World Cup Preview - Group By Group

Footie anyone?

Group A: France, Mexico, South Africa, Uruguay


This is an interesting group simply because the host nation, South Africa, resides in it. No host nation has ever failed to make it out of their group, but this year will be the first. The best bet to win the group will be France despite their struggles to qualify. They barely made it into the tournament, having had to rely on a well timed hand ball from Thierry Henry (pictured above in his youth with a glorious soup strainer). Mexico and Uruguay will fight for that second spot and I’ll take Uruguay on goal differential just because I hate Brock Martinez and all things Mexico when it comes to soccer.

Group B: Argentina, Greece, Nigeria, South Korea


Argentina will be the overwhelming favorites to win this group, and they will. Lionel Messi and the Argentinian attack is just too good, even if they have a madman for a manager (yes, that is Diego Maradona). For the runner-up in the group will likely be the winner of the South Korea and Greece game. Greece knows how to defend, but I have a good feeling about South Korea. Nigeria shouldn’t be overlooked, especially playing on their home continent, but they just don’t have the quality to advance.

Group C: Algeria, England, Slovenia, USA


When the draw came in for this group all of the English press dubbed this the “Group of Life.” I can’t disagree, England that the Yanks are the overwhelming favorites in this group. I like England to win the group, but only on goal differential. I think America (FUCK YEAH!) draw with England and then pick up another two wins. Plus I feel like Landon Donovan is a huge bro, so I guess that helps.

Group D: Australia, Germany, Ghana, Serbia


This is another easy group that Germany should run away with. Yeah, I know they just lost Michael Ballack to injury, but the rest of the group just kind of sucks. Ghana could have been a player but Michael Essien, their star midfielder, has been ruled out of the cup. Due to a lack of depth that makes the Aussies the default runner-up, mostly because I know absolutely nothing about Serbia.

I’ll get my predictions for groups E-H to y’all later.

MarcUM