FIFA WC 2014 - Knockout predcitions

"Of the World Cups I've seen with my own eyes, this has been the best. We're in a country where people live and breathe football, where football is a religion. I'm not surprised that we've witnessed extremely attacking football, with a lot of goals and entertainment." – Ivan Zomarano

This is what the former Chilean great has to say about this edition of the world cup. And may I say, this has been the world cup of the upsets too with giants like Spain, Italy, England & Portugal already shown the door. Most of the match level predictions fell flat if you look at the predicted scores and what actually transpired. The group level predictions on who will qualify look a little better.

Group A wasn’t as close as I thought as Mexico played superbly even holding hosts Brazil to a draw.

Group B - Spain put up a dismal show and looked lost in the first two matches which Chile capitalized on. Netherlands played like champions but special mention must be made of Australia. Although the final scores don’t reflect it they played some real good football. The Netherlands-Australia being one of the best encounters this world cup.

Group C – Japan’s performance was below par and Greece scrambled through as predicted but it is Colombia who have put up a splendid show.

Group D -  For Costa Rica to qualify as the top team in a group which has England, Italy and Uruguay is an amazing feat. Uruguay put their act together in the later part and got through largely due to Suarez. Now that Suarez is out, their fate in the world cup hangs in balance. England didn’t get through as predicted. Ital, the old war horse got trapped in its own tricks.

Group E – France and Switzerland got through as predicted although Ecuador game them a scare.

Group F – This group was better than I thought. Argentina got through with ease. But the other three teams including Iran fought well. Kudos to Nigeria for getting through; I am sad for Bosnia & Herzegovina though; they showed promise but couldn’t convert due to the lack of a good striker.

Group G – This group lived up to its expectations and finally got decided on goal difference. Portugal due to their routing at the hands of Germany lost out. Once again a reminder that great players alone can’t win you matches in football, they just provide you the edge but you need a good team to win. USA are looking a dangerous side under their German coach (you know who J). Ghana played well too but were unlucky.

Group H – Belgium topped the group as predicted but Algeria surprised – what a show against Korea. Russia didn’t do as well as anticipated.

 

Here are the predictions for the remaining matches with predictions for the finals and 3^rd/4^th match reserved J

Have Fun!

 

My FIFA predictions for 2014

With the world cup due to start in a couple of days, here are my predictions for the 1^st stage just for fun:

Date	Group	Teams	Predicted Result
Thursday 12 June	A	Brazil	2
		Croatia	1
Friday 13 June	A	Mexico	2
		Cameroon	0
Friday 13 June	B	Spain	1
		Netherlands	1
Friday 13 June	B	Chile	1
		Austraila	0
Saturday 14 June	C	Colombia	1
		Greece	2
Saturday 14 June	D	Uruguay	2
		Costa Rica	0
Saturday 14 June	D	England	0
		Italy	0
Saturday 14 June	C	Ivory Coast	1
		Japan	2
Sunday 15 June	E	Switzerland	2
		Ecuador	0
Sunday 15 June	E	France	2
		Honduras	0
Sunday 15 June	F	Argentina	3
		Bosnia & Herzegovina	1
Monday 16 June	G	Germany	2
		Portugal	1
Monday 16 June	F	Iran	0
		Nigeria	2
Monday 16 June	G	Ghana	2
		USA	2
Tuesday 17 June	H	Belgium	2
		Algeria	0
Tuesday 17 June	A	Brazil	2
		Mexico	0
Tuesday 17 June	H	Russia	2
		Korea	1
Wednesday 18 June	B	Austraila	1
		Netherlands	2
Wednesday 18 June	B	Spain	2
		Chile	0
Wednesday 18 June	A	Cameroon	1
		Croatia	2
Thursday 19 June	C	Colombia	2
		Ivory Coast	2
Thursday 19 June	D	Uruguay	2
		England	1
Thursday 19 June	C	Japan	2
		Greece	1
Friday 20 June	D	Italy	1
		Costa Rica	0
Friday 20 June	E	Switzerland	1
		France	1
Friday 20 June	E	Honduras	1
		Ecuador	1
Saturday 21 June	F	Argentina	4
		Iran	0
Saturday 21 June	G	Germany	3
		Ghana	0
Saturday 21 June	F	Nigeria	1
		Bosnia & Herzegovina	2
Sunday 22 June	H	Belgium	1
		Russia	0
Sunday 22 June	H	Korea	2
		Algeria	1
Sunday 22 June	G	USA	0
		Portugal	2
Monday 23 June	B	Netherlands	2
		Chile	0
Monday 23 June	B	Austraila	0
		Spain	2
Monday 23 June	A	Cameroon	0
		Brazil	2
Monday 23 June	A	Croatia	2
		Mexico	2
Tuesday 24 June	D	Italy	2
		Uruguay	1
Tuesday 24 June	D	Costa Rica	1
		England	2
Tuesday 24 June	C	Japan	1
		Colombia	1
Tuesday 24 June	C	Greece	1
		Ivory Coast	1
Wednesday 25 June	F	Nigeria	1
		Argentina	2
Wednesday 25 June	F	Bosnia & Herzegovina	2
		Iran	0
Wednesday 25 June	E	Honduras	0
		Switzerland	2
Wednesday 25 June	E	Ecuador	0
		France	2
Thursday 26 June	G	Portugal	2
		Ghana	1
Thursday 26 June	G	USA	1
		Germany	2
Thursday 26 June	H	Korea	1
		Belgium	2
Thursday 26 June	H	Algeria	0
		Russia	2

 

Points wise here is what I think is possible (Assuming 3 points for a win and 1 each for a draw)

Row Labels	Team Points
A
Brazil	9
Cameroon	0
Croatia	4
Mexico	4
B
Austraila	0
Chile	3
Netherlands	7
Spain	7
C
Colombia	2
Greece	4
Ivory Coast	2
Japan	7
D
Costa Rica	0
England	4
Italy	7
Uruguay	6
E
Ecuador	1
France	7
Honduras	1
Switzerland	7
F
Argentina	9
Bosnia & Herzegovina	6
Iran	0
Nigeria	3
G
Germany	9
Ghana	1
Portugal	6
USA	1
H
Algeria	0
Belgium	9
Korea	3
Russia	6

 

Group A

Brazil should have no issues making it to the second round. The other three teams, however, will have to slug it out. All three teams are almost equal, I have given a slight edge to Mexico and Croatia based on their performances in the recent past. Croatia may draw some inspiration from the heroics of Davor Suker in their debut world cup and might come up with a repeat performance this world cup. Mexico will be playing in similar conditions back home and may use that to their advantage. Although Croatia is my favorite of the three, I think Mexico will make it to the next round based on goal difference.

Group B

Group B looks like a no brainer. It should be Spain and Netherlands all the way. Chile and Australia are good teams and may have done well in some other group but tough luck for them this time.

Group C

This again is a group of equals. I am going with Japan based on their performances in the past 2 world cups. They have a very good striker in Honda and may well sail through easily. Latin conditions may favor Colombia and Ivory Coast may benefit from the presence of Drogba and Kalou but I will go with Greece as they are the big tournament team going by their previous performances.

Group D

With Italy, England and Uruguay in the fray, this group can’t get more exciting. Watch out for some close matches and hard fought contests. Italy is an old horse who knows its way through. Uruguay have Suarez and my favorite Deigo Forlan plus their performance in the last world cup to bank on. England have the likes of Rooney, Gerrard and Lampard but they more often than not fail to perform at the big stage. I will bank on Italy and Uruguay to sail through this group.

Group E

I don’t see Equador and Honduras making a big impression. France and Switzerland should have no issues moving ahead - A boring group overall. Not a big fan of the French anyways.

Group F

Again, Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina will have a cakewalk here. You may still want to keep an eye here for the beautiful Scandinavian style of football here and off-course Argentina loves to annihilate their weaker opponents – will not be surprised to see big scores here.

Group G

This is a group of the champions and the underdogs. We should witness some spirited display of the beautiful game in all matches in this group. In the end though, Germany and Portugal will make through. Expect to see some good contests though.

Group H

Every world cup there is the champions – Brazil, Germany, Spain, Italy, Netherlands etc and there is one team that is all heart and wins hearts with their performances and springs up surprises – remember Croatia, Korea, Japan and Uruguay in the last world cup – Belgium might be that team this world cup – the dark horse. Only thing they need is a hero, let’s see who rises to the occasion gets his name added to the list of Forlans, Sukers and the Hondas.  Despite the presence of Korea in the group, Russia should be the other team to go through.

I will have follow-up posts before the start of each stage with predictions of next round and analysis of the previous one.

What are your predictions? Who will have the crowning glory this time?

Happy Watching!