Here is the world cup blog. I can’t still not speak about the world cup. Can I? We’re just 5 day away from the start. With predictions flying everywhere, the injury news keeps changing the odds every single day. I thought I’ll anyway make my predictions – from the group standings to world champions. I have a certain luck or judgment when it comes to football predictions.

Before Euro 2008 I made certain predictions. I said Russia would be in the semi final. I said France will not go past the group stage. I was sure that hosts Portugal will not win it. Predicted that Spain will beat Italy in the quarterfinal. I predicted a Germany vs Spain final. I expected Ballack to be the European Champion, probably that’s where my club allegiance took over. Anyway, I was truly impressed about how right I was about Russia, France, Germany and Spain. So, take me seriously! I’m not your Sky Sports pundit :-)

Okay, here we go:

GROUP LEAGUE STAGE

Group A – Winners: Mexico | Runners: South Africa

This is a tough group. I’m kind of sure that France will be eliminated. So that leaves three teams from which two will make it. I think Mexico can top the group as they are a better team with good individual players. I can’t see South Africa dropping out at this stage. The certainly have a great home advantage. We saw that in the confederations cup.

Group B – Winners: Argentina | Runners: Nigeria

Argentina should top this group. I don’t see any other possibility. They had a rough qualification phase but having made to the world cup, they are a very strong contender to go all the way. I think Nigeria would pip South Korea for progression. African teams would surely enjoy a lot of support and I think Nigeria would cash in on that.

Group C – Winners: England | Runners: United States

England are going to do a very good job at this world cup. I expect Capello to steer England through this group with some ease. United States would go through to the next round with equal ease. This is probably the group with the least upset potential.

Group D – Winners: Germany | Runners: Australia

Ballack’s absence is a big blow but Germany is always about organisation and team work. This is a tricky group but I would expect Germany to stay on top. There could be a mad rush for the second place. Ghana would certainly miss Essien. Serbia is a very good team but something tells me that Australia would progress.

Group E – Winners: Netherlands | Runners: Japan

No Robben but Netherlands have too much fire power not to top this group. This could also be a hard fought group with some tense battles until the last day. Japan could be the lowest rated team in the group but I think they can spring a surprise.

Group F – Winners: Italy | Runners: Paraguay

When it comes to tournaments, I would put Italy and Germany in the same league. There is something about them delivering in tournaments. This could be an easy group for them to top. I don’t see either a Newzealand or Slovakia progressing over Paraguay here.

Group G – Winners: Brazil | Runners: Portugal

Finishing second is not a Brazilian thing, is it? This is a so-called group of death but not for Brazil. Probably for Portugal it might be a nervy progress ahead of Ivory Coast and North Korea. I don’t see Ronaldo’s team missing out so early. They should be through.

Group H – Winners: Spain | Runners: Chile

Spain must have been relieved when their draws were made. The top world cup favourites should finish above the rest of the group while Chile can clinch progression ahead of Honduras and Switzerland.

PRE-QUARTERS

From this stage on rankings don’t matter and history doesn’t matter. Matches could be turned with moments of magic. There is no second chance. There could be this lottery of penalty shoot out too. Upset-potential is high!

Mexico beats Nigeria

This is anybody’s match. I have thus feeling that Mexico is a much better team than people think. While African teams will do well this time, I have my doubts about their ability to handle pressure. Mexico will progress.

England beats Australia

England has to progress this stage pretty comfortably if Capello has to justify any of this remuneration package. I think they would get past Australia comfortably, though this might sound arrogant.

Argentina beats South Africa

The hosts will have to get their heart break at some point of time. I think it would be at the hands (not literally, but you never know!) of Argentina. It could be a very even match decided by a flash of brilliance just like what Brazil did to them in the confederations cup.

Germany beats United States

United States beat Spain 2-0 in the confed cup. But Germany is no Spain. Germany is not a team that you can beat by counter attacking tactic. I think this will go to the penalties and you know who wins when it comes to spot kicks.

Netherlands beats Paraguay

I expect Netherlands to come out all guns blazing and knocking all the confidence out of their opponent by the half time. This is as much as they can get without Robben. They are getting past Paraguay without breaking a sweat.

Italy beats Japan

This is the part where Japan gets schooled. The masters of football will toy with Japan giving them lessons on various facets of football. In the end, it may not be humiliating but Japan would realise that they were never in the match.

Brazil beats Chile

Brazil might finish off Chile in a hurry. Typically, the Dunga-led Brazil has wiped off some of their traditional flair and replace that with some defensive order and organisation. When a team of Brazil’s quality wants to progress in a world cup, and if they can be less of purists and more of pragmatists, it’s hard to stop them.

Spain beats Portugal

The battle of the neighbours would clearly show how far these teams are in terms of football ability. While Spain have Villa and Torres upfront plus Navas, Silva and Pedro, Portugal is all about Ronaldo. Nani, Almeida etc don’t impress me and I don’t they are the types that would impress in a stage like world cup.

QUARTER FINALS

England beats Mexico

This could be a very close match. I don’t think this would be taken to the penalties but this could be settled in extra time. This is where Frank Lampard delivers a man of the match performance with a late winner!

Brazil beats Netherlands

Again, I’m making a bold prediction here. It’s not about Brazil winning but it’s about how easily they would beat Netherlands. I think Brazil will nearly humiliate Netherlands and beat them to submission. This is when Brazil peak in the tournament and get uber-confident that this is their cup to win.

Argentina beats Germany

Germany would approach this match to take it to the penalties like they did in the 2006 world cup. That would back fire. Argentina will win without ever being threatened seriously. Sergio Aguero finally would finally make a big impact at a stage as big as this.

Italy beats Spain

The top-top favourites Spain would go out to street smart Italy. While Spain would have 70% possession and make 600 passes, Italy would score from a set piece and hold on to the lead to go to the semi finals. Step in Iaquinta, slam home that mighty header!

SEMI FINALS

Brazil beats England

You can only do so much with John Terry not being captain. I see England taking a lead with a goal involving Lennon and Rooney only for Brazil to come back and show who’s the boss. No samba football but a strong performance hitting England where it hurts. Don’t discount the possibility of a goalie blunder. Brazil to win in regulation time. All hell breaks loose in England.

Argentina beats Italy

This could be a nail biter. Probably the best match of the tournament. I think this would be decided in the penalty shoot out. Yes, I mean the Italians losing a penalty shoot out. Leo Messi would hardly make an impact, might even get subbed in the second half. The Italian will fight bravely to win the match in full time but Argentina would go to the finals.

FINAL

Brazil beats Argentina

The global derby of football. The best possible pair in a world cup final. It’s not the just the trophy, it’s also the pride that’s at stake. One would dread to be on the losing side here. Diego Maradona’s dream of winning the world cup as a manager might not happen this time. Brazil, the old rivals and the arch enemy, would be the champions. I think this match would be over in regulation time. This may not quite be the classic that you would expect in a Brazil vs Argentina as a world cup final. There’s too much at stake. Substance will win over the style. And it is Brazil who have a good balance of both of them. Brazil will the be world champions for the sixth time.

THIRD PLACE

England beats Italy

If it’s of any significance, England would clinch the third spot to get their best result in a world cup since 1966. And for once, they would never be beaten on penalties in a tournament.

So this is it.

Probably, it’s so boing and conservative that I think Brazil would be world champions. But honestly, as it stands today, I think they are the strongest. One might say that Spain is the best team in the tournament but they have this disease that Barcelona have. While they are oh-so-beautiful when teams play open football, they have struggled against organised teams. I think they will flatter to deceive. Plus, put this on record, they’re playing style is too slow to win the world cup. They lack pace in their build up. Bottomline – Spain are not going to be world champions this time. This year belongs to Brazil! It pains to say that a Chelsea player won’t win the world cup but that’s all right because Chelsea will ge their hands on all other trophies!

While these are my predictions, who do I ‘want’ to win? Certainly, England. I think I’m an England supporter when it comes to internationals. That’s also probably because of the Chelsea contingent in England and that an England win is what can bring maximum joy to most of the Chelsea players, staff and supporters. Go England!

Future is not future when you can predict accurately, isn’t it? Let’s see in a month’s time if I’m completely wrong. if I don’t get any of my predictions right, don’t say I know nothing about football. You’ve heard about this bloke called Pele right?