Group Previews: Part 2

So I’ve been struggling with doing the group previews for the World Cup. Even though I enjoy the event, and soccer in general, I can’t say that I am familiar with Croatia’s midfield or Iran’s options at striker.

But the reality of the World Cup is that only a handful of teams have a legitimate shot at winning the tournament, about 25 teams expect to get out of their group, and the rest are just happy to qualify for the World Cup.

I won’t focus too much on tactics, but here are my group previews for groups E through H minus group G.

Admittedly, these aren't the most exciting groups to talk about, but the eventual World Champion could come out of these groups, so we moved forward nonetheless. 

Group E: Ecuador, France, Honduras, Switzerland

This is the first group where you could see any of the four teams advancing to the knock out round, not because of the strength of the teams, but because of their weaknesses.

Four years ago France was a disgrace, with their players basically going on strike during the tournament and refusing to practice.

Before the recent injury to French star Franck Ribery I would have picked France to win this group, but now, who knows. Let’s just go crazy.

Prediction: Switzerland and France advance to knock out round (not so crazy I guess)

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia, Nigeria, Iran

Argentina are going to win this group by sweeping all three games in the group, so the only question is who will finish second?

It will come down to Nigeria and Bosnia because Iran will just be glad to be making the trip. After watching Nigeria play the US in the Yanks final send off game before the World Cup, I wasn’t very impressed with the lack of ability to finish in the final third by the Nigerians. Against an inexperienced back four for the United States, Nigeria managed no real chances until the US started subbing in replacements late in the second half.

Meanwhile, Bosnia is a curse on the commentators for their games. Just look at their roster and you can feel Ian Darke shudder all the way from Brazil. The crazy part of this group is that whoever does manage to advance as the second place team from this group is going to get a very favorable draw against the winner of Group E, so the two teams that advance from Group F could both end up in the quarterfinals.

Prediction: Argentina and Nigeria advance to knock out round

Group G: Algeria, Belgium, Russia, South Korea

Belgium are an up and coming team with a lot of talented individuals. They are also the likely opponent for the United States in the round of 16 if the Americans can advance out of the group stage.

Belgium are definitely the class of this group but the real question, as it is in so many groups, is who will advance as the second team out of the group?

Algeria played very well in the last World Cup and were a bit unlucky not to advance to the knock out round.  Russia have a strong squad and an experience coach in Fabio Capella.  South Korea made it all the way to the semi-finals in 2002, and have a good squad again this year.

If Belgium win all three of their games, as they will be favored to do, then it will probably come down to the winner of the Russia/South Korea game. I haven’t been very bold in my predictions, so I’ll try and be bold now.

Prediction: Belgium and South Korea advance to knock out round