Jumat, 11 Juni 2010
2010 Australia World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Socceroos
Number of World Cup appearances: 2
Best World Cup finish: Second round (2006)
Team Breakdown
The Asian qualifying region was no match for Australia, and the Oceanic country steamrolled their way with a quick confirmation they would be in South Africa in 2010.Australia’s 2006 World Cup appearance was the only one of its kind in the team’s history, however it wasn’t without some drama. First, the Socceroos advanced to the Round of 16 despite no one expecting anything from them. Secondly, they were bounced via some major controversy when Italy’s star Francesco Totti was awarded a bogus, napkin-soft penalty in the final minutes with the game tied, leading to the game-winning score. Albeit a totally unfair way to leave the tournament, Australia earned the respect from the field and that run four years ago is something that will no doubt be called upon this June in the hopes of again playing the role of the underdog.
2010 Australia World Cup Odds
Australia is currently listed at 100/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 9/1 to win Group D.
Key Player To Watch
Everton’s Tim Cahill has not only established himself as a name in England’s Premier League, but he is the most reliable weapon for his national side. Cahill scored twice for Australia in their thrilling WC victory against Japan in 2006 and his play on both levels has made him a world-class player and someone to keep your eye on in South Africa.
Best Team Asset
The best thing going for Australia is, despite their success in 2006, again no one expects them to duplicate moving past the group stage. This allows them to grab the underdog role and run with it, playing free with the sense that anything is possible because no expectations are there.
Key Team Weakness
The Aussies will have to deal with the fact that they are the least explosive offensive side in Group D. Germany and Ghana blow them away on paper, and even Serbia possesses talent that gives them a better shot this summer. Now that doesn’t necessarily dictate results, as seen in 2006, but it really will be too tough with this much deeper group than last time around.
Australia World Cup Predictions
Australia shook off naysayers and did the impossible by advancing out of group play in 2006 when they made their first-ever World Cup appearance. That, however, is going to be awfully difficult to make happen again. Not only is Germany a lethal side as the quartet favorite, but Ghana and Serbia make this foursome a landmine to navigate through and likely leaves Australia as the bottom feeders as an encore performance.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
If you are looking for an underdog with skill but also a lot of betting value, look no further than down under. Australia can be found at around +500 to win against Germany, but that would be ambitious, to say that least. If you still want to wager on the Aussies but want a more realistic bet, look at the ‘over’ when they face Germany on June 13. Australia is capable of pushing forward with some success against the Germans, and we know Germany, itself, will fire with full forces on the Australian defense. The ‘over’ is a good bet to hone in on come their group play opener.
Australia World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Germany, June 13, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Durban (Durban)
v. Ghana, June 19, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
v. Serbia, June 23, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Mbombela (Nelspruit)
Read more...
2010 Ghana World Cup Predictions
Nickname: The Black Stars
Number of World Cup appearances: 1
Best World Cup finish: Second round (2006)
Team Breakdown
Ghana’s lone World Cup appearance was a major success, as the 2006 debutants were the Cinderella of the tournament in Germany. Faced with an extremely difficult task in a group that featured Italy, Czech Republic and the United States, the Ghanaians met the challenge head on, finishing ahead of the Czechs and the USA. The West African nation advanced to the Round of 16, but met mighty Brazil and was unable to continue its magical run.Ghana is one of Africa’s most successful football nations, having participated at both the Olympic level and also in the Africa Cup of Nations, and thus the expectations have grown from within to find at least a similar outcome if not more this summer in 2010.
Behind a handful of wonderful players, Ghana is no longer considered just a regional name. Across the globe, the respect this country earned in 2006 will certainly mean all 31 nations in South Africa will hear their footsteps this time around.
The Black Stars cruised through their qualifying group and coupled with the fact that they will play on African soil, more than ever the confidence is there that Ghana can again progress out of the group round and find a win or two in the knockout stages.
2010 Ghana World Cup Odds
Ghana is currently listed at 50/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 5/1 to win Group D.
Key Player To Watch
Never just a one-man squad, Ghana is extremely dangerous with their versatility and pace. And the name that is most recognized throughout the world as one of the best midfielders is Michael Essien. His brilliance can be witnessed at Stanford Bridge with Chelsea. However, the combination of him along with Sulley Muntari (of Inter Milan) and Stephen Appiah (of Bologna) make this group so much more lethal.
Best Team Asset
Ghana is an extremely confident side, almost more than they should be. But that works in a positive manner. During their 2006 World Cup push, before they had accomplished anything, they were not one bit afraid of an Italy or Czech Republic but knew that if they came to play and were hitting on all cylinders, they could beat anyone in the world. And they can beat anyone in the world. Their self-belief is very impressive to see play out on the field.
Key Team Weakness
The Group of Death involves Group G’s trio of Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal, however many, including myself, feel Group D is the second toughest quartet. And Ghana’s weakness might be that they again are stuck into a very tough group to navigate through. Along with European power Germany, Australia, who also seized the moment in 2006 with their impressive debut, and up-and-coming Serbia will no doubt be fierce opponents.
Ghana World Cup Predictions
As mentioned above, this might just be the trickiest group to advance out of. Group G gets the ‘Group of Death’ moniker, but unlike having a minnow in North Korea, not one Group D team is weak. Any two of the four could advance, and the fact that each hail from different regions makes it even more exciting to see different styles of football from each of the four. Ghana gets the nod in my eyes to advance with Germany, but do not be surprised if The Black Stars fight hard for the top spot. After reaching the Round of 16 in 2006, the sky is the limit in South Africa.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
I think Ghana benefits from getting Germany in their last group play match. So if the African nation can fire hot out of the gates against Serbia on June 13, then expect a good showing the rest of the way. Ghana advanced in 2006 in spite of a 0-2 loss to Italy in their opener, so this time around I expect them to begin the tournament strong. Look at the Ghanaians in their first match.
Ghana World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Serbia, June 13, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Loftus Versfeld (Tshwane/Pretoria)
v. Australia, June 19, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
v. Germany, June 23, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Soccer City (Johannesburg)
Read more...
2010 Serbia World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Beli Orlovi(White Eagles)
Number of World Cup appearances: (As Yugoslavia) 9 (As Serbia and Montenegro) 1
Best World Cup finish: (As Yugoslavia) Fourth (1962)
Team Breakdown
2010 marks the country’s first World Cup appearance as a total independent nation. First they were Yugoslavia and in 2006 they qualified as Serbia and Montenegro. And it only seems fitting this team is playing under their own name this time around, as Serbia has a wealth of experience and some extremely talented pieces playing throughout Europe’s top flight domestic leagues.Granted, Group D is a mountain to climb in itself, but the White Eagles are more than capable of advancing into the knockout stages. This Serbia team finished ahead of France in their UEFA qualifying region, as well as on top of Romania and Austria. Their 22 goals in just 10 matches tells the story that this team can be a progressively strong unit in attack, but the eight goals allowed speak even louder that their defense is the key to their success.
2010 Serbia World Cup Odds
Serbia is currently listed at 50/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 10/1 to win Group D.
Key Player To Watch
Look at Serbia’s talented trio of Manchester United star defender Nemanja Vidic, Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic and Standard Liège striker Milan Jovanovic. All full of talent and experience, they lead this Serbian side and do well to represent their respective thirds of the field in their own way.
Best Team Asset
Having beat out France for first in their qualifying group, that result oozes confidence for this summer in South Africa. If they can do it against France, they can do it against Germany and Ghana. Serbia is a very exceptional defensive team and that will be a plus when facing the aforementioned Germans and Ghanaians right off the bat in their first two group play games.
Key Team Weakness
Not necessarily a weakness, but the depth and overall toughness of Group D doesn’t leave room for any errors. Serbia did top Group Seven in qualifying but only by a single point. They might not have that same luxury to grind out a top spot with only three games to make an impression. Serbia’s best effort is a must throughout the group stage if they want to advance.
Serbia World Cup Predictions
I do think Serbia will do well against Germany and Ghana and produce competitive games, but in the end I think they were drawn in quartet that is immensely difficult to advance out of and into the Round of 16. Serbia will be one of the best teams to be left out after the group stage is complete.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
I’d look at the ‘under’ v Ghana on June 13. Serbia knows they don’t match up well against the West African nation, and the same goes with Germany in an up-and-down paced match. Serbia is best served to win matches 1-0 and let their defense shine. Give the ‘under’ some consideration in their group play opener.
Serbia World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Ghana, June 13, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Loftus Versfeld (Tshwane/Pretoria)
v. Germany, June 18, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth)
v. Australia, June 23, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Mbombela (Nelspruit)
Read more...
2010 Germany World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Die Mannschaft/ Die DFB-Elf (The Team)
Number of World Cup appearances: (As East Germany) 1 (As West Germany) 10 (As Germany) 6
Best World Cup finish: (As West Germany) Winners (1954, 1974, 1990)
Team Breakdown
Germany has advanced to at least the quarterfinal stage in each of the last four World Cups. From 1994 to 2006 they have proven their worth as one of the more accomplished and consistent football nations in the world.2006’s finish was a big hit, wrapping up their time as the host country with a third-place finish. Four years later a bit different look is shaping up for the Germans. Key holdovers like Miroslav Klose and Bastian Schweinsteiger are still focal points with the first team and quite dominant throughout European domestic football. But they will call upon newer, less experienced players to help combine with their already veteran-like presence in hopes of duplicating another strong World Cup push. Captain Michael Ballack was injured in the FA Cup Final vs. Portsmouth and is out for South Africa.
Strike Mario Gomez, 25, and midfielder Marko Marin, 21, are two young guns that can expect their roles to be big at the Finals this summer. Germany’s rising stars list begin with the aforementioned duo and they undoubtedly add more firepower to assist in attack.
2010 Germany World Cup Odds
Germany is currently listed at 12/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 8/11 favorites to win Group D.
Key Player To Watch
As mentioned above, Bastian Schweinsteiger is a key member of Germany’s offense, and personally one of my favorite players in all the world to watch play. He was only 21 during the 2006 World Cup and played in all seven games for his country, netting two goals and three assists. Quite possibly one of the most explosive wingers in the game right now, and certainly one of the more athletic, Schweinsteiger boasts a big time foot that is best optioned for long-ranged strikes. He is also versatile enough to play in the center at times. His uncapped amounts of energy make him extremely dangerous for opponents.
Best Team Asset
Pedigree. Outside of Brazil, no one has done it better than Germany. Their long history of experience at the World Cup and as well as their long record of success at the top world tournament will only further promote the confidence this side brings to South Africa. Every German footballer knows this team is capable of raising the trophy, as seen in the past by their three championships already in the books. No matter how many teams are favored ahead of Germany, never write this team off.
Key Team Weakness
Germany must find a consistent force in the net, not being able to count on the dominance seen by past keepers Oliver Kahn or Jens Lehman. Those two were as good as it got when they minded the posts for Germany on the international level. Whether it be a Rene Adler, Manuel Neuer or Tim Wiese, neither will have the experience nor perhaps the skill for the position, so that is a weakness that can be a potential concern.
Germany World Cup Predictions
Similar to the other football powers in the world, you can count on Germany being in the thick of things once the group play cloud blows over. Granted, this year’s team is not as talented as the ’06 version that finished in third as hosts. However, there is plenty of skill to gasp at and feel confident in and this team will be a major player in South Africa. That being said, it’d be in the Germans’ best interest to win Group D if they want to elongate their run and avoid potentially playing England in the Round of 16.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
Germany’s opener game v Australia on June 13 is a great chance to jump on the Germans to begin their campaign. Australia will be a huge underdog, but you can still catch Germany at -175 or -190 in this spot. They will overwhelm the Aussies and likely find their easiest match in a difficult group.
Germany World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Australia, June 13, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Durban (Durban)
v. Serbia, June 18, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth)
v. Ghana, June 23, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Soccer City (Johannesburg)
Read more...
