BENNY’S WORLD CUP PREVIEW

GROUP A: France, Mexico, Uruguay, South Africa

PREDICTIONS:
Winners: France
Runners Up: South Africa

I have actually had a cheeky bet on France to crash out in the first round. Their form hasn’t been particularly inspiring leading up to the competition and last week’s defeat to China was as bad as it gets. They seem to be lacking in central midfield, and when you consider that in recent World Cups they had midfielders in the class of Viera and Zidane, it just goes to show how much they are lacking in that department.
Much depends on Franck Ribery, and Lassana Diarra is a huge loss. However, in my opinion they do have the best goalkeeper in the world in Hugo Loris, so they will always have a chance. I think the French will qualify, but not convincingly. And a repeat of four years ago is highly unlikely.

South Africa are unbeaten in 12 games leading up to the tournament and have a vastly experienced coach in Carlos Alberto Parreira – a World Cup winning manager.
The Bafana Bafana proved in last year’s Confederations Cup that they are an organised outfit and with the vociferous home support may well just reach the knock-out stages.

Uruguay are always competitive, and in Diego Forlan and Luis Alberto Suarez they have two real match winners. However, they are not the power-house of previous campaigns and I don’t think they will qualify.

Mexico had a torrid early qualification campaign but they just about got to South Africa.
They always play attractive football and have many gifted players. The Mexicans nearly always seem to get out of the group stages, but I think they will fail this time will be going up early for the first time since failing to qualify for Italia 90.


GROUP B: Argentina, Nigeria, Greece, South Korea

PREDICTIONS:
Winners: Argentina
Runners Up: Nigeria

Argentina have the best squad at the tournament as far as I am concerned. Their four strikers are un-paralleled, while Angel di Maria is a fantastic young player. But they are a little shaky in defence and Cambiasso is a strange omission in midfield. Will Messi even start? Will he be suffering from burn out?
I think they will get to at least the quarter finals, but will probably play Germany. Whether or not Maradona can tactically outwit the Germans will be fascinating. The South Americans are a difficult team to call, and actually rather like England and Spain, have flopped dramatically in recent tournaments. They are unpredictable, just like their manager, but I think they will have a decent tournament.

Nigeria do not have the household names of the past, but always have talented players and decent strikers. I think they will sneak into second place, although the clash with South Korea will decide their fate. Yakubu is a big player for them, in more ways than one, and hopefully for the Nigerians he has shed some of the weight he gained from his long term injury at Everton.

South Korea are a decent team who can always be competitive and are incredibly fit and athletic. What they lack in skill they more than make up for in endeavor, and I think they will run Nigeria close.

Greece have gone backwards since 2004, and although they still have the same manager I think they will be the whipping boys as they were in Euro 2008.They are an ageing squad who peaked sensationally six years ago, but they will not progress from this group. They actually did well to qualify in the first place.


GROUP C: England, USA, Slovenia, Algeria

PREDICTIONS
Winners: England
Runners Up: USA

England have had several recent poor performances in friendlies, but they still won the games without playing well which is a good sign. But the experience of Ferdinand will be missed despite the poor season he has had.
The two full backs will be crucial to England’s chance and I think they have the best set of full backs at the tournament, often a trait of a World Cup winning team.
So much of course depends on Wayne Rooney, but I think Gareth Barry’s fitness is also crucial as he creates the platform for Gerrard and Lampard to plough forward.England have the best draw of all the leading contenders and I think they will make the semi finals. After that, they may just come up a bit short. I hope I’m wrong though!

The USA are a talented side and possibly the fittest outfit in the competition. They have a terrific goalkeeper and a solid defence and are excellent on the counter attack.
They also demonstrated how dangerous they can be when last summer they should have won the Confederations Cup. I think they will go through as runners up and actually think they will draw with England. The Americans will progress to the knockout stages but no further.

Slovenia defeated Guus Hiddink’s talented Russian side to progress to South Africa and that cannot be underestimated. However, while they are very strong at home, they are not the greatest travellers. They do not have a star with a real spark like they did in 2000 and 2002, when they had the enigmatic but supremely gifted playmaker- Zlatko Zahovic. In those days they were a good side, but his time round, although I anticipate some tight encounters, ultimately, early elimination is likely.

Algeria will be the whipping boys in this group. They have some talented players but are in-disciplined in defence and I think are just happy to be here. Their World Cup final was beating Egypt. I was not impressed with the Algerians in the African Nations Cup and they have not had the best preparation, so expect them to finish bottom of the group.

GROUP D: Germany, Serbia, Ghana, Australia

PREDICTIONS:
Winner: Germany
Runner Up: Serbia

Germany are Germany and will always be a threat. But I don’t believe they are major contenders this time around. They do not have the quality of goalkeeper this time around and Michael Ballack is a big loss, probably more in the dressing room than on the pitch.
Miroslav Klose is the vital statistic though. The goals have dried up for him this season and although a renaissance wouldn’t surprise me, I feel his best days are behind him.
Although many of the squad were part of the Bayern Munich team who made it to the Champions League final, I think they will go out in the quarter finals or possibly the last four, but certainly no further.

Serbia are an excellent outfit and they had a supreme qualifying campaign. They have a terrific defence and an exciting attack in a side that includes multiple Champions League winning players. I am especially exited to see how the new Liverpool signing - Milan Jovanovic performs. I think they will qualify from this group but I believe England will overpower them in the second round, although it may take extra time.

Ghana have lost their best player – Michael Essien and he is a huge loss. With him I would have made them favourites to qualify in second place, but without him, I can’t see them qualifying. However, the ‘Africa’ element may inspire them and prove me wrong.

Australia’s fans bring colour to the tournament, but I can’t see them repeating their performance of four years ago. Their players are four years older, and many of their stars are in the twilight of their careers. I think they will come bottom of the group and fail to achieve their dream of a probable second round clash with their arch sporting rivals – England.

GROUP E: Holland, Cameroon, Denmark, Japan

PREDICTIONS:
Winners: Holland
Runners Up: Cameroon

Holland are, as always, full of class players and like Germany, will always be a dangerous proposition. However I don’t see them as potential winners and I predict a quarter final exit to Brazil. They will score plenty of goals and in Schneider, Van Persie, Kuyt and Robben they have an exciting front four with Van Bommel and Van de Vaart behind. However, the defence is low on quality and that will cost them in the later stages. So much depends on Robben’s fitness.

Cameroon are my dark horses for the tournament. They have Samuel Eto, who is the jewel in the crown, and they played quite well in the African Nations Cup. I just think they are better than the other teams in the group and I think playing in Africa may inspire them. I think they are the giants of African football and it’s the perfect stage for them.

Denmark are a functional side, but do not have the quality of years gone by. Nicolas Bedtner is their main striker, and for me, that fully demonstrates their problems.
They have a solid defence and midfield, but I think Cameroon will pip them to the runners up spot as they will score more goals. But the Danes, as we know, are always capable of springing a surprise.

Japan played well in the recent friendly with England, but are generally out of form. They were well beaten by Asian rivals South Korea and the Ivory Coast in recent weeks, while a recent change of coach has not helped continuity. There is no Nakata either, which equals a first round exit for the second successive World Cup finals.


GROUP F: Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, New Zealand

PREDICTIONS:
Winners: Italy
Runners Up: Paraguay

If England and Spain were happy with their groups, Italy must have been ‘over the moon’ with theirs. The defending champions are not in form, but they will cruise through this group. But although the Italians are often written off and then prove every critic wrong, I am pretty sure they won’t regain their title. I think a quarter final exit to Spain is a likely scenario, although a second round match with Cameroon could also be a potential banana skin. This is one World Cup too far for the Italians and although France proved that old squads can get to World Cup finals, Italy have no Zidane and even under the brilliant Marcello Lippi I cannot see them being there in the last week of the tournament.

Paraguay will probably go through as runners up by default. They are a decent side and had an excellent qualifying campaign. But they have lost their star striker Salavador Cabanas, who was tragically shot in Mexico recently. They will score goals, so I think they will scrape into second place.

Slovakia are an efficient side entering their first World Cup. There are not many household names but an excellent team spirit. They play some decent football, but lack a real genuine star to open up the opposition’s defence. An early plane home awaits I’m afraid, but look out for their young midfielder, Marek Hamsik, who is an excellent prospect.

New Zealand are the poorest team in the tournament in my view. It is a ‘World Cup’ but Bulgaria, Ireland, Sweden, Egypt and Columbia are not in this tournament and the Kiwis are. The fans will enjoy it, but I predict no goals and a minus goal difference, possibly in double figures.

GROUP G: Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast, North Korea

PREDICTIONS:
Winners: Brazil
Runners Up: Portugal

Brazil are my tip to win the tournament. They are not an attacking team, full of flair that we would expect and Dunga is a rather dogmatic coach. Kaka is of course, a vital element, and I think after his injury hit season he will be fresh and hungry. I also believe Luis Fabiano will be a star in this competition, while Robinho will show us just what we missed in the Premiership. The former Manchester City star is much more comfortable with his Portuguese speaking team mates and should be fully focused. I firmly believe this methodical, but ‘machine like’ Brazil team will finish as champions.

Portugal have suffered a big blow with the loss of Nani, who has started to illustrate his full potential this season. Ronaldo is not the same animal at international level, and as always the team do not have anything approaching a world class striker. Saying that, they are always capable of an upset, but I don’t think CarlosQuiroz is an effective man manager, despite being an excellent coach. Portugal were lucky to qualify and a narrow second round exit to Spain looms.

Ivory Coast are full of excellent individuals, but a little like England, have never really looked like a winning golden generation. I believe that they should qualify above Portugal, but they won’t. The probable loss of Didier Drogba for the opening games obviously hinders them, but maybe his lack of presence could be a good thing. Maybe other players can express themselves more.
Sven Goran Eriksson is an astute appointment, but I feel he has been left too much to do in a short time. The Portugal game is crucial, but I feel the Elephants will go out early, possibly on goal difference.

I can’t wait to see the North Koreans play. I have watched them play on Chinese television, and they are very well organised and difficult to break down. I don’t think they will concede too many goals, but they won’t score many either. I think they will give a good account of themselves but ultimately finish pointless. Look out for the Japanese born striker Jong Tae-Se. He is an exciting player with excellent technique.



GROUP H : Spain, Switzerland, Chile, Honduras

PREDICTIONS:
Winners: Spain
Runners Up: Switzerland

Spain are the favourites for the competition and rightly so. They have been splendid over the last three years. Their midfield is second to none, and the fact that Fabregas may not even start speaks volumes about their strength. I do believe that the fitness of Fernando Torres is key because in my opinion he is more effective in tight games than David Villa. Spain should reach the final, but they do have a potentially tough route to the final and some of their Barcelona stars such as Xavi and Puyol may feel lethargic in the latter stages.
Marcos Senna is a strange omission by Vincente del Bosque and probably means Xavi Alonso will be the main holding midfielder. I think it may be a decision that haunts the Spanish boss and I believe the Spanish will fall just short. But will still have their best ever World Cup campaign.

Switzerland are a solid team with an excellent manager in Ottmar Hitzfeld. The defence is very solid, but Alexander Frei has had some injury problems and he is crucial to the way they play. I think they will come through this group just ahead of Chile, but will come up against a Brazil side who will be too strong.

Chile are a very exciting, attacking team who will score a few goals, but will also concede a few as well. They were impressive in qualifying and have some excellent attacking players, including Humberto Suazo and Matias Hernandez. However, this is a tough group, and although I think they could grab the runners up spot, I slightly favour Switzerland due to their outstanding tactical manager. I could easily be proved wrong though. Tough to call!

Honduras are just happy to be in South Africa. We know Wilson Palacios is an outstanding holding midfielder, but the rest of the team are not quite up to his level. A good experience and some very noisy supporters, but ultimately I fear they will be on the plane come June the 25th.





BENNY’S CRYSTAL BALL OF FINAL OUTCOMES.

Winners: Brazil
Runners up: Spain
England: Semi Finals (not patriotic, I really believe it!)
Surprise package: Cameroon or South Africa
Top scorer: Luis Fabiano (Brazil)
Biggest disappointment; David Villa (Spain) (in the knockout stages anyway)
Player to watch: Angel di Maria (Argentina)
Player of the tournament: Robinho (Brazil)