World Cup 2010 - Group G

Ivory Coast

Portugal

Brazil

DPR Korea

Group Strength
A tantalising battle between three teams, Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal, who love to exhibit the beautiful game. Any one of these teams will believe they can leave their mark on this competition. Brazil are perennial favourites while Ivory Coast are Africa’s best chance of success on home soil. Portugal, despite their recent problems, can also be viewed as a threat so long as Ronaldo is fit. North Korea pulled off a huge shock in 1966 when they beat Italy. Even gaining a single point from this group will be viewed as an even bigger shock.

Group Favourites
Brazil are probably considered the favourites based on history and experience at this level but there are no clear favourites to finish top of Group G. With players like Lucio, Julio Cesar, Kaka and Robinho, Brazil are understandably seen as the strongest team and for that fact alone they will be viewed as favourites. Recent form generally does not mean much coming into a World Cup tournament and neither Brazil nor Portugal have much form as of late, however, the Ivory Coast do not have enough class and experience to take advantage if the opportunity arises.

Battle for Second
The opening round of games could decide who qualifies alongside Brazil for the round of 16. Portugal face Ivory Coast on June 15th. This should make for an explosive start to the group but could possibly leave the final round of games as a damp squib. The winner of this game will accompany Brazil through to the second round. Didier Drogba, Yaya & Kolo Toure will be the leading Ivory Coast stars while Portugal will be calling on Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco and Pepe to get them through. A very tough match to call but I will trump for Portugal, despite the recent 0-0 draw against Cape Verde Islands, to qualify.

The Outsiders
North Korea are the underdogs in this group full of pedigree and star players. They could not have asked for a more difficult first game to kick-start their finals campaign than facing five time world champions Brazil, and things will only continue in a terrible vein from there. The threat that is probably coming from Kim Jong Il towards the team will make no difference as it is very possible that North Korea will finish bottom with no goals scored and a record number of goals conceded. Nobody will enjoy seeing that happen, and no doubt the people of North Korea won’t even know.

Going Forward
The runners-up for this group will face the winner of Group H, very likely to be Spain. If that is Portugal or Ivory Coast then it essentially means that they will have to face the number one and number two ranked nations in FIFA's current world ranking before a potential clash with Italy in the ¼ finals. Not necessarily the easiest of routes to World Cup glory. The group winner, however, will have a relatively straightforward second round match against Chile, Switzerland or Honduras before a potential ¼ final meeting with the Netherlands. No matter what, if a team from Group G goes on to win the tournament, which is a very real possibility, they will have done it the hardest way possible.






Fixtures
Ivory Coast – Portugal, June 15th, (15.00)
Brazil – North Korea, June 15th, (19.30)
Brazil – Ivory Coast, June 20th, (19.30)
Portugal – North Korea, June 21st, (12.30)
Portugal – Brazil, June 25th, (15.00)
North Korea – Ivory Coast, June 25th, (15.00)

Prediction
1st – Brazil
2nd – Portugal
3rd – Ivory Coast
4th – DPR Korea

World Cup 2010 - Group F

Italy

Paraguay

New Zealand

Slovakia


Group Strength
Spain, Holland, Brazil, Germany, all these teams face somewhat tricky routes out of their group. Group F, however, contains no such problems for Italy. While the group contains the holders, neither New Zealand nor Slovakia hold any real weight on the international scene. This is only the All Whites' second World Cup, while 2010 is Slovakia's debut. Paraguay have previous experience at the World Cup, but have never progressed beyond the last 16. Don't expect anyone but Italy to reach beyond the round of 16 from this group.

Group Favourites
Without doubt Italy are considered favourites to top this group. While they did not perform to their best during qualification, the holders will have enough to see off their immediate opposition. Marcello Lippi has picked a strong squad for the tournament, surprisingly leaving out Giuseppe Rossi, and will look to be going all the way. Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Di Natale, and Gianluigi Buffon will be Italy’s leaders through Group F and it will be hoped that one or two more players can step up to the mark. They should have no problem qualifying for the round of 16 and with Cameroon their likely opponents there, should make at least the ¼ finals.

Battle for Second
Having picked up wins against both Argentina and Brazil during the South American qualification phase, Paraguay showed that they will be no pushovers on the big stage. They conceded less than a goal a game during qualifying, while the likes of Man City’s Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas will be leading the line which should mean scoring a few goals against New Zealand and Slovakia. Like Italy, the Paraguayan mentality is more inclined towards defence than attack and they should have enough going forward to secure second place in the group.

The Outsiders
It's a toss up between New Zealand and Slovakia to see who will finish bottom of the group. New Zealand's only previous appearance in the World Cup finals came in 1982, when they lost all three matches. Slovakia have the stellar Marek Hamsik in their ranks and came through a far more difficult qualifying campaign than the All Whites, but their lack of experience at the very top level may hinder them a little. The likes of Ryan Nelson and Rory Fallon, who are plying their trade in English football, should mean New Zealand pick up their first ever world cup point against Slovakia. That alone will make this a world cup to remember for the All Whites.

Going Forward
Italy and Cameroon should face off in the last 16 and the Azzurri should get through that with no problems. Paraguay, the most likely runners up in Group F, should meet the Netherlands and will go no further. Group F will not make a mark on the 2010 World Cup and seeing the weakness of this group should make Irish fans even more annoyed that we are not involved.

Fixtures
Italy – Paraguay, June 14th, (19.30)
New Zealand – Slovakia, June 15th, (12.30)
Slovakia – Paraguay, June 20th, (12.30)
Italy – New Zealand, June 20th, (15.00)
Slovakia – Italy, June 24th, (15.00)
Paraguay – New Zealand, June 24th, (15.00)

Prediction
1st – Italy
2nd – Paraguay
3rd – Slovakia
4th - New Zealand

World Cup 2010 - Group E

Netherlands

Denmark

Japan

Cameroon

Group Strength
The only heavyweights in this group are the Netherlands and among the four teams only they can realistically aspire to get beyond the last 16 stage of the competition. The rest of the teams look good but they wouldn't be able to challenge for a quarter-final berth. Yet the games between these teams should be interesting as they are all around the same level. A surprise or two could even be sprung along the way.

Group Favourites
The Netherlands are easily the favourites to win this group. They were in great form in the qualifiers and won all their eight matches. Bert van Marwijk's side have exceptional attacking players such as Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben and although they are vulnerable at the back, the Oranje should comfortably win the three games in the group. Sneijder and Robben should be in great form following their exploits in Europe with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich respectively. If the Oranje are going to go far in South Africa these two will have to be accommodated to fulfil their strengths.

Battle for Second
The battle for the runners-up spot will be interesting as Japan, Cameroon and Denmark will all count themselves as second favourites in the group. Cameroon would especially believe in themselves given that they are an African side and would be buoyed by a 'home' support. Moreover, they have players such as Samuel Eto'o, Carlos Kameni and Stephane M'bia and if each of these, particularly Eto’o, performs to their potential then they should reach the round of 16.

The Outsiders
Japan should find themselves struggling in the group and along with Denmark will be looking to avoid finishing bottom of the group. The former World Cup quarter-finalists are one of the strongest teams in Asia but struggle against physical and technically superior sides. Cameroon can be physically intimidating and the Dutch are far superior to them in every aspect. Denmark should be able to hold off the challenge of Japan as they are more experienced at this stage of world football. The final group game between the two sides should decide who props up the group and while neither team will want that indignity I would expect Denmark’s superiority to show through.

Going Forward
Group favourites Holland will face Paraguay or Slovakia, while Cameroon should meet Italy in the last 16 stage if they qualify. Holland will fancy themselves to go far in this tournament and will believe this could finally be the year they break their World Cup hoodoo. Cameroon, however, will more than likely see their journey end at the hands of the defending champions.

Fixtures
Netherlands – Denmark, June 14th, (12.30)
Japan – Cameroon, June 14th, (15.00)
Netherlands – Japan, June 19th, (12.30)
Cameroon – Denmark, June 19th, (19.30)
Denmark – Japan, June 24th, (19.30)
Cameroon – Netherlands, June 24th, (19.30)

Prediction
1st – Netherlands
2nd – Cameroon
3rd – Denmark
4th - Japan