveal my predictions for the tournament over the next twelve days starting today with Group A.  The host nation South Africa will be joined by France, Mexico, and Uruguay with matches starting June 11th.  Will the Bafana Bafana be the first host nation not to advance to the knockout stages? Here are my predictions for Group A along with each team's record in point totals in parentheses.

1. Uruguay (2-0-1, 7 points): The team that won the first ever World Cup in 1930 makes its return for the first time since 2002.  The Charrúas haven't made a name for themselves on the world stage in a long time as they have failed to qualify for three of the last five World Cups.  That will change this summer as Uruguay is entering the tournament in excellent form.  Since surviving a qualification playoff against Costa Rica to get into the tournament, Uruguay has won two impressive friendlies over the last two months against Switzerland and Israel.  Uruguay has a potent offense led by the excellent striker duo of Diego Forlan (Atletico Madrid) and Luis Suarez (Ajax).  A win or tie is crucial in their tournament opener against France to keep their momentum going.  If they do so, they will be on the right track towards a promising summer.

 2. France (1-0-2, 5 points): No team has faced more scrutiny in the last eight months than France.  From Thierry Henry's controversial hand ball that propelled them into the World Cup to the underage prostitution scandal that included star midfielder Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich), Les Bleus is receiving a lot of criticism.  France is without a doubt one of the toughest teams to read coming into the World Cup.  Their results in the last week are a definite cause for concern as they only managed a 2-1 victory over Costa Rica and a 1-1 draw against Tunisia.  That being said, France has a knack for surprising people and sneaking up on the competition.  They did that in 2006 as they navigated through group play and eventually got to the final against Italy.  It won't be pretty by any means, but the French will advance to the knockout stage thanks to their defense and goalkeeping.

 3. Mexico (1-2-0, 3 points): Mexico has been quite successful in recent World Cups advancing to the knockout stage in the last three.  They finished second in CONACAF qualifying just one point behind the United States and were almost unbeatable at home.  The problem is their form away from home.  El Tri has tried to prepare themselves for that problem by playing top squads such as England, the Netherlands, and Italy.  Mexico has the firepower on offense led by young starlets Javier Hernandez (Manchester United) and Carlos Vela (Arsenal), but how it transfers from the Azteca to South Africa is the question.  Mexico will get a win in their opener against South Africa, but the road gets a lot steeper after that.  They will struggle against France and Uruguay and miss out on the knockout stage.

 4. South Africa (0-3-0, 0 points): One of the most talked about subjects heading into the World Cup is how well will the host nation compete.  The answer will be disappointing in terms of results, but the Bafana Bafana will provide a lot of entertainment for their home country.  Steven Peinaar (Everton) is a world-class talent that should get some much-deserved attention this tournament.  South Africa has done well in recent friendlies including a tie with Paraguay and wins against Colombia.  With what will be a raucous crowd behind them, every match is winnable.  Unfortunately for the host nation, their excitement and charisma won't lead to positive results.