2010 WORLD CUP QUALIFYING PREDICTIONS

 

The Euro 2008 qualifiers have only just finished. The draw for the finals of that tournament is still a week or so away and the tournament itself is the best part of seven months away, even without England! Still, FIFA have seen fit to make the draw for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers already, even if the various campaigns won't be in full swing till late 2008! South Africa have prequalified as the hosts but other than that there are 31 spots up for grabs and six continental zones involved.

Of course, I'm going to focus mainly on the area I know most about, Europe! Here there are nine qualifying groups, the winner of each qualifies automatically and the eight highest scoring runners up are given a second chance at qualifying through two legged playoffs.

In Group A are Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania and Malta. The two obvious teams to eliminate from procedings are Albania and Malta which leaves four teams in the mixer. Hungary are the weakest of the four so that leaves Portugal, Sweden and Denmark fighting for qualification. Portugal are the best side out of those three so they're going to South Africa. Sweden vs Denmark for a place in the playoff mixer? Sweden has the edge.

In Group B it's Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg. Moldova and Luxembourg can be easily removed from the picture, pause on Latvia for a bit given that they were at Euro 2004 but only for a bit. We're left with Greece, Israel and Switzerland. In theory none of these sides deserve an easy run to South Africa one of them will make it and given that I underestimated them in Euro 2008 qualifying, I'll go for Greece. Israel vs Switzerland for a playoff mixer spot? Given their recent improvements, I fancy Israel to make it.

Group C has the Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia and San Marino. San Marino is the easiest one of the bunch to scratch. I wouldn't expect Slovakia to do much either. Slovenia might given that they made the Euro 2004 finals but I wouldn't bank on it. So, Czech Republic, Poland and Northern Ireland for a qualifying spot. I am not dumb enough to underestimate the Czechs for a third tournament in a row so they're probably headed to South Africa. Poland vs Northern Ireland for a playoff mixer spot? If they can keep their form up, there's nothing to stop NI making it.

Group D involves Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijain and Liechensten. Azerbaijan and Liechensten can both be scratched pretty easilly. So, Germany, Russia, Finland and Wales. Well Germany are Germany and Guus Hiddink may be a git but Russia are certainly too good for either Wales or Finland though if the Welsh get their act together they might nick a meaningless third place. Still, Germany goes to South Africa, Russia into the playoff mixer.

In Group E it's Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia, Armenia and Estonia. Armenia are the team to get caned here. Bosnia aren't likely to give the bigger guns much of a match either and though Estonia will edge them it won't be by much. So the qualification battle will be between Spain, Turkey and Belgium. Belgium are the weakest of the three so it's Spain vs Turkey for a spot in South Africa. Given that the Turks only scrabbled into Euro 2008 I'll go for Spain getting the early ticket to South Africa, Turkey in the playoff mixer.

Now try Group F for size: Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra. Andorra are going to get caned, so will Kasakhstan to a lesser extent. Belarus might give us some issues as well but please don't give me any more nightmares. Croatia, England and Ukraine. Three teams that were in Germany 2006 but three into two don't go let alone one for automatic qualification. OK, I'm going to be optimistic here and point to the fact that Ukraine could only finish fourth in their Euro 2008 qualifying group despite Shevchenko. If I'm doing that though I'm not going to push my luck much further. Croatia goes straight to Germany, England into the playoff mixer.

Group G involves France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria and the Faroe Islands. The Faroes are going to be the team to cane. I wouldn't expect much from Lithuania either. Austria might give the bigger guns a match but won't be a serious threat. France, Romania, Serbia. Out of those three, France are definately going to South Africa. Romania vs Serbia for a playoff mixer spot? Romania shouldn't have a problem with that, one of the more straightforward groups.

In Group H we have Italy, Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro. It's Montenegro's first qualifying attempt as a separate entity, doubt they're going to get very far. Georgia may have embarrassed Scotland and ROI respectively but in Euro 2008 qualifying but those results can be filed down as flukes. Italy, Republic of Ireland, Bulgaria. Italy have a title to defend, they're going to South Africa to do just that. ROI vs Bulgaria for a spot in the playoff mixer? ROI have to get their act together sometime, I'll go with them.

In Group I it's Netherlands, Scotland, Norway, Macedonia and Iceland. Well the only question Iceland and Macedonia should be asking themselves is "who's going to finish bottom?". That'll leave Netherlands, Scotland and Norway in the race for South Africa and the Dutch will surely get the early ticket. Scotland vs Norway for a spot in the playoff mixer. Well neither side made it to Euro 2008 but Scotland improved enough to suggest that they'll edge this one.

So, the playoff mixer would look like this: Sweden, Israel, Northern Ireland, Russia, Turkey, England, Romania, Republic of Ireland and Scotland! Eight of these nine teams will make it to the playoffs, question is, which ones? England? Definately. Russia and Turkey are the next two that come to mind. Then Sweden, then Romania. Then Scotland, then Republic of Ireland. Who'd complete the playoff draw, Israel or Northern Ireland? I'll be harsh and say Israel. More on the playoffs later.

A quick run through other continental zones(please bear with if I make a prat out of myself). First up Africa. Twelve groups, winners and eight best second place teams go through to a final group stage, winners of each final group go to South Africa. Group 1 is Cameroon, Cape Verde, Tanzania, Mauritus(Cameroon to win, Tanzania second). Group 2 is Guinea, Zimbabwe Namibia, Kenya(Guinea wins, Kenya second). Group 3 is Angola, Benin, Uganda Niger(Angola wins, Niger second). Group 4: Nigeria, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leonne(Nigeria wins, South Africa second). Group 5: Ghana, Libya, Gabon, Lesotho(Ghana wins, Libya second). Group 6: Senegal, Algeria, Liberia Gambia(Senegal wins, Algeria second). Group 7: Ivory Coast, Mozambique, Botswana, Madagascar(Ivory Coast wins, Mozambique in second place). Group 8: Morrocco, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mauritiana(Morrocco wins, Mauritiana second place). Group 9: Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Seychelles(Tunisia wins, Burkina Faso second). Group 10: Mali, Congo, Sudan, Chad(Mali wins, Congo second). Group 11: Togo, Zambia, Eritrea, Swaziland(Togo wins, Zambia second). Group 12: Egypt, Congo DR, Malawi, Djibouti(Egypt wins, Congo DR second). South Africa, Libya, Kenya, Congo, Niger, Burkina Faso, Algeria, Mozambique join the group winners in the final round and assuming a sane draw, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Morrocco go to South Africa.

Next stop, Asia. Five group, top two go through to a final group stage, top two in each final group go to South Africa, third place teams get a second chance playing each other in a two leggedplayoff, winner of playoff faces Oceania team in further playoff. Group 1: Australia, China, Iraq, Qatar(Australia and China go through to final group). Group 2: Japan, Bahrain, Oman, Thailand(Japan and Bahrain go through). Group 3: South Korea, North Korea, Jordan, Turkmenistan(South Korea and North Korea through to final group). Group 4: Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Singapore(Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan through to final group). Group 5: Iran, Kuwait, UAE, Syria(Iran and Kuwait go through). Assuming a sane final round draw I'll go for Australia, Saudi Arabia, Japan and South Korea to go to South Africa. Iran vs China in the playoff.

Nest, North America. A series of two legged matches leading to two rounds of group stages. Top three in final group go to South Africa, fourth place faces a South America team. Group 1A preliminary: Dominica vs Barbados(Barbados to win). Winner faces USA in Group 1A final who shouldn't have a problem with either side. Group 1B preliminary: Turks and Caicos Island vs St Lucia(St Lucia to win). Winner faces Guatamala in 1B final who should grogress. Group 1C preliminary: Bermuda vs Cayman Islands(Bermuda to win) Winner faces Trinidad and Tobago in 1C final, T+T to go through. Group 1D preliminary: Antigua and Barbuda vs Aruba(Antigua and Barbuda to go through). Winner faces Cuba in 1D final. Cuba probably edge it. USA and T+T to qualify from Group 1 into final group. Group 2A preliminary: Belize vs St Kitts and Nevis(Belize to go through). Mexico to face the winners in 2A final and probably hammer them. Group 2B preliminary: Bahamas vs British Virgin Islands(Bahamas to win). Jamaica faces winner in 2B final and will beat whoever it is. Group 2C preliminary: Dominican Republic vs Puerto Rico(Puerto Rico to win). Winner faces Honduras who'll proably edge it. Group 2D: No preliminary, the group final is between Canada and St Vincent and Grenadines. Canada to win. Mexico and probably Canada to qualy from Group 2 to final round. Group 3A: US Vigin Islands vs Grenada(US VIrgin Islands to win). Winner faces Costa Rica who'll hammer them. Group 3B: Surinamme vs Montserrat(Surriname to win) Winner faces Guyana, Surinamme to remain standing. Group 3C: El Salvador vs Anguilla(El Salvador to win). Winner faces Panama who'll probably edge it. Group 3D: Nigaragua vs Netherlands Antilles(Nicaragua to win). Winner faces Haiti, Nicaragua to remain standing. Costa Rica and Panama to qualify for final round from Group 3. USA, Mexico and Costa Rica to go to South Africa, Canada to face playoff against South American team.

Next South America: One large group made up of Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Columbia, Paraquay, Ecuador, Chille, Bolivia, Peru, Venuzuala. Top four go through to south Africa, fifth place team faces a North America side And it's already underway. At the moment it's Paraguay in 1st, Argentina, second, Brazil 3rd, Columbia 4th and all on course for South Africa with Venuzuala in 5th and on course for the playoff. Top four look reasonable but It's expect Uruguay to nick fifth and make the playoff.

Finally Oceania. That side of things is well underway. A preliminary round and first round proper have already taken place so that just leaves one final group. Top two through to two legged playoff, winner faces Asian team in another playoff. The final group is made up of New Zealand, New Celedonia, Fiji and Vanatu. That's underway with New Zealand way out in the lead and New Caledonia in second place. Fiji might overhaul New Caledonia though which make New Zealand vs Fiji the playoff tie.

So, at the end of the bulk of the action they'll still be a lot of places up for grabs throught continental playoffs. Going by earlier prediction, in Europe, those will involve England, Russia, Turkey, Sweden, Romania, Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Israel. Assuming a sane draw. I'll definately have England, Russia and Turkey going to South Africa and I'll take a chance on Romania as well. In Asia we're talking Iran vs China. Iran to face the winner of what will be the New Zealand vs Fiji tie in Oceania. New Zealand to win that one.

Finally, a couple of intercontinental ties to tidy up. First up, Canada vs Uruguay. Uruguay certain have the history but Canada aren't completely useless themselves. Uruguay will probably edge it to Soiuth Africa. Finally, Iran vs New Zealand. With the Aussies officially gone from Oceania the Kiwis be the biggest fish in a small pond but I'd expect Iran to outclass them and book that last ticket to South Africa. So that's my 32 picks sorted sorted out.

They are:

South Africa

Portugal

Greece

Czech Republic

Germany

Spain

Croatia

France

Italy

Netherlands

Nigeria

Ghana

Ivory Coast

Cameroon

Morrocco

Saudi Arabia

Australia

Japan

South Korea

USA

Mexico

Costa Rica

Brazil

Argentina

Columbia

Paraguay

England

Russia

Turkey

Romania

Uruguay

Iran

Now let's see how many of those I get right.

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