Matt's World Cup Group Stage Prediction

Group A


9 - France

4 - Mexico

3 - Uruguay

1 - South Africa

Results

South Africa/Mexico: 1-1
Uruguay/France: 1-2
South Africa/Uruguay: 0-1
France/Mexico: 3-1
Mexico/Uruguay: 1-0
France/South Africa: 2-0

Comments: Mexico/France game is HUGE!

Group B


9 - Argentina

6 - Nigeria

3 - South Korea

0 - Greece

Results

Argentina/Nigeria: 3-1

South Korea/Greece: 1-0

Greece/Nigeria: 0-2

Argentina/Korea: 2-1

Nigeria/Korea: 1-0

Greece/Argentina: 0-3

Comments: I think Nigeria is the sleeper in this tournament; helped by the fact that this group is paired up in the next round with a weak group A. The group is bad for Greece, going up against 3 potentially high-scoring teams.

Group C


9 - England

4 - USA

2 - Slovenia

1 - Algeria

Results

England/USA: 1-0

Algeria/Slovenia: 1-1

Slovenia/USA: 1-1

England/Algeria: 2-0

Slovenia/England: 0-1

USA/Algeria: 2-0

Comments: USA just squeaks through, based on my hope that the opening game between Slovenia and Algeria is a draw. That's the key game of the group, as a win for Slovenia makes the USA/Slovenia game a must win for the USA.

Group D


9 - Germany

4 - Ghana (+1 GD)

4 - Australia (0 GD)

0 - Serbia

Results

Serbia/Ghana: 0-2

Germany/Australia: 1-0

Germany/Serbia: 3-1

Ghana/Australia: 2-2

Ghana/Germany: 2-3

Australia/Serbia: 2-1

Comments: Down to goal difference, wow! It will definitely be down to the last day, and the Socceroos will be out based on Ghana getting a boost from the "home" crowd in the opening match.

Group E


9 - Netherlands

4 - Cameroon (+0 GD)

4 - Denmark (-1 GD)

0 - Japan

Results

Netherlands/Denmark: 2-0

Japan/Cameroon: 0-1

Netherlands/Japan: 3-1

Cameroon/Denmark: 2-2

Cameroon/Netherlands: 1-2

Denmark/Japan: 2-1

Comments: Another group coming down to goal difference. I could see Denmark getting through.

Group F


7 - Italy

5 - Paraguay

4 - Slovakia

0 - New Zeeland

Results

Italy/Paraguay: 1-1

New Zeeland/Slovakia: 0-1

Slovakia/Paraguay: 0-0

Italy/New Zeeland: 2-0

Slovakia/Italy: 1-2

Paraguay/New Zeeland: 1-0

Comments: This is the group that will be fun and come down to the last day, but not many will talk about it. I could see Paraguay taking over Italy if they win the first game.

Group G


9 - Brazil

5 - Portugal

4 - Ivory Coast

0 - North Korea

Results

Ivory Coast/Portugal: 2-2

Brazil/NK: 4-0

Brazil/Ivory Coast: 3-1

Portugal/NK: 2-0

NK/Ivory Coast: 0-2

Portugal/Brazil: 1-2

Comments: With Drogba out, it changes the whole group. Portugal/Brazil match decides the whole group.

Group H


9 - Spain

6 - Chile

1 - Switzerland

1 - Honduras

Results

Honduras/Chile: 0-2

Spain/Switzerland: 3-0

Chile/Switzerland: 1-0

Spain/Honduras: 3-0

Chile/Spain: 1-3

Switzerland/Honduras: 1-1

Comments: I think the Chile/Spain game could be a really fun game, especially if both have defeated Switzerland and Honduras.