World Cup 2014 part 2

Here are my thoughts on the final four groups

Group E

This group consists of Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras

Switzerland had a good qualifying campaign and finished top of their group, they won 7 and drew 3. They have a good young team, but lack goals and there are defensive worries. Also they may struggle in the heat.

On paper France should win this group easily with the talent they have. However, they had a terrible qualifying campaign and scraped through in the play-offs. They have got some good players, but you never know what you are going to get with France. Also how well will they handle the heat.

Honduras managed to finish third in their qualifying group, finishing below USA and Costa Rica. They even beat Mexico in qualification. However, they are massive underdogs in a group with France and Switzerland. They did not disgrace themselves in South Africa 2010, only losing 1-0 to Chile and 2-0 to Spain. However, they have got quite a few older players in the squad who’s form is not top notch.

Ecuador finished fourth in their qualifying group, above Uruguay. However, the main problem was their defense and their goal threat. The conceded 1 goal per game and only scored 20 in 16 matches. They may struggle in this group.

Group winners:- France

Runners up:- Switzerland  

Group F

This group consists of Argentina, Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria

I think Argentina will be too strong for the rest of the teams in this group, and they will have an advantage with the heat. They won 9, drew 5 and lost 2 of their quaflying matches to top the group. 

I can see Bosnia being the whipping boys in the group, I don't think they will have the qualifty to cause problems.  I think the second place will between Iran and Nigeria. Iran have been in 2 of the last 6 world cups were they have played 6 matches and only won 1 of them. Iran did have a decent qualfying session, topping their group winning 5, drawing 1 and lost in 2. However, with the exception of South Korea, the oppostion were not of a high quality.

Nigeria have been in 4 of the last 6 world cups were they have won 4 of their 14 matches. The last two world cups, however, they did not win one single match. Even taking this into account I think they do have more quality than Iran

Group Winners:- Argentina

Runners Up:- Nigeria

Group G

This group consists of Germany, Portugal, Ghana and USA

Germany's record in world cups speaks for itself, and even when they have a so called poor time they are still there or there abouts. They have a very good qualfying campaign winning 9 and drawing 1. I think Germany will win the group. Ghana have been in 2 of the last 6 world cups. They won 4 of their 9 matches. They got to the quarter finals of the last world cup, but it was in South Africa. This year I think they will struggle.

USA have been in all of the last 6 world cups. They have only won 4 of the 22 matches though.USA topped their qualfying group, winning 7, drawing 1and losing 2. They may give Portugal a run for their money for the second spot.

Portugal have been in 3 of the last 6 world cups. They have won 6 of the 14 matches. They did struggle in qualifying and had to beat Sweden in a play off. They do depend on Ronaldo a lot. However, I do think they will just edge USA and qualify.

Group Winners:- Germany

Runners Up:- Nigeria

Group H

This group consists of Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea

Belgium have put together a strong team. They have been too 4 of the last 6 world cups. They have won 5 of their 15 matches, drawing 6 and losing 4. Belgium topped their qualifying group with 8 wins and 2 draws. I think in this group they will top the group

I don't fancy Algeria at all. The last world cup they looked solid but lacked any real quality. They have only been to 1 world cup in the last 6. They won 0 matches and drew 1 and lost 2. They did top their qualifying group but the opposition was not of high quality. I think they will struggle

Russia have got some decent players. They have been to 3 of the last 6 world cups. They have won 3 of their 9 matches. Russia had a good qualifying campaign finishing top of their group ahead of Portugal. 

South Korea have been to all 6 world cups since 1990. They have only won 4 of their 23 matches though. They are a busy side, however, I don't fancy them this year, they have not got the quality that Belgium and Russia possess.

Group Winners:- Belgium

Runners Up:- Russia

Knock Out Stages

Here are my predictions for the knock out stages

Rd16

Brazil Vs Netherlands 2-0

Colombia Vs England 1-2

France Vs Nigeria 2-1

Germany Vs Russia 2-0

Spain Vs Croatia 2-0

Uruguay Vs Ivory Coast 2-1

Argentina Vs Switzerland 3-1

Belgium Vs Portugal 2-0

Quarter Finals

Spain Vs Uruguay 2-1

Argentina Vs Belgium 2-1

Brazil Vs England 2-1

France Vs Germany 0-2

Semi-Finals

Brazil Vs Germany 0-2

Spain Vs Argentina 1-2

Final

Brazil Vs Argentina 1-2

So I have gone for Argentina to win.