Predictions for the FIFA World Cup 2014

The stage is set and footy fans all over the world are waiting for the international football extravaganza to kick off in Belo Horizonte.

The draws have proven to be more than satisfactory and the groups to look out for are the Group of Death (Group D: Uruguay; Costa Rica; England and Italy) and the Group of Giants (Group G: Germany; Portugal; Ghana and USA).

The likes of in form Luiz Suarez and Edinson Cavani leading the attack for Uruguay will give nightmares to the already frail English defense. On the other hand, the Uruguayian defense will face difficulty in coping with the pace of the English forwards and midfielders.

The German team, full of exuberance, has the right mixture of young talent and much required experience in the form of Mesut Ozil and Per Mertesacker. Moreover, the likes of Mats Hummels, Marcel Schmelzer and Jerome Boateng in the German defense are going to make it strenuous for any team to penetrate. Germany not making it to the round of 16 is an implausible event.The same goes for Portugal if Ronaldo maintains his present form till the world cup. Ghana and the USA should not be taken for granted by the the two biggies; because if they do, their World Cup dreams will be ephemeral.

The groups C and E are what I call “unfair” groups; there is not one decent team in either of these two, if you leave out France (I prefer not to). France is going to have an undeserved cakewalk into the round of 16.

Now coming to the predictions:

First up, the group stages:

1. In Group A, Brazil will end up as group toppers, followed by Luka Modric‘s Croatia. If Croatia approaches the World Cup in a light headed manner, then they would have to pack their bags a match earlier, giving way to Mexico.
2. In Group B, Spain, with a throng of stars will emerge winners, followed by the WC 2010 runners up, Netherlands.
3. In Group C, Radamel Falcao and Co. will top the group, followed by Didier Drogba‘s Cote d’Ivorie. But it will not be a cakewalk for either of these two teams.
4. In Group D, Italy will top the group by a considerably good margin. The second position is what is going to be highly contended for. But my prediction is that Uruguay will be the team to see light at the end of the tunnel. England would have to pack their bags and head back just after the Group stages.
5. In Group E, France will go through to the round of 16 as group toppers followed by Switzerland.
6. In Group F, Argentina are the obvious group toppers and Nigeria will also get a ticket to the round of 16.
7. In Group G, Germany will emerge table toppers followed by Portugal because Germany is just the more complete team.
8. In Group H, Belgium and South Korea will go through to the next round, given the dismal form of the Russian team.

Next, the round of 16:

1. Brazil v/s Netherlands: This will be a decent one, but Brazil will be the team walking into the sunset with the W.
2. Columbia v/s Uruguay: It will be a cakewalk for Uruguay.
3. Spain v/s Croatia: This should be an easy one for Spain. But they will make it difficult for themselves by making unforced errors. Spain will win, though.
4. Italy v/s Cote d’Ivoire: Italy will emerge victorious by a margin of at least 3 goals.
5. France v/s Nigeria: Again, France dodging a stray bullet by evading Argentina, will go through (undeservedly, in my opinion).
6. Germany v/s South Korea: Well played South Korea, but it’s time to say goodbye.
7. Argentina v/s Switzerland: The outcome is not in question. It is by how much Argentina will win that is the question.
8. Belgium v/s Portugal: This is a cracker. It will be a nail biter and probably will go into extra time, but Portugal, being the better side, would win.

Next, the quarterfinals:

1. Brazil v/s Uruguay: This continental battle will end up in a Brazil win.
2. France v/s Germany: France’s dream run in the World Cup will come to a screeching halt as they will face humiliation against Germany.
3. Spain v/s Italy: This will be a spectacle which would leave people sitting on the edge of their seats. But I think it would be Italy having the last laugh.
4. Argentina vs Portugal: The clash of the Titans. This would be the match of the tournament. All the “Messi vs Ronaldo” fights would amalgamate in Brasilia. But at the end of the day, I think Argentina would take the win.

Next, the semifinals:

1. Brazil v/s Germany: This is the pinnacle of football. One just cannot logically argue which team would win. But I am taking a wild guess like Octopus Paul and predicting that Brazil would win.
2. Italy v/s Argentina: This would be a blockbuster. To predict the outcome of this match is extremely difficult, if not Mission Impossible. I am again taking a guess that Messi will conjure some magic to win it for Argentina, thereby shutting up the critics.

So the grand finale would be a rivalry between two South American giants, Brazil and Argentina. I would not be surprised if a war breaks out in the field. Like almost all the World Cup finals this would be a promising match and will likely go to penalties. Then, despite their home advantage, Brazil will lose to Argentina and Argentina will be crowned champions of the world in Maracana, Rio de Janerio.