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.