Round of 16 – Predictions! [Part 1]

Ohhh baby! We’re here – KNOCKOUT FOOTBALL!

Italy. Gone.

England. Out.

Spain. Bye Bye.

Portugal. See ya later.

With European giants crashing out, the Netherlands held the banner high – but it has been the Americas that have set the World Cup alight. Costa Rica topped Group D, Chile stunned Group B and Colombia scored 9 goals without Falcao – seriously, I’m not making this up.

Toss in a mix of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay chewing their way through England and Italy, and you have 5 South American sides in the knockout rounds.

And here’s how we see the Round of 16 shaking out:

 

 

Brazil v Chile

Chile to upset Neymar and Co.

Brazil didn’t exactly light the group stage on fire, while Chile showed they are a tough side to beat, a side who can score and counter extremely well.

With the weight of expectations on Brazil sky-high, this match will go two ways: Brazil dominates and scores for fun OR Chile suffocates their stars with pressure and sneaks a one goal win.

While Vidal will be massive in the midfield and the back four have to be spot on, it will be Claudio Bravo who must play the match of his life against Brazil – under siege for 90 minutes, he’ll need heroics to keep his side in it.

Prediction: Brazil 1 – 2 Chile

Man of the Match: Claudio Bravo

 

Colombia v Uruguay

With BiteGate in full effect, the sharks are circling and Uruguay will have to look somewhere other than Luis Suarez for goals. The Liverpool man (For Now…) struck gold for his side against England, and helped inspire them to a win over Italy – but Colombia is scoring goals for fun and Uruguay will find it tough to match their play.

James Rodriguez has impressed so far, I expect him to put on a masterclass against a slower Uruguayan side and push his team to the Quarterfinals.

Prediction: Colombia 1 – 0

Man of the Match: James Rodriguez

Netherlands v Mexico

Netherlands flying into the Quarterfinals

The Dutch arrived at the World Cup in style, demolishing Spain but were less than convincing against the Socceroos.

A strong win against Chile put them back as favourites and while Mexico has impressed in their newest system, I fear that the Miguel Herrara’s side lack the depth to go toe-to-toe with the Netherlands for 90 minutes.

Mexico will have to be on point to keep the likes of Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie at bay, not to mention the rest of the lethal Dutch players.

Prediction: Netherlands 3 – 1 Mexico

Man of the Match: Arjen Robben

 

Costa Rica v Greece

Let’s be perfectly clear: the Greeks are here because of a very, very dodgy penalty call. They were boring, harsh on the eyes

Keylor Navas has been a rock in net for Costa Rica

and possibly the weakest side in the final 16.

Now that i’ve cleared that up: Costa Rica are fantastic.

Fun to watch, hard working and they will make you pay on the counter attack – I expect them to slice up their opponents and serve them up on a platter.

Keylor Navas has been brilliant in net, while Joel Campbell has lit it up and Bryan Ruiz has shown the craft and skill that was once expected of him.

Prediction: Costa Rica 3 – 0 Greece

Man of the Match: Joel Campbell

Predictions: How did we do in the Group Stage?

Costa Rica easily topped Group D

Annnnd, that’s a wrap.

The Groups are done with England, Italy, Portugal and Spain all sent packing, while South Americans reign supreme with Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina all progressing to the next stage.

So, how did our predictions go in the Group Stage? Here’s how:

 

Group A

Our prediction: Brazil, Croatia

What happened: Brazil, Mexico

Croatia can feel hurt by a controversial few calls in the first game against Brazil, but when they needed a win against Mexico to go through – they capitulated and a late red card killed any chance of a comeback.

Group B

Prediction: Spain, Chile

What Happened: Netherlands, Chile

The Dutch wave came crashing through Group B, slaughtering the Spaniards and setting up the Chileans to storm into the knockouts, a matchup with Brazil awaits the Group B runner ups.

Group C

Prediction: Ivory Coast, Colombia

What Happened: Colombia, Greece

Colombia won’t do anything without Falcao they said. Well, they did and they topped Group C with 9 goals, second only to the Dutch in the group stage. And Greece? Well, a cheeky Samaras penalty and some lucky snuck them through.

Group D

Prediction: England, Italy

What Happened: Costa Rica, Uruguay

– Costa Rica quickly became the darlings of the World Cup with a comprehensive win over Uruguay, but England and Italy also did little to impress – both losing matches to Uruguay and unable to book places in the final 16. England were especially lack lustre, frail and unimpressive – typical.

Group E

Prediction: France, Switzerland

What Happened: France, Switzerland

PERFECT! A perfect group, that’s all I have to say – France rallied after losing Ribery pre-tournament and look to be a real contender in Brazil.

Group F

Prediction: Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina

What Happened: Argentina, Nigeria

Well, Leo Messi’s uncle might not be happy with his performance but his teammates will be okay with the timely goals the little magician scored to help Argentina top Group F. Nigeria played well enough to advance, but a payment row threatens to derail their knockout round before it starts.

Group G

Prediction: Germany, Portugal

What Happened: Germany, USA

Muller being Muller, Germany being Germany and the destruction of Portugal in their first match cemented the Germans atop Group G. And that demolition for Ronaldo and Company was the difference, as they ended up tied on points with the Americans, but down on goal difference. Tsk tsk.

Group H

Prediction: Belgium, South Korea

What Happened: Belgium, Algeria

Belgium was your hipster cousin’s choice, the real ‘dark horse’ of this tournament and they performed well enough – not convincingly though – to make it to the next round. Algeria was a big surprise, but it was always a toss up to see who the other team out of Group H was going to be.

Loyalty is dead? Wake up – it’s been dead for a while.

Its all about the money.

The buzz after former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas signed for Chelsea FC, is that loyalty is dead.  Plot twist: Loyalty in professional sports is dead, and it’s been dead for a while – wake up and smell the rotting corpse everyone.

Luis Figo proved that, when he ditched Barcelona for swanky new digs at Real Madrid, fans reacted furiously, even throwing a pig head at him.

And it’s not just the beautiful game, loyalty is dead across the sporting globe.

In the NBA? There are 18 active players who have played their whole careers with one franchise – seven who were drafted by other teams.

‘The Decision’ Didn’t go over well in Cleveland

Let’s not forget about the most famous ‘Decision’ and Lebron ‘taking his talents to South Beach.’ That got a few people upset, eh?

How about the NHL where free-agency has ruined any sense of loyalty – where captains like Jerome Iginla or Daniel Alfreddson ditch their respective clubs to chase personal glory.

Heck Ilya Kovalchuk shocked the professional hockey world, ditching a $77 million dollar contract in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils for an even bigger contract in the KHL .

In baseball, just 8 active players have played more than 10 years with a single team – topped by New York Yankee Derek Jeter.

Gone are the days of Joe DiMaggio, Dan Marino, Steve Yzerman, Ryan Giggs and the Paolo Maldini’s – Legends who stuck with their teams through thick and thin. Now players chase personal glory, crave their big pay day.

And can you blame pro athletes? I can’t.

It’s a business and everyone is trying to get their payday or grab another trophy, personal glory.

Can you honestly tell me, if a rival company came to you and offered you more money, more guaranteed years that you wouldn’t consider it? That you wouldn’t jump at the chance to make more money?

Some might say no, but most would be out the door without a guilty second.

And that is the hypocrisy of where we place athletes and the false values we impose on them – it’s a business, whether we like it or not, and

Assou-Ekotto: Plays for the money, not the game.

business is about making money.

It’s refreshing to see comments from an athlete like Tottenham Hotspur player Assou-Ekotto, who infamously stated, “I play for the money. Football’s not my passion.”

“All people, everyone, when they go to a job, it’s for the money. So I don’t understand why, when I said I play for the money, people were shocked. Oh, he’s a mercenary. Every player is like that.”

He was lambasted by media, ripped up by fans – but why? Because we hold this idealistic mentality that players should be blindly loyal, play for the ‘love of the game’ and wear their hearts on their sleeves?

Blind loyalty a hopelessly romantic notion, sounds lovely, but it’s just not true anymore in modern sports.

So while Arsenal fans burn Fabregas shirts in the streets and Cleveland fans still reel about ‘The Decision’ – wake up and realize, Loyalty is dead and it’s not coming back.

And as Puff Daddy so eloquently said – it’s all about the Benjamins.

World Cup Group Predictions (Part 2)

We continue our predictions for the Group Stage of the World Cup, if you missed part 1 it’s right here.

Will the French fall apart again? Can Miroslav Klose kick himself to a World Cup record and will the Belgians emerge from Group H?

All this and more in our predictions…

Group E: The French Revolution

France limps into the World Cup and surprise: Find themselves in a group most teams would kill to be in, sure Ecuador and Switzerland are going to be tough tests – with Honduras breaking a few legs – but France should top this group easily, even without Franck Ribery. Even without Samir Nasri – playing brilliantly for City – this is a French team that shouldn’t capitulate a la past performances.

Switzerland will be a tough opponent, always stingy on defence, but I see a young, exciting Ecuador getting out of this group – with the matchup between the two my match to watch in this group. The quick, pacey counter of Ecuador against a hard to break down Switzerland side? Sounds fun.

Only 22 and already at his second World Cup, Xherdan Shaqiri will be looking to breakout and could be the difference between Switzerland limping home or making it to the knockouts.

Must Watch Match: Ecuador v Switzerland

Standout Player: Xherdan Shaqiri

Prediction: 1. France, 2. Switzerland, 3. Ecuador, 4. Honduras

Group F: Lionel Messi and a few Others

Argentina will win this group, with a goal difference of about 20. Seriously though, they’ll stroll through this group like they’re in a field full of daisies, just hoping to not injure anyone as they head to the knockouts.

With first place locked up, it’s a three way battle for second place and I like the odds of Bosnia-Herzegovina making it through to the knockout rounds – at their first World Cup I expect them to overcome the challenge of Nigeria and Iran. There is no doubt that the likes of Edin Dzeko and Asmir Begovic will be difference makers for this side, but I expect Captain Emir Spahic to be a difference maker in defence.

Must Watch Match: Argentina vs themselves

Standout Player: Lionel Messi

Prediction: 1. Argentina, 2. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 3. Nigeria, 4. Iran

Group G: The Klosest group

Without Marco Reus and just one striker, can the Germans prevail in Brazil? Of course they can, but they’ll have to navigate perhaps the toughest group, facing Portugal, USA and a tough to break down Ghanian side.

Miroslav Klose is looking to break records, while Philipp Lahm in defence could be just as important to the team as what Muller, Ozil and the rest can create in midfield, especially against a never-say-die USA side and the stupidly talented Cristiano Ronaldo. I fully expect Germany to top this group, but the battle for second will be the fiercest in the group stage.

Portugal are lead by Ronaldo, but it’s the depth of the team that has many wondering if they have enough to get out of the group, many predictions showing the Portuguese falling out to the Americans lead by Jurgen Klinsmann.

However, I think Portugal will do enough to scrape through, with the USA finishing third – Ghana has only won once in their last five matches, although destroyed South Korea 4 – 0 in their final warm up after being held scoreless in their prior four matches.

Must Watch Match: Portugal v USA

Standout Player: Miroslav Klose

Prediction: 1. Germany, 2. Portugal, 3. USA, 4. Ghana

Group H: The Belgians are coming

Many have labelled Belgium as a Darkhorse in this tournament, with the talent to upset the apple cart and make waves on the international stage – and I say, why not? Front to back this team has talent, Thibaut Courtois in net, Vincent Kompany at the centre of a sturdy defensive corps and Axel Witsel managing the midfield. That’s without mentioning the attacking trio of Eden Hazard, Kevin Mirallas and Romelu Lukaku, who poses a lethal record up front.

This group is an excellent way for Belgium to warm-up, face some sturdy competition and get ready for the knockouts, anything less than topping the group will be a disappointing start to their campaign.

So who joins Belgium in the knockout rounds? South Korea were creamed 4 – 0 by Ghana in their final warm-up, while Fabio Capello’s Russia are undefeated in their last five matches (Albeit against the likes of Morroco, Slovakia and Armenia), so who goes through? I’ll stick with South Korea to sneak through, by the skin of their teeth but for me, it’s a coin-toss between Russia/South Korea to make it to the next round.

Must Watch Match:  Belgium v South Korea

Standout Player: Eden Hazard

Prediction: 1. Belgium, 2. South Korea, 3. Russia, 4. Algeria

– – –

Henry is covering the World Cup all Summer long – previews, recaps and more – daily updates on the beautiful games greatest competition.

You can follow him on twitter at @HenryWhitfield , where he live tweets about sports far too much.

World Cup Group Predictions (Part 1)

Ahhh – it’s finally here!

The World Cup is just days away from kick-off, even if Brazil isn’t ready for it, the World is waiting.

While the issues surrounding the World Cup in Brazil can’t be ignored, we find ourselves far too excited for a competition that only comes around every four years – the greatest sporting event in the World.

With our favourite to win Brazil – we’d look like idiots if we said England, right? – we give you Part One of our World Cup Predictions

 

Group A: Brazil’s to lose

Perhaps the easiest group to predict, as it is clearly Brazil’s group and dare I say, World Cup, to lose. Their opening day match will be the hosts toughest, with a resilient and talented Croatia team, but as long as Neymar et al can handle the expectations, they should stroll through this group.

Now, who finishes second? It should be a battle between Mexico and Croatia, with the final group match between the two the decider. The talent in Croatia is undeniable with Rakitic, Modric, Jelevic and Bayern striker Mandzukic in their lineup – I give the edge to the Europeans to overcome Mexico and move on.

The big question for many is how will Brazil cope with the pressure? I guess only time will tell…

Must Watch Match: Brazil v Croatia

Standout Player: Fred

Predictions:  1. Brazil, 2. Croatia, 3. Mexico, 4. Cameroon

Group B: A Chilean Surprise

One of the tastiest match ups of the tournament will be Spain v Netherlands, where  no love is list between these two foes. Who wins this matchup should decide who finishes first, with second not guaranteed to fall the losers way.

I like Chile as a dark horse in this tournament, while riddled with injuries, the form of Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez could be what slips the South Americans into the next round. I like the chances of Chile beating Australia and sneaking a point against Spain, putting pressure on the Dutch to get a result in the final group match – where I favour the Chileans.

Oh and the Australians are there, for a nice vacation – don’t expect them to win a game, but they’ll play a physical game, reminding everyone that they’re actually there.

Must Watch Match: Netherlands v Spain

Standout Player: Arturo Vidal

Predictions:  1. Spain, 2. Chile, 3. Netherlands, 4. Australia

Group C: The rise of the Elephants

This is a tough group to predict with all four teams holding a realistic chance of moving onto the next round. For me, the Ivory Coast win this group by a hair, using the guile and talent of Yaya Toure, Wilfred Bony and Didier Drogba to reach the knockout phase.

As far as second place goes, Colombia is down Falcao and Greece pose more of a threat than they have in recent years. The Greeks have a defensive mentality that Jose Mourinho would be proud of, sneaking a goal and frustrating opposing strikers.

Lastly, with all due respect to Keisuke Honda – I just don’t see a way out of the group for Japan. Then again, with a group this close, they could top it off if they scrape out the results.

Must Watch Match: Japan v Colombia

Standout Player: Wilfred Bony

Predictions: 1. Ivory Coast, 2. Colombia, 3. Greece, 4. Japan

Group D: My biased prediction

We start this group off with a disclaimer: I am a full-fledged, red-blooded, patriotic England supporter.

Now that is out of the way, how does Group D shake out? Italy has the most talented side in this group, no arguing that, even without Guiseppe Rossi the team possesses talent up front in Ciro Immobile and Mario Balotelli, combined with the ageless Pirlo – this is a scary good Italian side. As pointed out by a friend, they’ve even got experience in Brazil after last Summer’s Confederations Cup, where they narrowly lost to Spain on penalties in the semifinal before beating Uruguay on penalties for third.

Then there is Uruguay, led by Luis Suarez (Assuming he’s healthy..) who seems to thrive amid controversy and against the odds, how he performs will be crucial to his teams success. Their weakness is in defence, where teams with pace will be able to take advantage, meaning Suarez and company will need to score early and often.

That brings us to England. No expectations and a team that Roy Hodgson has tried to play down from day one. But as we close in on their opening match, it’s tough not to expect something from a team that boasts Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Jack Wilshere, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the Captain himself, Steven Gerrard.

Much like Uruguay, their weakness is in defence with unreliable Glen Johnson at right-back and Phil Jagielka unproven at international level – but the talent could surprise some in Brazil, sneaking past Uruguay and Costa Rica and moving on.

I’ve got a much more indepth Group D preview coming your way, don’t worry.

Must Watch Match: Italy v Uruguay

Standout Player: Luis Suarez

Prediction: 1. England, 2. Italy, 3. Uruguay, 4. Costa Rica

Don’t forget to check out PART 2 of our Group predictions, with the likes of Ronaldo, Messi and darkhorse Belgium still to come.

– – –

Henry is covering the World Cup all Summer long – previews, recaps and more – daily updates on the beautiful games greatest competition.

You can follow him on twitter at @HenryWhitfield , where he live tweets about sports far too much.