FIFA World Cup prediction.

Since we're very quickly discovering how good I am at making predictions I'll try and redeem myself by making predictions for the FIFA World Cup. I don't know international soccer as well as some sports, so that's my excuse if I have some weird predictions.


Group A
Brazil
Mexico
Croatia
Cameroon

Brazil is the easy choice to win group A. I expect a fairly tight battle between Mexico and Croatia to get the second spot, but in the end I think Mexico takes it.

Group B
Spain
Netherlands
Chile
Australia

A pretty tough group. Two really good teams, one good team, and a not so strong team. A lot of people expect Chile to surprise and maybe sneak into the second spot ahead of the Netherlands or Spain. I don't see it, but I do expect Chile to give it a good fight.

Group C
Greece
Colombia
Japan
Cote d'Ivoire

This is a wide open group. I'm thinking Greece will definitely be in,but among the other three it's a dog fight. This could be a really interesting group to watch come World Cup time. I think Colombia beats out the other two, but really this is anyone's pool

Group D
Uruguay
England
Costa Rica
Italy

This is a very tough pool to be in. I think Uruguay is the obvious choice to win this pool. You can never count England out of anything, so I'm thinking they'll be the second team in. Costa Rica could do something, but I think that's a bit of an outside chance and even thought they're a decent team, I think Italy is just plain over matched in this pool.

Group E
Switzerland
France
Honduras
Ecuador

One of the weaker groups in the World Cup this year. I think the Swiss should easily be the front runners here with their only major competition being France. Honduras and Ecuador can probably put up a fight, but I doubt they do well enough.

Group F
Argentina
Iran
Nigeria
Bosnia and Herzgovina

This is Argentina's pool to lose. They really don't have much competition here. I pick Iran to finish second, but realistically Argentina is the only team in this pool to have a chance of going anywhere.

Group G
Germany
Portugal
USA
Ghana

This years group of death. I take Germany to win the group and Portugal to finish a close second. However, in this group it's really hard to predict what will happen. Both the USA and Ghana have the potential to come and knock out Germany or Portugal. However, personally, I don't think it will happen.

Group H
Belgium
Russia
Algeria
Korea Republic

A middle of the road group difficulty, but also really hard to predict. However, I take Belgium and Russia because their soccer programs I think have shown the most progress over the years. Algeria and Korea will be some competition, but I don't think they'll be enough.


Round of 16
Brazil vs. Netherlands (49)
This will be an extremely interesting match up which could go either way. It would be extremely heart breaking for either of these teams to go out early. Just to let you know I don't really have a bias towards the Netherlands (or anyone in international soccer. Except Team Canada who does nothing). I think Brazil is just too good though. I pick Brazil

Greece vs. England (50)
One of the weaker round of 16 match ups. Greece is still up and coming and England isn't the powerhouse they once were. At the same time though I don't think you can ever count out England. I'll take England to win this one.

Switzerland vs. Iran (53)
Is there really any question here? Switzerland gets a huge mismatch here and should win fairly easily.

Germany vs. Russia (54)
An interesting match up for the Germans. Russia has made good improvements to their soccer team over the years, and they are getting ready to host in 2018. If they do anything this tournament that will be their biggest motivation. Despite this I still don't see it. I'm taking a strong German team to win.

Spain vs. Mexico (51)
Another mismatch. Mexico is a decently strong team, but I really don't see a way that they overcome Spain. I think they'll at least keep the game interesting, but they won't be able to win. Spain takes it.

Uruguay vs. Colombia (52)
It seems like the knockout stage creates either an extremely tough match up or a complete mismatch. This I think is another mismatch. I don't really see any way of Colombia winning this one. I'll take Uruguay.

Argentina vs. France (55)
I think France is a bit better than what they get credit for internationally. However, are they good enough to beat Argentina? The answer is no. Argentina wins this one and advances.

Belgium vs. Portugal (56)
Belgium has also made some pretty decent improvements to their squad. I don't see it being good enough to beat Portugal though. Portugal wins.

Quarterfinals
Switzerland vs. Germany (58)
This would be where Switzerland's run ends. They're a pretty good team, but I think Germany is a real team to watch out for this year and will compete with the best of them. I take Germany.

Brazil vs. England (57)
This for me is another fairly easy decision. England is a mediocre team this year and up to this point had a relatively easy path. They'll hang around with Brazil but won't be a serious threat, Brazil wins.

Argentina vs. Portugal (60)
This would be an extremely competitive game to watch. These are two teams both hoping to go deep to prove themselves among the powerhouses. I think Portugal has a bit more skill and depth than Argentina and I take them to win a thriller.

Spain vs. Uruguay (59)
This will be a really good game for Uruguay to see where they're at as a soccer team. If they can keep up with Spain they know they're headed in the right direction. I think Uruguay is able to win this game, but I don't think they will. It will be a tightly contested game with Spain coming up with it in the end.

Semifinals
Brazil vs. Germany (61)
A huge game. I think Germany is definitely a team to watch this year. It's quite possible Germany pulls off an upset and goes to the finals, but I don't think they will. I think Brazil wins and books their trip to the finals in Brazil.

Spain vs. Portugal (62)
I guess both these games are huge games to go to the finals. Portugal is a very strong soccer club, but I don't see them beating out Spain. This game will be another thriller, but I see Spain taking it in the end and playing Brazil in the finals.

Third Place
Germany vs. Portugal
Third place is nothing to sneeze at and for these teams to play for third will be huge for them. I think on paper Portugal is a stronger team than Germany. But I think Germany will be very determined to finish in a podium spot. I'll take Germany to win.

Finals
Brazil vs. Spain
Brazil is at home, but Spain is the defending champions. This would be a very tough match up if it were played in a neutral stadium. However, it won't be in a neutral stadium, it will be in Brazil. Obviously being the finals it will be a really good game, but I'm taking Brazil to win it at home.

If you care at all how the format works you can see it here, it will also explain why there's numbers beside some of the games.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_FIFA_World_Cup#Knockout_stage