Jumat, 11 Juni 2010
2010 New Zealand World Cup Predictions
Nickname: All Whites
Number of World Cup appearances: 1
Best World Cup finish: Group stage (1982)
Team Breakdown
The All Whites of New Zealand are the exact definition of an unknown soccer entity coming into South Africa. Their lone World Cup appearance was 26 years ago, but the one connection to that team is their head coach Ricki Herbert, a player for his country in ’82. Talent is not overwhelming on this Kiwis team, and the reason that they were able to clinch a berth was because Australia left the Oceanic qualifying region and was placed in the more competitive Asian region.
But New Zealand does have backing from their entire nation, so while experience and world popularity might not be traits to associate with this football country, the loyal supporters are fully behind The All Whites to see if they can’t stir up a little underdog spirit in Group F.
2010 New Zealand World Cup Odds
New Zealand is currently listed at 1500/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 66/1 to win Group F.
Key Player To Watch
A good number of New Zealand internationals make their domestic living in the MLS or played in college in the States, but one key name is putting forth his skills to good use in the England Premiership. Ryan Nelson is getting time with Blackburn Rovers and was a big reason for their World Cup appearance with a strong effort in both matches during their play-off against Bahrain for the right to venture to South Africa this summer. No doubt his play will need to be at an all-time best if his side expects anything but three losses in June.
Best Team Asset
I don’t know if you can call this an asset, but with most of New Zealand’s players not spread out in Europe or the rest of the world’s top leagues, perhaps opposing teams won’t have a ton of tape or most accurate scouting reports on them. The World Cup makes every team scout thoroughly, but if there is one team to float under the radar below them all it’s New Zealand.
Key Team Weakness
Along with North Korea, New Zealand is by far the weakest team in the field. They don’t possess any game-changing offensive talents, maybe with the exception of the aforementioned Nelson, and you would be hard-pressed to see anything but three losses and the All Whites being overwhelmed in South Africa.
New Zealand World Cup Predictions
It should be considered a great achievement for New Zealand to have made it to the Finals this summer. But that is as far as it goes for the Kiwis. And while this group does have a chance with the three teams battling it out for the runners-up spot, I don’t see New Zealand finishing ahead of either Paraguay or Slovakia.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
Look at the ‘overs’ in the matches with the Kiwis. I think New Zealand is going to allow their fair share of goals, and falling behind is going to open the play and create even more scoring chances. Particularly eye the match v Paraguay on June 24.
New Zealand World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Slovakia, June 15, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
v. Italy, June 20, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Mbombela (Nelspruit)
v. Paraguay, June 24, 2010 – 10 a.m. at Peter Mokaba (Polokwane)
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2010 Slovakia World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Repre
Number of World Cup appearances: (As Czechoslovakia) 5
Best World Cup finish: (As Czechoslovakia) Runners-up (1934, 1962)
Team Breakdown
Any past success seen by this nation at the World Cup was as former Czechoslovakia. Now Slovakia has emerged from the shadow of the neighboring Czechs and also bested them in the qualifying group to advance to the Finals via winning UEFA’s Group Three. Czech Republic was left at home in third place and perhaps a new central European country has risen to the top as one to contend with this summer, and also in the future.Slovakia doesn’t wow anyone defensively but they boast a very methodical approach and bring a strong team game to the table. Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is the most known individual but even he isn’t a superstar by any means in world football.
The World Cup has been used to seeing a Czech Republic or Poland emerge as one of Central or Eastern Europe’s teams to find a spot in the Finals. Well, not this year. Slovakia has earned their spot and the relatively unknown status of this football nation could provide for some intrigue during group play.
2010 Slovakia World Cup Odds
Slovakia is currently listed at 200/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 13/2 to win Group F.
Key Player To Watch
One name to keep watch for is Marek Hamsik, midfielder for Napoli in Italy’s Serie A. At just 5-foot-11 and 161 pounds, the stature of this player isn’t going to have anyone writing home about his game from first sight. But at only 22 years of age he has tallied 28 goals in his first 100 games for club side and has netted eight goals in his first 30 caps for Slovakia. Attack-minded, Hamsik could be a key figure for country this summer.
Best Team Asset
You won’t find this team feeling any better about themselves after finishing first in their World Cup qualifying group. Well, they might top that feeling if Slovakia finds its way into the elimination round. But for now confidence is at the summit and that bodes well for them in a pretty weak overall group.
Key Team Weakness
Having allowed 10 goals in 10 matches as a first place group winner during qualification, that has to raise at least a couple of eyebrows. Now, Slovakia did play in a deep and competitive group, but the defensive efforts will need to be much stronger and their back line must be much tighter to keep the likes of Italy and Paraguay from consistent scoring chances.
Slovakia World Cup Predictions
I would absolutely give Slovakia a really good chance to advance. They are in the right group. Italy is the giant among this foursome, and no one is knocking them from their perch atop this quartet. Slovakia will battle with Paraguay for the other ticket to the round of 16, but as a whole the slight nod goes to the South American country and Slovakia falls just short.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
I would get on the ‘over’ v New Zealand on June 15 in Slovakia’s opener. The All Whites are best set up to win games 1-0, if they can win at all, because they don’t possess a lot of offense. But Slovakia isn’t a defensive stalwart by any means and if the European side can strike first, look for an open game the rest of the way and for this one to go ‘over’ with three or more goals.
Slovakia World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. New Zealand, June 15, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
v. Paraguay, June 20, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Free State (Mangaung/Bloemfontein)
v. Italy, June 24, 2010 – 10 a.m. at Ellis Park (Johannesburg)
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2010 Paraguay World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Guaraníes
Number of World Cup appearances: 8
Best World Cup finish: Second round (1986, 1998, 2002)
Team Breakdown
One of the biggest World Cup stories off the pitch is no doubt the tragedy behind star striker Salvador Cabanas being shot in the head in Mexico after a domestic game. What is even more mind-boggling is his amazing recovery, and in March he was jogging and taking kicks with his team. Miraculously, he might find his way to South Africa, and that is reason enough to make Paraguay a team to root for this summerCabanas was part of an exceptional duo with Roca Santa Cruz, and they possibly could still be, but for now that striking partnership has been put on hold and head coach Gerardo Martino will be searching for other options.
As a South American football nation not named Brazil or Argentina, it is definitely possible that most people are unaware this is now the Paraguayans’ fourth consecutive World Cup appearance. They actually finished ahead of Argentina in CONMEBOL (South America) qualifying and, despite not finishing no better than the second round in any one Finals, Paraguay has proven they are a very capable football side.
2010 Paraguay World Cup Odds
Paraguay is currently listed at 66/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 11/4 to win Group F.
Key Player To Watch
With the services of Salvador Canbanas still unknown, Roca Santa Cruz is the man that will have to rise to the occasion. While he hasn’t been able to find a spot in the first team for club side Manchester City in the EPL, he has been a constant in English football for a while now. However, not getting enough quality playing time has to be a big concern for his match fitness and level of play coming into this summer.
Best Team Asset
You don’t finish third in South American qualifying and not be as good as your play. Paraguay is legit, and their play leading up to South Africa will have them well versed in what is needed for success at the World Cup. And having taken part in the last three Finals, its players know the stage and won’t shy away from the big moment.
Key Team Weakness
The possible absence of Salvador Cabanas could leave Paraguay without a major weapon in their arsenal this summer. He was their leading goalscorer in qualifying, and the firepower of this team will take a hit without their hit man.
Paraguay World Cup Predictions
There is still enough to believe in that Paraguay can progress into the knockout stages. Italy is going to win this group, that is a given. But beyond that Paraguay has to feel good about being able to fight for the group’s second spot. I would give the South Americans the slight advantage over the lesser-experienced sides of Slovakia and New Zealand.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
Don’t try to be too cheeky and wager against the Italians in Paraguay’s opener. Despite the odds being as high as they are, the value isn’t there. Besides, a loss to Italy will leave them in must-win mode and then backing the Paraguayans to win against Slovakia and New Zealand in their next two games is a better scenario for your money.
Paraguay World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Italy, June 14, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Green Point (Cape Town)
v. Slovakia, June 20, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Free State (Mangaung/Bloemfontein)
v. New Zealand, June 24, 2010 – 10 a.m. at Peter Mokaba (Polokwane)
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2010 Italy World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Azzurri
Number of World Cup appearances: 16
Best World Cup finish: Winners (1934, 1938, 1982, 2006)
Team Breakdown
Italy is the reigning World Cup champion, and if nothing else that validates them as a potential contender this summer. However, the devil’s advocate will say this is hardly the same team that raised the trophy in Germany four years ago.In 2006 defender Fabio Cannavaro, one of the finest players in the world, led the Italians. He is still a first team player but long in the tooth and not the brilliant footballer he once was. The same goes for veterans Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso. Now let’s not get too down on these players, as Italy’s experience will outweigh most teams’ talent, not to mention even 75 percent of the skill the Italians had in 2006 will still be good enough on most days.
No champion goes down easy, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from head coach Marcello Lippi, the leader who coached his country to the title four years ago. He retired on top but signed back onafter his seeing his country’s disappointing Euro 2008 exit. Unable to replace him with a coach that could prove his worth, Lippi was an easy choice to bring back as the head man.
Italy must rely its younger talent to boost the savvy play of their old hands. Those like U.S.-born Giueseppe Rossi and Brazilian-born Amauri, who both chose Italy as their country to play for over their birth nation, will be keys to produce for the current holders.
2010 Italy World Cup Odds
Italy is currently listed at 11/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 1/2 favorites to win Group F.
Key Player To Watch
Gianluigi Buffon is still one of the world’s finest goalkeepers, and it is really hard to believe the Juventus man is just 32 years old. He has all the experience one could ask for from their keeper, boasting the World Cup title and European experience on his resume and he does well to consistently get the job done in the defensive-laden Serie A (Italy’s top domestic league). During his nation’s run to the 2006 World Cup championship, Buffon racked up a 453-minute scoreless streak.
Best Team Asset
Italy has experience and loads of it. This team has played in every type of scenario you could ask for, and at the top level internationally. The Italians play the one of the best domestic leagues in Europe (Serie A), and as a collective unit they are very technically sound. Definitely not the best individual talent, but Italy always meshes well and comes to play.
Key Team Weakness
As mentioned above, a major concern is the durability and reliability of the players that carried the load in 2006. This team is still extremely talented, but Italy cannot count on just its proven players. A youthful exuberance will need to be seen, and the good part about that is Italy has the depth for it to be a possibility.
Italy World Cup Predictions
The Italians are going to cruise from Group F. Italy is not one of the best five teams in the tournament but they have the easiest draw comparable to their talent. Neither Paraguay, New Zealand nor Slovakia have enough to crack the Italian defense enough to be considered a threat. I don’t think Italy will advance further than the Round of 16 or last eight at best, but as far as the group stage, that’s a lock.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
I’d jump on the Italians from their initial game. As defending champions Italy will want to quickly establish that they are not to be taken lightly and a convincing effort v. Paraguay on June 14 is a good place to start with the current holders. Things should be even easier after that, but a World Cup victory to open their campaign is a strong betting opportunity.
Italy World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Paraguay, June 14, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Green Point (Cape Town)
v. New Zealand, June 20, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Mbombela (Nelspruit)
v. Slovakia, June 24, 2010 – 10 a.m. at Ellis Park (Johannesburg)
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