Who's going to win the World Cup?

[Valerie]

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.

You and me both. I'm rooting for Belgium!BTW Holland doesn't survive the group stage in my office pool predictions.

 

[CFCholland]

You and me both. I'm rooting for Belgium!

BTW Holland doesn't survive the group stage in my office pool predictions.

I wouldnt give a damn if they don't.

Im looking forward to watching belgium play as well. Dont think they have any chance of winning it but their team is fun.

 

[Wolv]

Argentina, why because

1. Messi

2. Sergio aguero

3. Di Maria

4. Higuain

5. Lavezzi

Solid players

 

[Celery1989]

This looks to be one of the most open World Cup's in recent memory. There doesn't really appear to be clear a favourite; If you analyze the squads of the top 8 or so nations, all of them have a glaring flaw. I guess Brazil might just have an edge being the home nation. I'm sure they'll be in the semi's with the likes of Spain and Germany.

For what it's worth, I don't think England will get out of the group.

 

[Zeta]

Switzerland

 

[Arq]

The closer the WC gets, the more I have this feeling Germany may go out earlier than expected (and that expectation seems to be Final or bust).

Our back four is unset. Our injuries have piled up. Loew is most likely going to go with the false 9. We have just one striker on the squad, an aging Klose. Loew confirmed that he sticks with the 4-2-3-1 and refuses to go to a different formation if need be. Ack! It just screams of failure. Talent, we have it. We have boatloads of it. However, we are unbalanced, have less synergy right now, and it may come back to bite us.

If Joachim does fail to deliver, I believe he will be out. Klopp seems to be us fans' favourite if he is ousted. I can certainly live with that.

Player to watch: Reus. This could be his breakout tournament.

 

[Arq]

Player to watch: Reus. This could be his breakout tournament.

Yeah... Well... Looks like I can add him to the injured list.

 

[Zola]

D'oh !!

 

[Bobbywoodhogan]

Brazil for me, outside of England this is who I want to win aswell.

People keep talking about Argentina at my work, but they've been disappointing for years

 

[mactheknife]

The closer the WC gets, the more I have this feeling Germany may go out earlier than expected (and that expectation seems to be Final or bust).

Our back four is unset. Our injuries have piled up. Loew is most likely going to go with the false 9. We have just one striker on the squad, an aging Klose. Loew confirmed that he sticks with the 4-2-3-1 and refuses to go to a different formation if need be. Ack! It just screams of failure. Talent, we have it. We have boatloads of it. However, we are unbalanced, have less synergy right now, and it may come back to bite us.

If Joachim does fail to deliver, I believe he will be out. Klopp seems to be us fans' favourite if he is ousted. I can certainly live with that.

Player to watch: Reus. This could be his breakout tournament.

Loew should go. He seems to hold you back. I think he really showed his ineptness in that Italy semi final. I would very surprised if Germany won the tournament and would have as down as the fifth or sixth favourite

 

[Arq]

Loew should go. He seems to hold you back. I think he really showed his ineptness in that Italy semi final. I would very surprised if Germany won the tournament and would have as down as the fifth or sixth favourite

I agree with you with respect to Loew holding us back. The unfortunate situation for him is that the expectations from the DFB are still sky high even with the injuries. If we do not make the semis, at least, my feeling is that he will be out. The extension was just so that it would not be a talking point during the WC.

We shall see.

 

[Tibbers]

My Round of 16 Picks 

Brazil

Spain

Both teams are favourites but judging the squad's quality and depth, Spain would win it.  the hot weather and grass favour the hosts, no doubt about that.

Colombia

Italy

The Italians have a really tough test with Colombia, but ultimately advance 1-0 in a goal by Mario Balotelli in Extra Time.

France

Bosnia-Herzegovina

France to fully throttle Bosnia.

Germany

Russia

The Germans will trash Russia with probably with 3-nil goals.

Chile

Mexico

An exciting match but will give my trust to Chile because they just can.

Uruguay

Japan

Suarez leading his team with a double.

Argentina

Switzerland

The Swiss' defence could challenge Argentina. Nil deadlock on the first and a late winner goal from Aguero. (sorry Messi fans)

Belgium

Portugal

Seeing Belgium to progress into the quarterfinals with Ronaldo's full fitness still in doubt.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Quarterfinals

 
Brazil
Italy
 
Germany
France
 
Chile
Uruguay
 
Argentina
Portugal
 
________________________________________________________________________________
 
Semis
 
Brazil
Germany
 
Argentina
Chile
 
_______________________________
 
FINALS
 
Germany
Argentina
 
Going for a South American team winning to WIN    

 

[Zola]

Police have confirmed that Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari's nephew has been killed in a car crash. Terrible

 

[Mike Carefree]

HOLLAND in a penalty shoot out

 

[Krc-fan]

Germany.

 

[andy]

I think Germany might do this. I fancy Schurrle to have a cracker.

Germans look strong and balanced as a squad and of course have previous, and expereince now.

The Schurrle thing is just a gut thing I dont know why, maybe becuase he has not really had a full season and see bags of potential in him;  just the type of player that shines through on these occasions

This obviously means that I am the cleverest person ever and incredibly handsome too, and you are all fools.

 

[Krc-fan]

I think Germany might do this too, Andy.

 

[Krc-fan]

What?

Is it monday, today?

 

[Boyne]

Statistics about passes from the World Cup.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/players/passes.html

Four Germans in the top five.