World Cup 2014 (Predictions)

[BKH70041]

I'm going to go ahead, stick my neck out, and make my predictions for the WC. Picked a few upsets to make it fun, but overall I feel pretty good about them.

I encourage others to do the same, and then sometime around mid-July we can all look back and laugh at how much we embarrassed ourselves.

I'll start off with group play.

Group: Winner - Runner-up

A: Brazil – Croatia
B: Spain – Holland
C: Colombia – Japan
D: Italy - Uruguay
E: Swiss – France
F: Argentina – Bosnia/Herzegovina
G: Germany – Portugal
H: Belgium – Algeria

Final 8: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Swiss, Uruguay

Final 4: Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain

Final Game: Argentina vs. Germany

Winner: Germany

I'll say 3:2 in the final.

The final pick was a tough one for me. Argentina has SO MANY attacking players.

Messi, Aguero, Higuain, Mascherano, di Maria, Lavezzi, Palacio......... Where does it end???

But I just think Germany has the better team top to bottom.

Schweinsteiger is just dominant in the middle. And then with Ozil, Muller, Klose, Kroos and others attacking, a solid defense with Mertesacker, Lahm who will work his way from the back into the attack, and Neuer in net, they just seem to have what it takes this year.

Let the games begin!

[truebrit71]

1. Key-rist...an Argie v Kraut finale?? I'd have to root for the ref....

Last edited Mon Jun 9, 2014, 02:47 PM - Edit history (1)

My only predictions are that the US and England don't make it out of the first round...after that it'll be between some South American squad with both tons of flair and excellent foot skills, and a European Diving Squad....

[Capt. Obvious]

3. 538 predicts England making it out

and US not, though not by much

http://fivethirtyeight.com/interactives/world-cup/

[truebrit71]

5. No way Uruguay wins that group...

...no way in hell...Italy will destroy Costa Rica and England, and they will probably beat Uruguay, unless that game is meaningless..

There are some other really dodgy predictions in there as well...

Methinks Nate should stick to predicting US politics..

[Aquavit]

20. Any idea who the ref will be for the final?

I hope Howard Webb isn't calling the final again this time.

Brazil/Germany is my prediction for the final. The way things are shaping up, I think the last four will be Netherlands, Germany, Brazil, and France (mind you I've not actually looked at the schedule to see if this scenario is even a possibility).

[Ron Obvious]

21. It'll depend on who's in it

Referees from the final four (I think) nations will be excluded.

[truebrit71]

33. Looks like I'm rooting for the ref...

[BKH70041]

34. Yes, you will.

And good luck with that.

[jakeXT]

2. I think it's time for Germany to leave early like they did in 1998 or 1978

Croatia stuns Germany 3-0, using one-man advantage.

LYON, France (Saturday, July 4, 1998) -- In perhaps the greatest World Cup upset in nearly 50 years, first-timer Croatia shocked three-time world champion Germany 3-0 tonight to advance to the semifinals of France ’98.

http://www.soccertimes.com/worldcup/1998/games/jul04a.htm

[Ron Obvious]

7. You forgot 1994

When they went out to Bulgaria (Lechkov header) who had never won a WC game prior to that tournament.

[jakeXT]

9. He played in Germany for HSV at the time, it seems he has been sentenced to 2 years in prison

The past decade has seen Yordan Letchkov turn his life to local politics, with the ex-footballer repeatedly winning the race to be the mayor of his local town Sliven. That post however has become Letchkov’s downfall, after a court found him guilty of tax irregularities connected to a dodgy municipal water and sewerage deal which lost to city a shedload of funds.

Letchkov is expected to appeal his prison sentence, and we wait to see if the Bulgarian legend will manage to avoid going behind bars.

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/bulgarian-legend-yordan-letchkov-is-sent-to-prison-for-abuse-of-power-as-slivens-mayor/

[Ron Obvious]

12. And now we know... the rest of the story.

Thanks for that. I didn't know what had happened to him. I do fondly remember him and that Bulgarian squad, though. Many of them looked about 50 years old or so , including Letchkov, but he was only like 26. I remember being stunned at finding that out.

[Capt. Obvious]

4. I'd settle for this again

[Ron Obvious]

6. My predictions

Group A
1. Brazil (obviously)
2. Croatia

This is a fairly poor Mexico side that only qualified by the skin of their teeth. Apparently they'll have more fans there than any team except for Brazil. I don't think it's enough.

Group B
1. Chile
2. Spain

The Spanish players are really tired and this is an exceptionally poor Holland squad with poor defence. Chile gets the South American advantage.

Group C
1. Colombia
2. Ivory Coast

Last chance for Ivory Coast's golden generation. Fortunately for them they're in a weak group. Greece can't score. Japan are a potential dark horse, though. They just might make it out of this group after all.

Group D
1. England
2. Uruguay

Suarez might be out, but Uruguay still gets near home advantage even if they're not as good as 4 years ago. Italy are slow starters typically, and it may cost them this time. Costa Rica are no-hopers here.

Group E.
1. France
2. Switzerland

Honduras are not very good and Ecuador are only good at altitude

Group F.
1. Argentina
2. Bosnia

Argentina are potential WC winners and Bosnia are the hipsters' choice but we shouldn't hold that against them. Not impressed with this Nigeria side, though they have a lot of recognisable names in the team.

Group G.
1. Germany
2. Portugal

Sorry USA, Germany are another title contender and I fear Portugal are also too much. In fact, I'd rate Ghana slightly higher than this US side which has regressed a bit. Dempsey moving to MLS was a bad move.

Group H.
1. Belgium
2. Russia

Everyone expects great things from Belgium but I'm far from convinced. Russia are a decent side but only have all their players playing at home which is not helpful in international tournaments. Algeria and South Korea are not good enough.

Round of 16
Brazil def. Spain
Chile def. Croatia
Colombia def. Uruguay
England over Ivory Coast
France defeats Bosnia
Argentina knocks out Switzerland
Germany beats Russia
Portugal beats Belgium

I'm think Argentina, Germany and Brazil are the obvious favourites. England out in the quarter final on penalties again. Holland, Spain and Italy will be the disappointments. Japan are outsiders for a quarter final spot.

Looking forward to Thursday night. I hope to get my TV fixed by then so I don't have to watch it on a crappy laptop screen.

[BKH70041]

23. You got 9 of 16.

That's pretty good.

[BKH70041]

29. Wow! You got 5 of 8. Very Good!

Best I can tell you picked Argentina, Germany, Brazil, and England as your final four, and you didn't really name a set of final cup teams or the winner.

[Bosonic]

8. Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future.

Group Winners

Group A : Brazil - Mexico
Group B : Netherlands - Spain
Group C : Columbia - Greece
Group D : England - Italy
Group E : France - Ecuador
Group F : Argentina - Nigeria
Group G : Germany - USA
Group H : Russia - S.Korea

Last 16

Brazil VS Spain ===> Brazil
Columbia VS Italy ===> Italy
France VS Nigeria ===> Nigeria
Germany VS S.Korea ===> Germany
Netherlands VS Mexico ===> Mexico
England VS Greece ===> England
Argentina VS Ecuador ===> Argentina
Russia VS USA ===> USA

Quartefinals

Brazil VS Italy ===> Brazil
Nigeria VS Germany ===> Germany
Mexico VS England ===> England
Argentina VS USA ===> Argentina

Semifinals

Brazil VS Germany ===> Germany
Argentina VS England ===> England

Final

Germany VS England ===> England

(3rd place : Brazil VS Argentina ===> Brazil)

[jakeXT]

10. And England wins in a penalty shoot-out ? /nt

[Bosonic]

11. It's already improbable enough, thankyou.

[darkangel218]

18. I LIKE your predictions!!!

[BKH70041]

24. You got 10 of 16.

Same as me. Hooray for us!

[Bosonic]

26. Some small consolation after England's performance.

Oh well, Germany's now my new tip for the champions, although I think Algeria will grind them into extra time, possibly penalties in their upcoming fixture, before succumbing.

[BKH70041]

27. You got 3 of 8

Same as I did. Not too bad.

You're still in the running to get 3 of 4.

[Aquavit]

14. I like it!

I think France will get into the last four, but otherwise I'd not be surprised if you've nailed it.

Especially like how your final turns out

[T_i_B]

15. Mystic T_i_B predicts Argentina to win....

...Messi to finally do the business in the knock out stages of a world cup.

And by sheer co-incidence, look who my favourite unfashionable northern rugby union club has as their special guest for the world cup final!

http://www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk/news/1376/watch-the-fifa-world-cup-final-with-ossie-ardiles-at-the-titans!/

[BKH70041]

16. Thanks all who have participated.

It's all in fun.

[shenmue]

17. My prediction: I will have some beer

But not now, it's warm.

[mackerel]

19. I'd for once like to see a North American team make it to final 8.

Obviously Mexico is our best bet. Keeping my fingers crossed for Mexico!

[BKH70041]

22. I got 10 of 16 correct.

Though not necessarily in the correct order. Still that's pretty good.

The only really weak teams I see left are Algeria, Greece, and Nigeria. The others, while there are only maybe 5 teams who could go all the way, do provide some exciting football to watch. I look forward to the knockout games.

[Ron Obvious]

25. Anything better than chance is brilliant in this sport

Mexico and Costa Rica completely surprised me. I didn't expect Spain to win the whole thing, but I sure didn't expect a complete collapse either. Belgium were even more of a letdown than I expected, despite their 3 wins in an easy group. Ah, England....

Biggest mystery of all: who the hell would hire Capello (the highest-paid manager no less) as national team manager with his 1 win in 7 record of dreary football?

I didn't expect that much from Colombia after the Falcao injury but they're looking great.

[BKH70041]

28. I got 3 of 8.

Pretty good.

[mackerel]

30. I have mixed emotions about Colombia, born there and all but

crazed fans have actually been known to kill the players when they lose a game. One guy shot a player in the airport as
they were arriving home. It's hard to identify with that kind of passion. I think Holland will fair well.

[Ron Obvious]

31. Well, I've got to hand it to you...

You picked it! Germany - Argentina for the final.

I don't see how it's going to be 3-2 (a repeat of '86?) though, but as sure as hell hope it won't be repeat of the '90 final.

Germany 3-0 in regulation time. I both predict that and hope that's how it will turn out.

[BKH70041]

32. Thanks!

Sometimes you just accept the luck that comes your way.

As for my final score guess, maybe we'll get lucky and the finalist will put on a show for us.

[Aquavit]

35. I'm all for repeats....

In fact, I hope Germany repeat their performance against Brazil tomorrow!

Honestly I don't care what the final is, just so long as nobody beats Manuel Neuer and at least one person beats Sergio Romo!

[BKH70041]

36. Congratulations to Germany!!

Great tournament!

And thanks to everyone in this forum who participated in the discussion and comments. This forum is where the true football fans are. The posters in GD who talked about the WC are a bunch of posers. They aren't the true fans.

League play starts in another month. Looking forward to discussing it here with the true fans.

[Ron Obvious]

37. The best team won in the end

I think that by your standards I'm both a true football fan and a poser, so I'll have to think about how I'm going to resolve that contradiction.

Bring on the new season. Sanchez signed for Arsenal which makes me a happy Gooner.

[BKH70041]

38. You are a true fan.

The posers are those in GD (and even in this forum) who showed up for only USA games and/or the final games.

[Matilda]

39. Angela Merkel Supports Her Team

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

No comment really needed!

[jakeXT]

40. .

Last edited Mon Jul 14, 2014, 10:25 AM - Edit history (1)