Who's going to win the World Cup?

[dkw]

Awww c'mon...Australia has the perfect combination of old mediocre players, middle of the road mediocre players and a sprinkling of young mediocre players too.

The balance is very nice.

I take it back, that's the perfect mix of mediocrity. I now make the kangaroo chasers favourites to win it.

 

[PloKoon13]

Germany are having some pretty serious injury troubles: Lars Bender has been ruled out of the World Cup, adding to the absentee list of Sven Bender, Gomez and Gundogan. Klose and Khedira (who has played about 2 hours of football since November) are yet to train, and Lahm and Neuer haven't arrived at the training base yet due to receiving treatment for knocks.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27536543

 

[AcesHigh]

I can see Brazil choking when they face a true true test ie against Germany, Argentina or Spain.

Brazil has a very good track record against Germany in World Cups. It´s usually Germany that chokes when facing Brazil. Of course track record doesn´t mean anything, but still...

As for Spain... Brazil 3 - 0 Spain in the Confeds Cup.

And Argentina has a very bad defense.

They won last match against Brazil (it was in 2012), but then, Brazil was still underperforming with Mano Menezes as a coach plus it had to use VERY inexperienced defenders. Final result was Argentina 4 - 3 Brazil.

Considering that Messi was in better form and scored 3 of the goals, and that the brazilian defense was much worse and inexperienced in that match (Rafael Silva and Bruno Uvini, both Thiago Silva and David Luiz were injured), we can expect Messi in not such a good form would have much more difficulty playing against the much improved Brazilian defense with Thiago Silva and David Luiz (plus Brazil playing much better under Felipão).

All the while, Argentina will have more difficulties scoring against Brazil, but Argentina´s defense has not improved since that match in which Brazil scored 3 goals.

 

[CFCCAN]

Although as laughable as it may sound....England just might be the dark horses if they can defend well. Really there has not been any real power houses around lately and even Spain are not that good this time around.... :EnGLAndFlag:   :128:

 

[mactheknife]

Although as laughable as it may sound....England just might be the dark horses if they can defend well. Really there has not been any real power houses around lately and even Spain are not that good this time around.... :EnGLAndFlag: :128:

It's not inconceivable. Greece's Euro 2004 win and our Champions League win were less likely. I think if England make it out of the group they have a chance to get to the last 8 due to the potential draw.

But Hodgson will play the wrong team against one of the elite sides. A midfield of Gerrard-Wilshire will provide no defensive work rate or defensive awareness and that's what will cost us.

 

[AcesHigh]

always be careful with Italy. NOBODY is betting on them.

There are two combinations needed for Italy to be champions:

1 - they must enter the World Cup without anyone believing in their chances

2 - they need to qualify with extreme difficulty at the GROUP STAGES.

if 1 and 2 are true, than Italy become champions.

 

[SydneyChelsea]

always be careful with Italy. NOBODY is betting on them.

They could do pretty well in the knockout rounds but there's a distinct softness about this team both in attack and defense. With a better coach than Prandelli I could see them doing really well in the next Euros but this WC might be a bit too soon.

Given this WC is so tight and will probably favour individuals over team tactics, I'm going to put down Portugal with Ronaldo putting in a Maradona-esque performance.

 

[dkw]

Right, got £5 on England at 100/1, £2.50 on Argentina at 5/1 and £2.50 on germany at 6/1. So Brazil will win.

 

[jack_super_class]

I'm the only one who has gone for Colombia bit surprised. Even without Falcao there strike force is strong, 2nd in qualifying with the least goals conceded and its in Brazil. Think it will be harder for a European team to win in Brazil.

 

[Mamizcar]

Germany.

 

[dkw]

Luxembourg.

Edit

Not Luxembourg anymore.

 

[PloKoon13]

Apparently Draxler and Howedes were in a car accident but are apparently not hurt and have returned to training:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27598728

 

[mactheknife]

Reading a piece about Kalou on BBC sport reminds me how much I want Ivory Coast to do well. Finally not in a ridiculous group, they have a chance to make the last 16.

Yaya would definitely deserve some recognition and some cake if Ivory Coast made it to the semis.

 

[erskblue]

Well I've got Brazil, Australian and Iran in the family World Cup Competition.

So I'll go for one from  these three...

Mind you Scots of 'a certain vintage' still shudder at the mention of 'Iran and World Cup' in the same sentence !

 

[Tibbers]

Going for Argentina and Germany but I am rooting for Belgium and I just don't know why. 

 

[Mike Carefree]

Although it could go to a handfull of teams, Argentina seem to pop into my mind as winning it lately.....

 

[dan_cfc]

Can't see the Argies winning have a crap defence and weak midfield.

 

[PloKoon13]

Anyone wanna make any guesses about starting XIs?

 

[erskblue]

I'll check Irans...

Okay, so I have them our World Cup sweep.

 

[CFCholland]

Well, van Gaal decided to leave van aanholt at home. Now the dutch national team will have Blind playing left back. 

Didn't give them much of a chance anyways. Unlike most people I pretty much dislike my national team.