World Cup Preview and First Round Game picks thread.....

Vanczak, great writeup although I disagee at many points along the way.  I guess that's why they play the games

Group A

Anybody could win and anyone could finish in last.  A total crapshoot.  One thing I disagree with you on is South Africa's point total.  They will not end at 0 and I would be willing to put every dollar in my account on that.  I also think France is not long for this tournament.  They shouldn't be here and I think they'll play like it

Group B

Not too many disagreements except that I see a handful of ties with defensive squads like Greece and South Korea.  You have every game ending in a win for one team.  Argentina should cruise but after that I think they are a disaster.  You have to have a coach that isn't a moron and the French & Argentines will suffer from this syndrome. 

Group C

I'm biased because I'm a US fan and will be going to all of their games but I also don't see them ending up on two points.  Algeria likely will get a draw at best.  I agree with you that England should win the group but will be finished quickly thereafter.  Just because the media hypes you doesn't mean you're any good.  There will be a lot of beer flowing to drown the sorrows in London come late June

Group D

Toss up - anyone can take this.  I like Serbia as do you.  I don't like Ghana now that Essien is toast.  I'm thinking something along the lines of 1) Serbia, 2) Germany, 3) Australia, 4) Ghana

Group E

No complaints about your order of finish but once again there will be a handful of draws in this group amonng the Danes, Cameroon and Japan.  I also think Holland will look great coming out of the group with 9 points, look like the best team in the tournament, and then lay an absolute stinker to knock themselves out in the quarters or semis (same as Euro '08)

Group F

I'd love to see the Italians be trumped for 1st by either Paraguay or Slovakia.  Somehow I think they pull it off but they are old and will fall in the round of 16, quarters at the latest.

Group G

It's a cryin' shame about Drogba, especially with the Cup in Africa.  I think his loss puts some separation between the Portuguese and Ivorians for 2nd place behind Brazil.

Group H

Switzerland has talen but they've been horrible lately.  I also think Chile is flat out better so I feel pretty secure that this will be Spain and Chile. 

Brazil wins it all

Portugal are playing worse than France in the last year...

I'm shocked none have learned their lesson w/ this team

The coach is lost and Cristiano is not big enough to do it by himself

First day wagers - June 11:

1.  South Africa / Mexico OVER 2 -122 (1.5 units)
2.  Uruguay +.5 -109 (2 units)

This France loss today wont help the Uruguay line.....

I just read online from The Guardian that the French newspaper L'Equipe is reporting that Didier Drogba had an emergency operation on his elbow and is hoping to play in the Ivory Coast's opening match against Portugal.

Thanks for the World Cup preview writeup Van De Zack, it was an interesting read.  Good luck the next 5 weeks, except I hope that the USA team does much better than you expect!

I hope so too!  Nobody is a bigger USA homer than me, and nothing would make me happier than losing my bet on them not to advance.  Beating England would be unreal.

I hope Drogba can be alright - it would be a shame for the sport to not have him there.

USA and England have  injury problems, what European team currently has the least amount  of injury concern.

Brazil

Italy

6 days 10 hours plus

Messi talking trash...Their coach is a douchebag.

I know France has not been looking good at all but I am finding it hard to bet against them.......Uruguay play football similar to Arsenal. Short swift passes keeping the ball on the ground and its really good to watch them, the whole team moves forward ..........Uruguay are playing as a team which is what France are lacking.....Frances starting team is amazing on paper and I find it so hard to bet against them even though all signs put to 1X in their matchup against Uruguay..........On paper they rival any team.....France has good quality and depth.......If these seasoned veterens can somehow click when the pressure is on....they can hang with the best in the world......Henry, Anelka, Malouda,Cisse, Ribery, Sagna, Evra, Clichy, Gignac.....More than enough quality and experience.......Uruguay may be overwhelmed with that midfiald battle, the speed of Henry and Riberys abilty to penetrate the defense with the ball could spell trouble for Uruguay and their defense....Malouda and Anelka play together so that should help a lot and with Evra and Gallas in the back it is certainly enough experience and quality to hold off any tream....France have a history of not scoring many goals but the same is said for their opponents.......they give up very few goals..........I think this could go 1-0 to either team..........This game is a tough call...Im just not willing to bet against a team who has a history for winning at the right time.....and Henry is due for a break out toury in his career....He generally under performs on the big stage but with thte hand of god incident,,,,,,,,what more motivation does he need to prove to the world that he is one of the best in the world............Hes heading to NY RedBulls I think and hes not wanted by Barca so I think he has something to prove to himself too...He knows this is his last World Cup...........I still see France winning the group.........at worst....second........Mexico and Uruguay will not be the two who progress.........It will be france........and one of the two......IMO

Take these friendlies with a grain of salt....I see a lot of lazy, demotivated, "I dont want to get injured," styles of play.......Many teams are still cutting their squads to the required 23 men and they are putting their weakest links in the roughest possible positions to determine who stays and who goes....The coaches knows their starting 11........They are sorting out suitable replacements right now..........try to remember your thoughts before the friendlies and see what has changed...........

For me.......the friendlies have helped and hindered...........They confirmed to me that Greece suck when I thought they would do well......Paraguay and Chile really impressed me moving forward as a team and I was surprised how good they looked but I am still a bit skeptical because I know their striking is world class////but how is the defense ...will the defense hold up////

Sorry to ramble.........I dont support France by the way.......Just worried about betting on day 1.......Mexico DNB @ 1.875 is locked in........Now what to do in the France game??????????

Getting close to the start...........CANT FKN WAIT

So van takes Argentina to win it all and they probably have a worse defense than the USA.  But he is a great capper, right? The USA has a top 10 midfield in the WC and one of the best keepers in the world.  I am not touting them to win it all and probably will do no better than the round of 16, but they are certainly not 26th or worse.  That just shows a lack of understanding of where the US team is. 

Quote Originally Posted by mohjo:

Uh, Argentina anyone?

for sure u dont know soccer

Another bad defence but since the Germany game where Maradona went w/ 4 centre halfs they've looked really good and haven't allowed a goal as opposed to USA who looks worse against much weaker teams than Germany (Czech, Turkey)

But I understand that Argentina is bad also it still doesn't hide the fact that the US looks lost and don't know how to keep the line tight...

GO USA I am American!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm staying away from betting their games but cheering is mandatory...