In my time I've seen teams with crap defences win it (Brazil in 94), crap strikers (France in 98), but every time the team with the best player gets to the final. 86 Maradona, 90 Mattheus, 94 Baggio, 98 Zidane, 02 Ronaldo, 06 Cannavaro.

If Gerrard, Terry or Lampard can step up I believe England can win it, or at least get to the final , and then it's anyone's game!

I don't think any other English player other than Gerrard, Terry or Lampard can be the best player in the WC next year, that includes Rooney (overated). Could Owen be a dark horse?

I think...Spain will play Cameroon in the final.

Spain to win.

I'm gonna wait until closer to the finals to make my definitive prediction, but I do think Chile and perhaps Slovenia will surprise people.

Edited December 24, 200916 yr by PloKoon13

I am going for Spain to win their first world cup in South Africa next year. For me they have got the most complete team at the moment in international football, in that they have got skill, technique, goals, style and so on. I would love to see England win it but for me they just do not have the same quality as the Spanish do.

I dont agree with some of your best WC players, in 94 Hagi was by far the best player in the tournament. Zidane was the best player in 2006, not 98. Ronaldo(Bra) was the best player in 98, not 2002, that was Hakan Sukur.

I'm gonna wait until closer to the finals to make my definitive prediction, but I do think Chile and perhaps Slovenia will surprise people.

That's true, I was surprised to read they even qualified.

I can tell you which team won't win it: the Dutch. We will survive the group stage, but after that, when that insane Orange Mania has the country in its grip, we will summarily be outplayed by Outer Mongolia or some such country.

Edited December 25, 200916 yr by Valerie

I don't know how any team other than Australia will win this one.

I don't know how any team other than Australia will win this one.

That reminds me, I need to speak to Loz about opening up a comedy section on the forum, for jokers like you.

Serbia :P

I dont agree with some of your best WC players, in 94 Hagi was by far the best player in the tournament.

Oh, I don't know...Stoichkov had a pretty good tournament. :P

Russia would have won it obviously :wub: But thanks to the away-goal rule we are going to enjoy SLOVENIA at the World Cup now.

I think Ivory Coast are the dark horses...it'd be great if they nick it.

Spain to win it but the Serbians to make it to the 3rd 4th place playoff

England or Spain to win it, it will be them two nation in the final for sure.

I'll say Italy over Spain...

I know its the obvious choice but i cant see past spain.

I will be putting a sneaky little bet on Ivory Coast thats for sure.

I'm pretty sure it will be either Italy or Spain, or even Brazil. I just can't see England doing it

spain are my bet but i could see brazil or italy being close but i hope not

you can never write off new zealandia

In my time I've seen teams with crap defences win it (Brazil in 94), crap strikers (France in 98), but every time the team with the best player gets to the final. 86 Maradona, 90 Mattheus, 94 Baggio, 98 Zidane, 02 Ronaldo, 06 Cannavaro.

If Gerrard, Terry or Lampard can step up I believe England can win it, or at least get to the final , and then it's anyone's game!

I don't think any other English player other than Gerrard, Terry or Lampard can be the best player in the WC next year, that includes Rooney (overated). Could Owen be a dark horse?

I think...Spain will play Cameroon in the final.

Spain to win.

Rooney overated, come on as much as i dont like Man u you have to say he is quality

you can never write off new zealandia

Smeltzy to be world cup golden boot and best player????

I'm going with Germany to win it all. They usually seem to step it up for the International competitions. Spain and Brazil will be dangerous, no doubt. I'm not so sure about England. I believe they will do well but they seem to have injuries piling up.

I also believe the Dutch will do well. Just something tingling in my spine that tells me this could be a good competition for them.

And I'm hoping for a good showing by the USA team. At least make it to the knockout rounds (where they will probably face Germany since England will top Group C and I'm expecting Germany to top Group D ).

I just hope it isn't Brazil. I been supporting England as long as I've supported Chelsea, but I have to admit that Terry losing the captain's arm band has changed my opinion a little.

If I was a bookie I would offer these odds.

Brazil - 5/2

Spain - 4/1

Germany - 6/1

Argentina - 7/1

England - 7/1

France - 8/1

Holland - 10/1

Ivory Coast - 16/1

No respect for Azzurri or Les Bleus, recent champs...

Edited March 12, 201016 yr by ThunderDan