World Cup 2014 Brazil Group H

Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia, Korea Republic

The Belgian team is currently a golden generation. The "Rode Duivels" were absent the last two World Cups, but this time, they are stronger than ever before. Youngsters Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard (both Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Everton) and Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United) are some very talented and young, none of them is over 23 years old, midfielders and forwards. With a steady and experienced defense with ie bodybuilder look-a-like Vincent Kompany, Belgium might be as succesful as they were in 1986, when they reached the semifinals in Mexico.

At the three World Cups Algeria managed to qualify for, they never reached the round of sixteen and I don't think they will now. Valencia midfielder Sofiane Feghouli is probably the best player of the team. He reached the semifinal of the Europa League with Valencia, but Feghouli has been in a bad form for most of the season. He wont help "The Fennec Foxes" to the round of sixteen.

Russia is said to have a great team spirit. Although one has to be careful with any Russian information, I think it's right, because all players of the squad play in the Russian Premier League. Russia doesn't have word class players, but attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev is only 22 years old and very talented. The average age is one of the highest in the World Cup, so "Sbornaya" won't lack experience. Overall, I think Russia will reach the round of sixteen.

South Korea is so far the only Asian team to have reached the semi finals at a World Cup, but there's pretty much no chance this will happen again. "The Red Warriors" mostly rely on forward Son Heung-Min (Bayer Leverkussen), Park Chu-Young (Arsenal) and Ji Dong-Won (Borrusia Dortmund). Their midfield and defense, however, isn't World Cup worthy. If the strikers manage to do a great job, South Korea will have to compete with Russia for the second place in the group.

My expectation:

1. Belgium

2. Russia

3. South Korea

4. Algeria

World Cup 2014 Brazil Group G

Group G: Germany, Portugal, Ghana, United States

Germany is always one of the favourites for the World Cup, and this time they surely are again. Manuel Neuer is one of the best goal keepers in the world. Especially Germany's midfield is world class. Mario Götze, Toni Kroos, Mesut Özil and Bastian Schweinsteiger are just four of the great German midfielders. The only thing "Die Mannschaft" really needs is a striker. The 35-year old Miroslav Klose is the only real forward in the World Cup squad. I'm afraid this will cause some problems, but I still think Germany will win the World Cup.

The second best team is this group is Portugal. Super star Cristiano Ronaldo is currently in a great form. He broke the all-time record of most goals scored in a Europa Cup I/ Champions League season (17) and he won the Champions League with Real Madrid. With a player like that, "A Selecao" will most likely reach the round of sixteen.

Probably the best African team is Ghana. The "Black Stars" almost reached the semifinals at the World Cup 2010, but they missed a penalty deep into extra time and in the penalty shoot-out, they were beaten by Uruguay. Captain Asamoah Gyan, midfielder Michael Essien and and defender Sulley Muntari are some players Ghana relies on, but the real stars are Kwadwo Asamoah and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Asamoah has had a great season with Juventus, so maybe he can hold his form till the World Cup.

Football is one of the few sports the United States don't rule. Nevertheless, "The Stars and Stripes" have been present at the World Cups since 1990. Captain Clint Dempsey is one of the most experienced and probably best player in the squad. Together with defender DaMarcus Beasly and supertalent Julian Green, Dempsey will have to surprise everyone if the USA wants to reach the round of sixteen.

My expectation: 
1. Germany (winning chance 40%)
2. Portugal
3. Ghana
4. United States

World Cup 2014 Brazil Group F

Group F: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria

By far the best team in this group is Argentina. Lionel Messi, Sergio Agüero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel di Maria and Ezequiel Lavezzi (the so-called Big Five) are five of the best forwards in the world. Carlos Tevez is another great striker, but he has a bad relationship with coach Alejandro Sabella, so he is hasn't played for Argentina since 2011. Javier Mascherano, Ezequiel Garay and Martin Demichelis are other experienced defenders/midfielders. "La Albiceleste" will not have any trouble finishing first in this group. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina debuts in this World Cup. Since their split-up from Yugoslavia in 1992, "The Dragons" have never been present at a World Cup, so this is tournament for them. Midfielder Miralem Pjanic and forward Edin Dzeko are the stars, but midfielder Zvjezdan Misimevic, defender Emir Spahic and striker Vedad Ibisevic are experienced and very important players. In this weak group, Bosnia and Herzegovina might surprise themselfves and reach the round of sixteen.

Despite the non-football culture, it's the fourth time for Iran to be present at a World Cup. "Sahzadegane Parsi" never reached further than the group stage, and it's not likely that they will this year. Most of the players play in the highest division in Iran and only Daniel Davari and Ashkan Dejagah play in European top competitions. At least Irans participation will give football some attention over there.

Nigeria has always had international stars, but they never reached further than the round of sixteen. The average level of the players is often too low. John Obi Mikel is a very  skillful an for his age experienced midfielder, but Nigeria lacks other stars. Midfielder Ogenyi Onaze an former VVV-Venlo forward Ahmed Musa are very talented players, but unable to lead "The Super Eagles" at a World Cup. Nigeria will have to compete with Bosnia and Herzegovina for the round of sixteen.

My expectation:
1. Argentina 
2. Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Nigeria 
4. Iran

World Cup 2014 Brazil Group E

Group E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras

Switzerland is the surprising group leader of Group E. The "Schweizer Nati" held the 8st place at the FIFA ranking, just before Holland, that made them group leader. Stephan Lichtsteiner and midfielder Gökhan Inler are the best players, but Xherdan Shaqiri is a very talented winger and could be the next superstar. The only problem for him is the lack of matches he plays with Bayern München. Switzerland might surprisingly reach the quarter finals.

Ecuador has only been present at the World Cups twice, in 2002 and 2006 and they never reached further than the round of 16. Only Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia plays in a top competion, the Premier League, so "La Tri" are not likely to reach any further. The 1-1 draw against current runner-up Holland last week doesn't actually mean they still have chances, it only shows the terrible level and form of the Dutch team.

The national team of France has been in the news a few weeks ago because Samir Nasri was clearly not happy that he wasn't in the World Cup squad. Around the World Cup 2014, similar disturbances led to a very bad performance. If Franck Ribery, Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema and the other stars can bring the calmness back to "Les Bleus", France might be an outsider for the World Cup.

Honduras is one of the weakest teams in this World Cup. "Los Catrachos" mostly rely on the experienced defenders Emilio Izaguirre and Maynor Figueroa and midfielder Wilson Palacios, all playing in the UK. Carlo Costly is the only forward whose skills may be sufficient for an international tournament. Overall, I think Honduras lacks creative players who can bring extra power when they need it, which will be very often.

My expectation:
1. France
2. Switzerland
3. Ecuador
4. Honduras

World Cup 2014 Brazil Group D

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, England, Italy

Uruguay is the leader of the "group of death". In a double match against Jordan, Uruguay was the last team to qualify for the World Cup. Nevertheless, "La Celeste" is an outsider (or even more) for the World Cup. Luis Suarez (Liverpool) and Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint Germain) are two of the best forwards in the world. Suarez is currently the top scorer in the Premier League with 30 goals. If he can keep playing like this at the World Cup, Uruguay might reach the semifinal or so, like in 2010.

The weakest team of this group is Costa Rica. This is the fourth time "Los Ticos" have qualified for a World Cup, 2006 was the last time Costa Rica was present, in Germany. Joel Campbell is a very talented player, who has played 30 caps at the age of 21. He is contracted by Arsenal, but is loaned to the Greek Champions League participant Olympiakos. Bryan Ruiz, whom PSV loaned for half a year, is the other top player for Costa Rica. I don't think Costa Rica will manage to reach the round of sixteen.

England is one of the three teams that could reach the round of sixteen in this group.
"The Three Lions" rely on the experience of captain Steven Gerrard and co-captain Frank Lampard, but England has more world class players. Wayne Rooney is probably the most important player. Unlike most other teams, nearly all of the players play in their own Premier League. From all players that were called up in the last year, Jermain Defoe is the only one that doesn't play in the UK.

The last team in Group D is Italy. Along with goalkeeper Gianluige Buffon and forward Mario Balotelli, the midfielders are the strongest weapon. Andrea Pirlo, Daniele de Rossi and Marco Verratti are some of the players that will have to lead the "Azzurri" to the victory. Especcialy Verratti is very talented. He plays most of the matches for Paris Saint Germain, the French team that reached the quarter finals in the UEFA Champions Leaugue this year. I think Italy will reach to the semifinals at least.

My expectation:
1. Italy (winning chance 10%)
2. Uruguay
3. England
4. Costa Rica

World Cup 2014 Brazil Group C

Group C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan 

Colombia is one of the four South American group leaders in this World Cup. The last time Colombia has participated in a World Cup was in 1998 in France. The current team is considered a golden generation. Back/winger Pablo Armero, defender Cristian Zapata, midfielder Freddy Guarin and forward Radamel Falcao are some of the Colombian stars. "Los Cafeteros" will not have much trouble finishing at the first place in this group.

After winning the UEFA European Championship, Greece didn't manage to keep playing that well. Their World Cup in South Africa ended after the group stage. In my opinion, Greece is the weakest team of this group. The most players that won the European Championship in 2004 are getting old, so experience won't be a problem, but Greece lacks some young enthusiastic players to inspire the others. "Piratiko" will most likely not be able to reach the round of sixteen.

The success of Ivory Coast depends on their forwards: Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou and Gervinho are the top players of "The Elephants". However, their team has other talented players. Serge Aurier and Wilfried Bony are members of the next generation internationals. Ivory Coast's team is a bit underrated, I think they can do well on this World Cup.They will have to compete with Japan for the second place in this group.

The last team in this group is Japan. Being one of the best teams in Asia, Japan managed to qualify for all the World Cups since 1998. However, "Samurai Blue" never reached further than the round of sixteen. Yuto Nagatomo, Keisuke Honda and Shinji Kagawa are the best players of Japan. Especially Kagawa is a great, talented player. The Manchester United midfielder is an example of the next generation of Japanese players. The round of sixteen is probably the best Japan can get in this World Cup.

My expectation:
1.Colombia
2.Ivory Coast
3.Japan
4.Greece

World Cup 2014 Brazil Group B

Group B: Spain, The Netherlands, Chile, Australia

As the winner of the World Cup in South Africa, Spain's intention will be to repeat their success. Spain has a lot of world class players, so when it comes to individual skills, they are one of the best teams in the World Cup. The midfielders of "La Furia Roja" are excellent; Andrés Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas are the players that have to lead Spain to the victory with the world-famous tiqui-taca style. However, this tactic doesn't always work. That's why the actual Brazilian Diego Costa is the new hope when tiqui-taca isn't enough. The Atletico Madrid forward will receive his new Spanish passport within a few months and can make the team more aggressive when necessary. I think Spain has a 20% chance to win this World Cup.

The first match in this group is the final of the World Cup 2010. The Netherlands can finally avenge the lost final, although the Dutch team isn't as good as they were four years ago. Now, we have only two world class players: Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben. "Oranje" is currently in a gap between two generations of top players. Wesley Sneijder played fantastically in 2010, but is getting old. Maarten Stekelenburg and Dirk Kuijt are no longer what they used to be and Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Mark van Bommel are retired now. Overall, I think the Dutch will finish second in the group, behind Spain.

Chile is the third team in group B. "La Roja" are one of the outsiders in this World Cup, as many "experts" say. The key players are Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and FC Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez. Especially Sanchez knows the feeling of success. He was part of the FC Barcelona team in 2009 that won all six prices: Primera Division, Spanish Cup, Spanish Super Cup, Champions League, World Cup for clubs and European Super Cup. Chile is has to compete with Holland for the second place in the group.

Australia is presented at the World Cup for the third time in a row. The "Socceroos" usually don't have a lot of trouble qualifying for the World Cup, because of the lack of powerful opponents in Asia. Australia has no great players, but a physically good team. Their hope is that their opponent underestimate them, because then, the Aussies are lethal. However, Australia seems  to have no chance to get to the round of sixteen.

My expectation:
1. Spain (winning chance 20%)
2. The Netherlands
3. Chile
4. Australia