Fifa World Cup RSA

Group stage predictions
Not expecting many surprises in the group stage – not among the big guns anyways. South Africa and Australia can pull off shockers by reaching the last 16 – while Didier Drogba’s injury will ruin Ivory Coast’s hopes.

(Top two teams in each group advance)
Group A – 1. France, 2. South Africa, 3. Mexico, 4. Uruguay
Group B – 1. Argentina, 2. Greece, 3. Nigeria, 4. South Korea
Group C – 1. England, 2. United States, 3. Slovenia, 4. Algeria
Group D – 1. Germany, 2. Australia, 3. Serbia, 4. Ghana
Group E – 1. Netherlands, 2. Cameroon, 3. Denmark, 4. Japan
Group F – 1. Italy, 2. Paraguay, 3. Slovakia, 4. New Zealand
Group G – 1. Brazil, 2. Portugal, 3. Ivory Coast, 4. North Korea
Group H – 1. Spain, 2. Chile, 3. Switzerland, 4. Honduras

Round of 16 predictions
Most of the hopefuls bow out at this juncture, leaving a powerhouse quarterfinal lineup to fight it out for the trophy. Cameroon ends Italy’s defense of its title with another strong performance to keep the African interest alive.

France defeats Greece
Argentina defeats South Africa
England defeats Australia
Germany defeats United States
Netherlands defeats Paraguay
Cameroon defeats Italy
Brazil defeats Chile
Spain defeats Portugal

Quarterfinal predictions

Lionel Messi’s magnificence won’t be enough to see off the structured Germans, while England keeps rolling and Brazil outlasts Netherlands in one of the games of the tournament. Cameroon’s brave run finally comes to an end, but only after giving Spain a fright.

England defeats France
Germany defeats Argentina
Brazil defeats Netherlands
Spain defeats Cameroon

Semifinal predictions

It takes the brilliance of Dunga’s Brazil to expose the limitations of England’s defense, while Spain trumps Germany in a rugged repeat of the Euro 2008 final.

Brazil defeats England
Spain defeats Germany

Final prediction

Spain’s momentum continues as the two top sides on the planet scrap it out for the trophy at Soccer City. The Spanish squad is packed with quality all the way through and has an unshakable belief in its ability. Expect Spain to dominate the midfield with Xavi and Iniesta and for Fernando Torres to strike the only goal of the game.

Spain defeats Brazil