Your Guide To World Cup 2014: Part 4 - Group Stage Predictions

Group A:

1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon

Brazil are loose, stacked and at home. Anything less than top of the group would be a shock, anything less than a tournament victory will be a failure. Look for them to have 9 points after the group stage – and the real battle to ensue for 2nd place. Croatia is just too strong for a fledgling Mexico side, as well as a Cameroon one that just boarded the plane after reconciling their accounting.

Croatia will need Luka Modric if they are to get out of a tough group. (Photo:@Madridistafacts | Twitter)

Group B:

1. Netherlands 
2. Spain 
3. Chile
4. Australia

A mouth-watering rematch of the 2010 FWC final kicks-off on June 13th – look for the Netherlands to get the better of Spain this time around, with the latter having just enough against Chile to secure 2nd spot, and a Round of 16 clash with Brazil. Australia will play the part of punching bag.

Group C:

1. Colombia 
2. Ivory Coast 
3. Japan
4. Greece 

Colombia will certainly feel the loss of Radamel Falcao, but they remain the class of the group. Look for Greece to play their typical style – stingy at the back and looking to capitalize on the rare opportunity – it won’t work. The true battle is for second, and the attacking experience of the Ivory Coast will just be enough to overcome the strength of Japan’s midfield.

We think this will be the year Yaya Toure and The Elephants get out of the group stage. (Photo:@Skyfootball | Twitter) 

Group D:

1. Uruguay
2. England
3. Italy
4. Costa Rica 

A tough call. Uruguay top the group with more consistent finishers than the other three. Costa Rica have class, but they can’t crack the top two, which will leave Italy and England battling it out for second. Italy still rely on an older Andrea Pirlo through the middle, as they seem to have for years. England are solid all over, if unspectacular, but that consistency will secure second spot, at the expense of Italian cracks.

With Edinson Cavani and a healthy Luis Suarez, Uruguay has one of the best striking tandems in the tournament. (Photo:@Footy_QUQSTER | Twitter) 

Group E:

1. France
2. Switzerland
3. Ecuador
4. Honduras

The group everyone wanted. The Swiss were a surprise #1 seed, and with some youth, have moved on a bit from their tight, no-nonsense style of play. Look for them to entertain a bit more than the past, and secure 2nd spot. France will rue the loss of Franck Ribery, but still possess enough to top the group – and exorcise some 2010 demons. Ecuador will turn wins into draws, and Honduras is out of its comfort zone here.

Group F:

1. Argentina
2. Nigeria
3. Bosnia-Herzegovina 
4. Iran

Argentina are currently licking their lips. Ángel di María will solidify his status as a world star this summer, as they’ll stroll into the quarters and beyond. Bosnia-Herzegovina are the pick of most for second spot, but look for Nigeria to surprise and claim the spot. They’ve had a fairly stable squad since their 2013 African Cup of Nations win – and that consistency will power them through.

Edin Dzeko will carry Bosina- Herzegovina into their first ever World Cup, but can he do enough to get them out of the group stage? (Photo:@MCFC | Twitter) 

Edin Dzeko will carry Bosina- Herzegovina into their first ever World Cup, but can he do enough to get them out of the group stage? (Photo:@MCFC | Twitter) 

Group G:

1. Germany
2. USA
3. Portugal
4. Ghana

The USA will beat Ghana. Germany will sail through Portugal and Ghana. With an out-of-sorts Ronaldo off his game, the USA will tie Portugal. Ghana and Portugal will play an uninspired tie, and that leaves the USA to stroll into the second round behind Germany. Germany are too strong top to bottom, and the USA will leverage their fitness and the preparation that has them peaking at the perfect moment.

Lukas Podolski leads a stacked German side will surely go deep in the tournament. (Photo:@GoalUK | Twitter) 

Group H:

1. Belgium 
2. Russia
3. South Korea 
4. Algeria 

Belgium, everyone’s dandy, will live up to the hype in the first round and top the group, on the backs of the attacking 4 of Lukaku, Hazard, Mirallas and Du Bruyne. The seven behind them aren’t all that bad either. Russia will win their head-to-head match with South Korea and sew-up second spot. Algeria are just happy to be here – and perhaps some of the few who are happy Landon Donvan’s not.

Romelu Lukaku and Belgium are one of the dark horse favorites of the World Cup. (Photo:@Standardsport | Twitter)

Romelu Lukaku and Belgium are one of the dark horse favorites of the World Cup. (Photo:@Standardsport | Twitter)