I can hardly believe we are only a few days away from the opening game in Sao Paulo. The Fool and myself have been quietly (or not so quietly) anticipating this week for a long long time. And why would we not? The first weekend has a huge line up of games with several of the match up that very very intriguing.
So with that in mind I will be looking at the first “weekend” of games. Now the reason I put “weekend” in quotation marks is because I have managed to score myself a 3 day weekend with the cunning use of emails. And given the next review will be due midday Tuesday 16th (NZT), I figure that I will review the games until the 16th (NZT). This gives us a total of 14 games to look forward to. So without further adieu:
Brazil vs Croatia
The host teams opening game. This game will play in the wee hours of 0800 my time, and promises to be a cracker. The hosts I feel are right fully favourites. Croatia are no longer the force they used to be and whilst I am not writing them off, I feel the hosts will easily manage to keep them from scoring. On the other end Neymar has a point to prove after his disappointing debut season at Barcelona. Croatia does have a team that is capable of getting goals so they may be able to pull one back. They may try to play for a draw.
Expected result: Brazil 2 – Croatia 1.
Mexico vs Cameroon.
I have had a chance to watch this Mexico team in action against the All Whites last November, and quite frankly, I was not that impressed. The Mexicans won quite handily 5-2 but one always felt they let the All Whites have too much possession and conceded 2 very soft goals. They will need to do much better against a very motivated Cameroon side. But are they motivated, breaking news this morning was that they nearly didn’t board the plane to Brazil because of pay related issues. This is not the sort of thing you want to hear before a big tournament. Still I think the Indomitable Lions have too much class for El Tri,and I expect a pretty handy victory.
Expected result: Cameroon 2 – Mexico 0.
Spain vs Holland
A repeat of the 2010 Final, and arguably the highlight of the opening weekend. This game has been eagerly anticipated since the draw was announced. It is not hard to see why, Spain are defending World Champions, and defended their Euro title in 2012; the Netherlands were undefeated in qualifying (in an admittedly weak group). This match will hopefully not be a repeat of the horror that was the 2010 final. The Netherlands under Louis Van Gaal play a very different game to Bert Van Maarwjik’s 2010 side. It is a very difficult game to pick; my heart as always is behind the Oranje but my brain back La Roja.
Expected result: Spain 1 – Netherlands 0.
Chile vs Australia
When the draw was announced, it was pretty much accepted that the Socceroos were up the proverbial creek. This game against Chile will no doubt show how right everyone was. The Chileans are a very impressive side, and are familiar with the local conditions. The Aussie fans might feel that this is the one game in this tournament they can get something out of, but I disagree. Australia is going to be the team everyone else in Group B is going to target.
Expected result: Chile 3 – Australia 0.
Colombia vs Greece
A close game in a close group. Colombia are the fourth seeded team in this tournament, but losing Falcao through injury, is going to be a big blow to their chances. Greece have done well to qualify and they definitely have a chance to advance from their group. This game is going to be played at 1 pm local time in the heat of Belo Horizonte. Just looking at the quality of the squads, and the local the Colombians should have the edge.
Expected result: Colombia 1 – Greece 0.
Uruguay vs Costa Rica
There are no easy matches in Group D, but Costa Rica have their work cut out against them playing Uruguay first. Suarez or no Suarez, Uruguay have a strong forward line, and one would think goals would not be a problem; it is the other end where the question mark lies. The Central Americans will fancy their chances of catching a goal or two but Uruguay will probably show too much class and take this one.
Expected result: Uruguay 3 – Costa Rica 1.
England vs Italy
This was the fixture Roy Hodgson wanted to avoid, and you could imagine his stomach curdling when this game was drawn. Italy and England get to battle it out for 90 minutes in the Amazon at 1pm. Local players have called playing in these conditions inhuman, but we all know FIFA does not care about that. I expect a conservative approach from both teams, trying to not get too many injuries and save some energy for Uruguay and Costa Rica. It is hard to not see this game be anything but a timid draw.
Expected result: England 0 – Italy 0.
Cote D’Ivoire vs Japan
Another wonderful Group C fixture to look forward to, on one end we Africa’s perennial under achievers who arrive in this tournament with what I believe is the African strongest side to ever grace a World Cup; on the other we have Asia’s undisputed best side. Both teams will attack and I feel it will be a very close but high scoring game. But the African’s will edge it.
Expected result: Cote D’Ivoire 3 – Japan 2
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Germany vs Portugal
What can I say about this match up? Both teams will be keen and chomping at the bit to go out. Both Portugal and Germany have injury problems but you feel Germany are less effected by the loss of Khedira, Reus or even Lahm, than Portugal would be if their inspirational captain Cristiano Ronaldo does not play. If Ronaldo does not play, it is very difficult to see Portugal getting anything out of this fixture; with him they could get all 3 points.
Expected result: Germany 2 Portugal 2.
Iran vs Nigeria
Both teams will be looking to target this game, because they will need to win to progress to the next round. Nigeria in recent times have looked a tight outfit, with several classy players at their disposal, and Iran have never made it past the first round of the tournament. Unfortunately for them I don’t see them doing it this time either.
Expected result: Nigeria 2 – Iran 0.
Ghana vs USA
Both Ghana and the USA must have breathed a sigh of relief when they found that their opening game was not against either Germany or Portugal. They will both be looking to get 3 points out of this game and use the momentum to try and steal as many points as possible in their next 2 games. The USA have lost to Ghana in their last 2 World Cups, I expect Ghana will produce a three-peat.
Expected Result: Ghana 2- USA 1.
NineSixFourTwo 