2010 WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS TAKE 3

 

 

OK, I've tried this twice now, the first time when the original group draw was made, and the second time after the group stages were done. Both times, I made mistakes. So can I finally get it right?

Netherlands vs Brazil: The tie of the round and a rematch of a '98 semi final. Also a matchup I predicted from way back. Both teams are on certainly on form though both have eyebrow raising scorelines, for Brazil a dull result vs Portugal, for the Dutch - could they really only beat Slovakia 2-1? Yet you can't argue that both have quality teams, the question is though, who will win this ultimate showdown? Well all through the tournament I've called Brazil to win it, the snoozeville game vs Portugal was annoying from a neutral perspective but understandable. The sambaistas are again proving to be one of the smoother sides in the tournament and they should make the semis.

Uruguay vs Ghana: Well given how the group stages played out, this particular quarter final was always going to be a Twilight Zone affair and the Ghana vs USA match was always going to be the one I was most likely to get wrong. So what do we have? This is Uruguay's first World Cup quarter final since 1970 while Ghana are in completely unchartered territory. Yet Ghana have the whole of Africa on their side. Is that going to be good enough though? I suspect not. Uruguay may not have been one of the fancied sides coming into this tournament but they clearly have class and I don't think Ghana are going to have an answer for them.

Argentina vs Germany: Well I did say the result of Germany vs England would depend on which Germany side turned up, it just so happened to be an England side with no defence! In the meantime, we have another partial rematch of the 1986 and 1990 finals(those two clashes involving the former West Germany) and what is sure to be a tasty encounter. It is clear that neither of these sides are mugs and Maradona's insanity as a coach may have been overestimated. You cannot argue with being unbeaten in a World Cup finals tournament. The Germans aren't going to go down without a fight and despite the fact that German teams are on an incredible run of 15 World Cup quarter finals, I suspect the Argies will prove the better side.

Paraguay vs Spain: I'm not sure what went wrong with Japan in the 2nd round game but credit where credit's due, it's Paraguay that are in their first ever World Cup quarter final. Even Spain haven't got this far since '02. Paraguay have been largely off my radar though aren't complete mugs. Spain are one of the best sides in the tournament on paper but have yet to really come alive - if they don't do it in a knockout game against Paraguay then they'll never do it before catching the next flight home. So, a Spanish win should be in the bank here and probably a fairly one sided one at that. Even if they continue to cruise, they'll make the semis though as a neutral I hope we get to see them in full flight for once.

 

So what would happen then?

SEMI FINALS

Brazil vs Uruguay: Still on course for this rematch of what is unofficially called the 1950 final, still think Brazil would win it.

Argentina vs Spain: Still on course for what would be the tastier of the two semis. A Spanish side on top form would win this encounter.

THIRD PLACE PLAY OFF

Uruguay vs Argentina: Still Argies to win.

FINAL

Brazil vs Spain: Still on course for this matchup in the final, starting to get a bit iffy about Spain but will still bank on them to win.

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