World Cup South Africa 2010: BS&C Predictions

With the World Cup beginning tomorrow in South Africa, I can no longer delay making my predictions. So here they are...

Group A:

Mexico and Uruguay go through into knockout play. South Africa doesn’t have the horses to advance, and France can’t seem to find itself since they lost to Italy in 2006.

Group B:

Argentina and South Korea to go through. Greece and Nigeria will not be able to cope with the pace of Korea, and the skill of Argentina.

Group C:

England and United States to go through. Algeria doesn’t have a wealth of experience at playing teams like the USA and England. This will result in their elimination. The Slovenians simply won’t score enough goals to make it through.

Group D:

Germany and Serbia to go through. Australia and Ghana have little chance against these extremely hard working and organized teams.

Group E:

Netherlands and Cameroon to go through. Denmark has the skill and organization to advance, but will disappoint. Japan will not be able to cope with the skill of the Dutch, and the physicality of Cameroon.

Group F:

Italy and Paraguay to advance. No one really expects New Zealand to go through. A television presenter said something to the effect that if they earn any points at all in group play, it will be a victory for the All-Whites. I don’t know much about Slovakia from a football perspective, but I doubt they will have the skill or composure to take points from Italy and Paraguay.

Group G:

Brazil and Ivory Coast to advance. Portugal has struggled in their World Cup warmup matches against some very meager opposition. In addition, no more Rui Costa to settle things down when they get crazy for Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo and Deco are fine players, but they lack the type of complimentary players that will bring out the most in their talents. North Korea will simply be outclassed.

Group H:

Spain and Honduras to go though. Switzerland and Chile will underestimate Los Catratchos and will pay the price. Spain saunters to the top of the group after a series of laughers.

Knockout play produces...

a final four of Serbia v. Netherlands and Argentina v. Spain. Spain over Argentina, Netherlands over Serbia. Netherlands to win World Cup, Argentina defeats Serbia in the match for 3rd place.

This prediction was made at 15.30 hours United States PDT. let us fervently hope I’m wrong and that the United States scraps its way to the top. I also predict that Alexi Lalas will be relentlessly annoying throughout all of the English language coverage on ABC/ESPN, making me wish that I had all the Spanish language channels on HD.