World Cup 2010 Predictions: Group F

Group F is the home of the defending World Cup champions, Italy.  Luckily for them, Group F isn't the home of many dangerous threats.  Italy is joined by Paraguay, Slovakia, and New Zealand in a very tame Group F.  But just because the quality of teams may not be there doesn't mean that Group F won't be a tough and intriguing fight for the top two spots.  Is Italy a lock for the top position in Group F?  Here are my predictions with each team's records and point totals in parentheses.

 1. Italy (2-0-1, 7 points): The defending World Cup champs head to South Africa with a much different look than four years ago.  Just nine players are left from the squad in 2006 as Nesta (AC Milan), Totti (Roma), Grosso (Juventus), Toni (Roma), Materazzi (Inter Milan), and Del Piero (Juventus) were ommitted.  No matter the players though, the style stays the same for the Azzurri.  Italy gets it done with their defense and their all-world goalkeeper Gigi Buffon (Juventus).  They will never light up the scoreboard with their style as they would rather win a grueling battle 1-0 or 2-1.  A major story for Italy will be the health of midfielder Andrea Pirlo.  The midfield maestro has a nagging groin injury that may keep him off the field for a game or two.  Italy may take a couple games to get going, but their strength and experience will get them to the top of the group. 

 2. Slovakia (1-0-2): Making their first trip to the World Cup as an independent nation, Slovakia is looking to prove that they are one of the world's best.  They won their qualifying group against local rivals Slovenia and Czech Republic.  Much like Italy, the Slovaks get it done on the defensive end.  Martin Škrtel (Liverpool) anchors a strong back line in front of up-and-coming goalkeeper Jan Mucha (Everton).  On the offensive side, Slovakia has one of the most promising midfielders in the world today in Marek Hamsik (Napoli).  Hamsik will create for the likes of striker Stanislav Sestak (Bochum) and Slovakia will score enough to make a historical trip to the round of 16.

 3. Paraguay (0-1-2, 2 points): Paraguay makes their fourth straight trip to the World Cup this summer.  The Guaraníes finished a tie for second place in qualifying with Chile trailing only Brazil.  Tragedy hit the team though in January when their best striker, Salvador Cabañas (Club America), was shot in the head outside of a bar in Mexico.  Cabañas was the team's best striker and that role now falls to Roque Santa Cruz (Manchester City).  He struggled this season in the EPL and comes into this tournament in poor form.  Paraguay has had a curse recently of not being able to get past the round of 16 in the World Cup.  They will fall well short of that in South Africa.

 4. New Zealand (0-2-1, 1 point): One of the best stories of this World Cup is New Zealand.  The All Whites are in the field for the first time since 1982.  Up until the last week, everyone believed New Zealand to be a walkover and a simple victory for the other teams in Group F.  But after they knocked off Serbia 1-0 last Saturday, the rest of the tournament found out that they won't be a pushover.  New Zealand has performed well in recent friendlies dropping close matches to Australia 2-1 and Italy 4-3.  Ryan Nelson (Blackburn) is their most well-known player and a solid force in the back four.  New Zealand isn't a threat to make the knockout stages, but they will play spoiler for some team in Group F.