Jumat, 11 Juni 2010
2010 South Africa World Cup Predictions
Nickname: BafanaBafana (The Boys)
Number of World Cup appearances: 2
Best World Cup finish: First Round (1998, 2002)
Team Breakdown
2010 marks the first World Cup held on African soil and the magnitude of that statement couldn’t be any stronger in terms of the pressure that it places on the shoulders of the hosts. But before you all but count out this relatively unknown team, know that no host nation has ever failed to advance past the group stage. It certainly won’t be easy with regulars France and Mexico amongst their quartet in Group A, not to mention upstart Uruguay.Also consider the valuable experience BafanaBafana gained this past summer in the Confederations Cup, eventually falling to Brazil in the semi-finals and to Spain in the third-place game.
Coach Brazilian Carlos Alberto Parreira, who captured World Cup glory in 1994 with his home country, has the blueprint for success and many feel he is the man to carry this rapidly improving football nation to heights never seen before on the world’s stage.
2010 South Africa World Cup Odds
South Africa is currently 100/1 odds to win the World Cup.
6/1 odds to win Group A.
Key Player To Watch
If you watched any of last year’s Confederations Cup or follow England’s Premiership, South Africa will rely heavily on midfielder Steven Pienaar. The 27-year-old has made his name for EPL side Everton and playing in the world’s best domestic league has prepared him well for the talent on display this summer. This winger has great pace up and down the pitch and he can really keep opposing defenses on their toes with his ability to navigate with his skillful dribbling.
Best Team Asset
South Africa knows they lack the talent on paper shown by most of the countries in this tournament. However, not just the country of South Africa but the entire continent will give them a piece of their heart. And you can count on thevuvuzelas (noise-making trumpet that will collectively engulf stadiums with the sound of a swarm of bees) to be out in full force and in the hands of every local rooting on The Boys.
Key Team Weakness
The host lacks the explosiveness that most of the favorites and world powers bring to the table. And unlike Greece, for example, who was able to dumb down play when they shocked Euro 2004 to win the tournament as similar type underdogs, South Africa will not drop back in a shell and play ‘ugly’ defensive football. Their stubbornness, for lack of a better word, will allow for goal-scoring chances but will also fail to stop the counterattacking they will see from the best football nations on the globe.
South Africa World Cup Predictions
With all that is on the line, it really is too much to ask for South Africa to win Group A. France is likely to find the top spot, but I do see a win during group play for the hosts, and considering the shaky nature of Mexico during qualifying, not to mention the unknown of wildcard Uruguay, a spot in the final 16 is absolutely obtainable and if accomplished would be considered a great success.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
No doubt, if you want to jump on the host nation, do it in the opener. You can’t place enough emphasis on how big this first game will be for South Africa. The whole continent will be following and backing this underdog side, and considering that no host nation has failed to make it to at least the Round of 16, a fast start with a very winnable game v. Mexico on June 11 is the way to go for Bafana Bafana.
South Africa World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Mexico, June 11, 2010 – 10 a.m. ETat Soccer City (Johannesburg)
v. Uruguay, June 16, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ETat Loftus Versfeld (Tshwane/Pretoria)
v. France, June 22, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Free State (Mangaung/Bloemfontein)
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2010 Uruguay World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Charrúas
Number of World Cup appearances: 10
Best World Cup finish: Winners (1930, 1950)
Team Breakdown
When you think of World Cup past winners from South America, Uruguay isn’t the country that first comes to mind. Brazil? Absolutely. Argentina? Yes sir. But Uruguay has won soccer’s most glorious trophy multiple times as well. And while 1930 and 1950 seem like ages ago, there is reason for optimism for this widely forgotten football nation. Uruguay is battle tested if nothing else. They knocked out Puerto Rico in a two-match playoff during the final stage of the qualifying process for the last World Cup bid for a country from North America, Central America or South America.
Japan and South Korea in 2002 was their most recent World Cup appearance, but their last four attempts have all been group stages exits. Uruguay is the wildcard of Group A.
Uruguay 2010 World Cup Odds
Uruguay is currently 100/1 to win the World Cup.
They are 4/1 to win Group A.
Key Player To Watch
Diego Forlán is a fabulous player and one of the best in the tournament that most people don’t know. In fact, he is on my shortlist of players that I want to see play the most and a star that can single-handedly carry a team into the knockout stages. Starring for Spain’s Atletico Madrid, the Montevideo-born striker led his team with seven goals during qualifying and is a treat to watch up front. Despite his 5-foot-10, 165 lb frame, he is a gifted athlete and in superb physical shape. Watch out. Come July the world will know Diego Forlán.
Best Team Asset
Did I mention Uruguay has a player by the name of Diego Forlán? Well their talisman will need to shine and work well with fellow playmakers Luis Suarez and captain Diego Lugano. If this three-headed monster can consistently put pressure up front and in the box, good things will come. With this trio, Uruguay has star power.
Key Team Weakness
The mental game. They haven’t won since 1950 and not since 1970 have they advanced past the group stage. Those are just several of the comments and criticisms this team will hear heading to South Africa. Until they prove they can yet again break through on the world’s stage, doubts will be there.
Uruguay World Cup Predictions
They are in the weakest group in my opinion, so that is a plus. I wouldn’t be shocked if they beat either France or Mexico. With that said I also wouldn’t blink if South Africa beat them and they didn’t muster a whole lot during the group stage. Their offensive prowess should see them net some goals, win or lose, and I place them second behind France as the runners-up in Group A.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
Uruguay won’t get much love from the oddsmakers, but not necessarily because they lack talent or the talent to win. They are naturally in the shadow of fellow South American teams, so value will be there. For instance, you won’t find odds in their first game against France any lower than +200 or so. That might be a too tough a task with their first World Cup game in eight years. Their second matchup June 16 v. South Africa is a different story. Depending on the South Africans result in their first match-up, I would definitely lean towards Uruguay. If South Africa wins, Uruguay will have good value on a price to win. If South Africa is 0-1 coming into this game, perhaps too much pressure will be on them not to have consecutive losses. Look at Uruguay here.
Uruguay World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. France, June 11, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Green Point (Cape Town)
v. South Africa, June 16, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Loftus Versfeld (Tshwane/Pretoria)
v. Mexico, June 22, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
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2010 Mexico World Cup Predictions
Nickname: El Tri
Number of World Cup appearances: 14
Best World Cup finish: Quarterfinals (1970, 1986)
Team Breakdown
Outside of Argentina, perhaps no team in any qualifying region was more up and down than Mexico. They still finished second in CONCACAF behind the United States, and it took them three different coaches throughout the process to make it. Hugo Sánchez was fired after failing to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, only to see former England head man Sven-Göran Erikson coach for just 13 games, losing six times. Taking over amidst much disarray, current boss Javier Aguirre jumped in to salvage the campaign and has them ready for this summer.Mexico’s best finish in this tournament was twice making it to the quarterfinals, however both times were on home soil. Outside of that this tradition-rich football nation has much to prove if they wish to find success across the ocean in South Africa.The pedigree is there for this World Cup regular, now they need to validate themselves away from the dominance they have become known for at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.
2010 World Cup Odds
Mexico is currently 80/1 to win the World Cup.
They are 7/2 to win Group A.
Key Player To Watch
While 36-year-old Cuauhtemoc Blanco is still the straw that stirs the drink up front for El Tri, Mexico’s young trio of Carlos Vela and Giovani dos Santos, both 21, and Andrés Guardado, 23, is sure to turn some heads in June. Unlike the majority of their team, this young core all play in Europe’s best domestic leagues and are seeing firsthand the quality of the world’s best players. The jury is still out on whether these young players will shine in the summertime, but these guys must grow up quick if Mexico has hopes of the final 16.
Best Team Asset
The biggest thing going for Mexico is its ability for a preemptive strike right off the bat in group play. Due to their major inconsistencies in qualifying and a revolving door of sorts for the head coaching position, Mexico is not a country that’s name is going to be thrown around as a contender. They begin their World Cup campaign with the hosts, South Africa, and if they can fire quickly out of the gate and earn three points, a possible dark horse could emerge.
Key Team Weakness
Goalkeeper. Oswaldo Sánchez, who was the starting keeper for Mexico in the 2006 World Cup and part of three different World Cup teams, is now 36 years old. And despite being named to several friendly matches this year, he is not likely to feature for Mexico this time around, if even be named to the final 23-man squad. His 99 caps for country represent his experience and leadership. Without him another man between the posts will have to emerge.
Mexico World Cup Predictions
Mexico is probably pegged second behind France in terms of teams expected to advance past the group stage. But I think Uruguay has shown more in the last year or so and are actually the second favorite team betting wise to win Group A. Every game for Mexico is a possible three points or nothing. That’s how much this team can either flourish or flop. I say they will see another foreign-based World Cup end after the group stage.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
As mentioned above, this Mexican side is tough to figure out. Just when they seem ripe for a good wager, they flop. When they are written off, they fire back strong. You can get a value bet on them in their opener against South Africa, but you are playing with fire it you bet against South Africa in their first match and World Cup opener. I would say their group play finale, June 22 v. Uruguay, is the best outlook for a victory. Because if they can’t muster a win against the hosts and then fail against favorite France, this match-up against the South Americans could be a chance to save face and make sure they don’t come away empty handed. Again, too tough to commit to anything for Mexico, but the wait and see approach might be best served for this team.
Mexico World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. South Africa, June 11, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Soccer City (Johannesburg)
v. France, June 17, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Peter Mokaba (Polokwane)
v. Uruguay, June 22, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
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2010 France World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Les Bleus
Number of World Cup appearances: 12
Best World Cup finish: Winners (1998)
Team Breakdown
When June rolls around every soccer fan will know the name of Frenchman Thierry Henry, and not necessarily because of his great skill. Henry’s notorious handball was against Ireland in the second of a two-match playoff for Europe’s last spot in the World Cup. That play essentially gift wrapped France’s entry into the tournament and was undoubtedly the touch heard around the world that would spark endless debate about a possible replay of the match or another scenario.Well, France is in and Ireland is left home. Now France has the opportunity to silent cynics. They flopped in Euro 2008, but in 2006 they rallied around veteran Zinedine Zidane to reach the World Cup Final in Germany. This time around the same savvy leadership resides amongst the aforementioned Henry, as well as vets Patrick Vieira and William Gallas. But the old dogs are running with some young horses in the French stables. The likes of Yoann Gourcuff, Franck Ribery, Karim Benzema and their best pure scorer in Nicolas Anelka give them as much talent as anyone in this tournament.
Based on the manner in which the earned a ticket to South Africa, one would have only thought it would only be fair for the French to be stuck in the ‘Group of Death.’ That wasn’t the case, and France dodged another bullet by drawing the weakest of the seeded nations by being place alongside host South Africa. On paper the knockout round seems all but assured, but karma could be waiting on the back end for France to be ousted early for their ‘thief in the night’ type of victory over the Irish.
France World Cup Odds
France is currently 14/1 odds to win the World Cup.
They are 1/1 favorites to win Group A.
Key Player To Watch
France has talent across the board, but for my money the young Yoann Gourcuff will make his name on the international stage this summer. The Bordeaux midfielder has flourished in France’s Ligue 1 over the past couple seasons and has only begun to dabble in his potential for greatness. Only 23 years old, he appeared in nine games during the World Cup qualifying process and tallied one goal and five assists for his country. He has a touch for goal, but his skillset is best served for playmaking and setting up others in the build-up for attacks. And considering the number of capable finishers for France this summer, he should have plenty of chances to impress.
Best Team Asset
Depth. France doesn’t just have a lethal starting 11, but they will carry bench players that could start for most countries. And these footballers have been playing in Europe’s best domestic leagues to prep for the competition they will see this summer. Their versatility up front in the form of strikers Nicolas Anelka, Karim Benzema, as well as Henry and key reserves Sidney Govou and Andre Pierre Gignac will give coach Raymond Domenech an array of options to choose from each match.
Key Team Weakness
With defensive midfielder Claude Makelele having retired from international play, and Patrick Vieira still not guaranteed a spot in the starting line-up, there remains a big question as to the strength of the midfield defensively. Offense isn’t a concern, but the lack of a mainstay holding midfielder to work with the back four and keep opposing goal-scoring chances at a minimum is a concern from my vantage point.
France World Cup Predictions
Based on the number of countries that could reign as World Cup champions in 2010, France probably isn’t in the five or six most expected to compete for the crown as world’s best. But France always has high expectations, and considering this is their fourth straight tournament, the round of 16 seems to be a minimum exit point. Certainly anything is possible if the French can hold serve and make it to the knockout round, but my best guess would be for them to capture Group A and exit stage left soon there after.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
The French are going to be favored in all three of their group play matches, but a spot where backers can likely find a line that isn’t too inflated is their second match on June, 17 v. Mexico. If both France and Mexico are able to come away with three points in their opener, then this matchup would dictate the Group A winner. And not that France can’t be upset here, but a quick start to their campaign, unlike in qualifying, could be huge for their confidence and perhaps create a sleeping giant in the tournament. After all, they did rally all the way to the Final in 2006.
France World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Uruguay, June 11, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Green Point (Cape Town)
v. Mexico, June 17, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Peter Mokaba (Polokwane)
v. South Africa, June 22, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Free State (Mangaung/Bloemfontein)
Doc’s Sports is your ultimate, one stop source for everything 2010 World Cup. Our results below from the last two major international soccer tournaments clearly state we are premier capper in the world when it comes to the world’s game.
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