Winner: Brazil
Runner Up: Croatia
Group A, the one that kicks off the Cup with host Brazil facing Croatia on June 12th, has a fairly clear cut winner. At home, with a loaded roster, Brazil seems to have a stranglehold here. Second place is a bit dicier with Mexico and Croatia both worthy of consideration. I'll take Croatia as Mexico struggled to even qualify for the World Cup, and just suffered a head scratching friendly loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia, meanwhile, has the strong 1-2 punch of Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, respectively. It might come down to tiebreakers, but I think Croatia escapes the group along with the host.
Critical Games
Brazil vs. Croatia, June 12th
Opening game of the Cup
Mexico vs. Croatia, June 23rd
Game will most likely decide who advances along with Brazil
Group B: Australia, Chile, Netherlands, Spain
Winner: Spain
Runner Up: Netherlands
This group could get interesting with Chile playing spoiler to the more well known Spanish and Dutch teams. Chile is actually ranked higher than the Dutch in the official FIFA rankings, but it's hard to deny the firepower and history the Dutch possess. The battle for first will be crucial, however, as the runner up will have to face the winner of Group A, most likely Brazil. Avoiding the host and being on the other side of the bracket should be motivation enough for the teams in this group. I give Spain the nod given their recent successes (2010 World Cup Champions, back to back European Champions in 2008 and 2012, runner up in 2013 Confederations Cup), as well as their always loaded midfield. The Dutch and Spain sweep Chile and Australia, but Spain edges the Dutch 1-0 on June 13th in a rematch of the 2010 World Cup Final.
Critical Games
Netherlands vs. Spain, June 13th
Not only does this feature two powerhouses in the sport, but it could determine who wins the group and avoids Brazil
Chile vs. Netherlands, June 23rd
I don't think Chile can catch Spain, but they could steal one against the Dutch and slide themselves into the runner up spot
Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Winner: Colombia
Runner Up: Greece
The biggest storyline out of this group so far is talented Colombian striker Falcao being held out of the Cup due to his injury from January not healing fully yet. They should still win the group, but if they have an off game, they might finish runner up. The tempting team to put in the runner up position would be the Ivory Coast, but I'm going to go with Greece. There's always a couple teams in each World Cup that are a bit of a surprise to escape the group stages and I think Greece could be one of this year's. They play a heavily defensive style of play, and take counter attacks if the opportunity presents itself. It's not a particularly entertaining style to watch, but it's a style that could help them steal a game against the Ivory Coast, and maybe even Colombia, to advance.
Critical Game
Greece vs. Ivory Coast, June 24th
Important game to battle it out for second place in the group
Group D: England, Costa Rica, Italy, Uruguay
Winner: Uruguay
Runner Up: Italy
Just like in Group C, the big story here revolves around injury. Star Liverpool striker Luis Suarez continues to try and come back from a leg injury he suffered in training after a spectacular season in England for Liverpool. Similar to Colombia, this won't be a make or break injury, but one that could keep them from winning the group and having to settle for second. England will give Italy and Uruguay a run for their money, and won't be an easy out by any means. The name power (Wayne Rooney) and veteran leadership (Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard) are there, but I don't think they have the guns to match Uruguay and Italy. Italy, seeking its fifth World Cup, have to be more than a little bit motivated after winning a grand total of zero games and not getting out of their group in the 2010 Cup. Gianluigi Buffon returns in net after leading Juventus to a ridiculous 33-3-2 record in Serie A this past season. Pirlo in midfield and the always dangerous, but emotional, Mario Balotelli, should be enough for Italy to advance and possibly even win, pending Suarez's health.
Critical Games
England vs. Italy, June 14th, England vs. Uruguay, June 19th, Italy vs. Uruguay, June 24th
All three teams are ranked in the top 13 in the FIFA rankings, and all three have star power up and down their lineups. England could still make some noise in this group
Group E: Ecuador, France, Honduras, Switzerland
Winner: France
Runner Up: Switzerland
Similar to Italy, France is seeking redemption for a disastrous 2010 World Cup which included a team protest against their own coach, zero wins, and an early exit. This year, just like prior to 2010, the hopes are high that France will contend not just for a spot in the knockout stage, but for the Cup itself. The group they are placed in certainly helps as they should win this one with the Swiss nipping at their heels. The Swiss had an impressive qualifying run which included seven shut outs in their ten games. They should slide in comfortably into second place.
Critical Games
France vs. Honduras, June 15th
The meltdown in 2010 in South Africa started early, so it will interesting to see how France perform and how their team reacts to the first game of this tournament.
France vs. Switzerland, June 20th
If France get off to a rocky start on June 15th, expect the Swiss to win this match as well as the group. The battle for first will be on the line here
Group F: Argentina, Nigeria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran
Winner: Argentina
Runner Up: Bosnia-Herzegovina
Argentina may have gotten the easiest draw of all the powerhouse nations, including Brazil. They are the clear cut number one and would not come as a shock if they won all three of their group matches. Second place should go to Bosnia-Herzegovina as they rolled through qualifying, posting 30 goals in 10 games. They also have striker Edin Dzeko from Manchester City, who helped City win the Premier League title. They could give Argentina a scare when they face off, but Argentina should pull away.
Critical Game
Argentina vs B-H, June 15th
We should know the fate of this group only four days into the tournament
Group G: Germany, Portugal, United States, Ghana
Winner: Germany
Runner Up: Portugal
Even though Group G is labeled the group of death, I think the top two teams are pretty clear cut. There is some concern over Christiano Ronaldo's injury and whether or not he will be healthy enough to play in the Cup. They still make it out of the group without him, but go farther in the knockout stages with him. Even with Ronaldo at full health, I think Germany wins this group rather easily. Optimistic U.S. fans will point to the fact that they beat Germany in a friendly back in June, and it was Germany that needed to rally only to come up short with the US winning 4-3. Let's be real though, that was Germany's B-squad. Yes, players like Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski played in that game, but star goalie Manuel Neuer, Germany and Bayern Munich stalwart Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil didn't play that match. Portugal snags second, but it is Germany that will come out of this group with World Cup Title expectations rather than World Cup Title hopes.
Critical Games
Germany vs. Portugal, June 16th
A game good enough for a quarter or even semi final gets played in the group stage. If Ronaldo is fit enough to play, expect an exciting one
United States vs. Ghana, June 16th
Ghana has been a thorn in the United States' side the past two World Cups. The US lost to Ghana in their final group match in 2006 that could have sent them on to the knockout stage. Then, in 2010, the US won their group, only to lose a 2-1 heart breaker in extra time in the knockout stage. If Ghana beats the US again, any hopes of advancing could go out the window early.
United States vs. Portugal, June 22nd
Assuming they beat Ghana, if the US are to advance they will need to beat Portugal, without a healthy Ronaldo, to get to the knockout stage. I expect Germany to beat both of them, so this game will be critical to put themselves in a position to come in second.
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea
Winner: Belgium
Runner Up: Russia
Belgium is the popular dark horse pick this year, but I'm not so sure the dark horse label is appropriate. It most likely has to do with their World Cup history having never won one, and only making it past the round of 16 once in 1986 (4th place). When you look at their roster, you see the makings of a favorite, not a dark horse. They have stars on every level with goalie Thibaut Courtois who just led Atletico Madrid to a Champions League Final, defender and captain Vincent Kompany, midfielders Marouane Fellaini, Mousa Dembele, and the youngster from Manchester United, Adnan Januzaj, feeding it to arguably Chelsea's best player this year, Eden Hazard. Dark horses are supposed to surprise, but it will come as no shock to me if Belgium go far, even making the finals. Russia's team is not that strong, but Algeria and South Korea should not be a threat. The luck of the draw has Russia advancing, but a knockout stage date with either Germany or Portugal sends them packing promptly afterwards.
Star Players Whose Nations Didn't Make World Cup
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden, PSG), Robert Lewandowski (Poland, Borussia Dortmund), Gareth Bale (Wales, Real Madrid), Martin Skrtel (Slovakia, Liverpool), Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia, Chelsea), Petr Cech (Czech Republic, Chelsea)
Winner: Brazil
The host nation pulls this one out as the raucous crowds and firepower up front carry them. Their road is by no means easy, as they will have to face Spain or the Dutch in the first round of the knockout stage. Add in games against Italy, Germany, and then the final and you have a daunting road ahead. Looking up and down their lineup, however, and it's hard to find a weakness. I think their 3-0 drubbing of Spain in last year's Confederations Cup was not a fluke, but more so a sign of things to come for this Cup and beyond.
Matty O
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