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.