World Cup Preview- Second Set

For the most part the first set of group games were what many expected with a few surprises and a lot of draws. Many teams rose up to play better while a few favorites like Brazil, Argentina, and Germany looked impressive to begin group play. The biggest upset thus far would have to be Switzerland handing Spain a one to nothing loss. Also it was fitting for the host nation of South Africa to get the scoring started this year as they matched everything Mexico, a possible contender, threw at them. Others like France and Italy did not show a lot as the two finalists of four years ago will have to improve if they plan on advancing. After 16 games, my record stands at 10-6. Not too bad considering much of the close play. Now to move onto the next 16 games and the second set of games.

GROUP A

South Africa vs Uruguay:
Bafana Bafana showed a lot of heart and passion in their opener and now have a possible chance to escape group play after a couple of ties to start Group A play. Alongside with Uruguay, these two took two perennial World Cup teams to the limit and tied them. Extra special for the South Africans is this game falls on Youth Day, a major holiday in the country. As many of these teams, South Africa got a lot of nerves out and this one with Uruguay features two free flowing offenses. South Africa will have a tough time slowing down the combo of Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez. The two Uruguayan players can create a lot of opportunities and one or both might be too tough to stop from finding the goal. The crowd will be loud, but not sure if they can generate the same momentum and offense in this second game. PREDICTION: URUGUAY 2, SOUTH AFRICA 0

France vs Mexico:
Mexico had to settle for a tie with the host nation while France did the same in less impressive fashion. The runner-up from four years ago does not seem to have the same type of cohesiveness. France needs a win more here as they need the confidence going into the last group game. France also does not want to repeat their recent history as they won in 1998, fell in the group stage in 2002, and got back to the final in 2006. The French are certainly showing signs of a team that got into the World Cup on a disputed hand ball miss call. Nicolas Anelka, the French's best player, has not done enough thus far. However, the French have a strong advantage over the Mexicans in head-to-head play, but they have not faced in a while so that might not be the best marker. Mexico generated a lot of good play; they just failed to put the ball in the net more. Their offensive attack should be able to wear down the French. In what was expected to possibly be a highlight matchup of the group stage, France's lack of passion might give Mexico enough of an edge. PREDICTION: FRANCE 1, MEXICO 2

GROUP B

Argentina vs South Korea:
Argentina has a high octane offense that can give many teams headaches. Lionel Messi will generate a lot of attention from the South Koreans. Despite dominating much of their first game, Argentina did not score a lot and will look to turn it up. But it will not be easily, as we have seen after the first game that South Korea is quick and has the potential to match goals with Argentina if their offense is clicking. Messi was not especially sharp in the first game, but that only helped his teammates as they were all over the field against Nigeria. Park Ji-Sung's play will be crucial for the South Koreans. He is an emerging player that will have to create a lot of opportunities for his teammates. The outcome will depend greatly on how well South Korea can shut down the Argentinians in the first half. There should be a fair amount of shots in this one. PREDICTION: ARGENTINA 3, SOUTH KOREA 1

Greece vs Nigeria:
Both teams did not play as well as expected and were shut down by both of their opening game opponents. For that reason, this game becomes that much more important for both teams. Against South Korea, Greece did not play characteristically to their style and it hurt them. Nigeria left a few opportunities on the field against Argentina. Giorgos Karagounis will be counted on by Greece to fix their problems on the field from the first game and get them on the board. This one could be a slow down, pick your spots type of game where both can thrive. PREDICTION: GREECE 1, NIGERIA 1

GROUP C

Slovenia vs United States:
Slovenia snuck past Algeria and leads Group C. The United States gave up an early goal to England, but caught a break when England's goalie Robert Green let the ball slip through his hands and into the goal. Despite being viewed as an underdog, Slovenia is very confident and for that reason; they will play hard against the Americans. Slovenia can put a strangle hold on this group with a win as well. U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard's ribs will be of question early in this one and if he is healthy he gives the Americans a great defensive presence in goal. Additionally, the United States needs to figure out a formation of players that gives them the best chance to create scoring opportunities with Landon Donovan leading the way. Should be a scrappy one. PREDICTION: SLOVENIA 1, UNITED STATES 2

England vs Algeria:
Despite getting a point in the opener, England viewed their tie with the United States as a disappointment. Goalie Robert Green may or may not be in goal for this one after his mistake. Oddly enough, Algeria's goalie, Fawzi Chaouchi, also gave up an easy goal to their first opponent. England will need to rebound here to put themselves in control in this group. The English do not plan to change too much and hope that Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard can get things started early and often for their attack. Algeria did not show too much against Slovenia and if England even gets half of their potential they should be able to get and pick up a big 3 points. PREDICTION: ENGLAND 2, ALGERIA 0

GROUP D

Germany vs Serbia:
Germany came out of the gate with one of the most impressive performances of the first set of games. The veteran combo of Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski led the way for a team a few youngsters. Serbia came in as the potential second best team next to Germany in this group, but suffered a close loss to Ghana. They struggled with their poise and had to deal with penalties. Aleksandar Lukovic for the Serbs will be out and they will need to generate a capable replacement for him on their defensive front. Serbia showed their weaknesses last game and Germany is good enough to find those holes and take advantage. Serbia will play with a lot purpose though. PREDICTION: GERMANY 2, SERBIA 1

Ghana vs Australia:
Ghana might give the continent of Africa its best shot of making a run after the rest of the countries were not very impressive in opening games. Australia will be a tough opponent, but a very capable victory after they slid by Serbia on a penalty kick. Ghana thought they might struggle without Michael Essien, but Asamoah Gyan seems to have picked up the slack and gives them a confident feel for a team fairly young. Andrew Ayew also created a lot of opportunities for them. Australia has to deal with a deep hole after a bad loss and they will not have a major impact player in Tim Cahill. The Australians will have to play smart and avoid penalties as that might truly end their World Cup hopes. PREDICTION: GHANA 1, AUSTRALIA 0

GROUP E

Netherlands vs Japan:
The Netherlands started very smoothly in their first game and seem poised to easily make it out of the group stage. Japan took advantage of some miscues by Cameroon and have a chance to possibly give the Dutch a scare. A victory by either could all but wrap up a spot in the next round. If Keisuke Honda can give similar performance, the Japanese will have a very good attack against what looks like another balanced cruise control Dutch team. Wesley Sneijder should be able to get his teammates going and cause problems for the Japanese. The Netherlands seem to have enough to stifle Japan, who surprised Cameroon. PREDICTION: NETHERLANDS 2, JAPAN 1

Cameroon vs Denmark:
Denmark drew a tough Dutch team and played fairly well without a couple of their key players. Cameroon entered this year with a great chance to get out of group play, but laid a big dud against Japan. Samuel Eto'o was not effective for Cameroon and his play and the health of the Danes could very well sway this game. Dennis Rommedahl played well for the Danes and their offense will look to him for a start up. Pressure is on both teams as they know they are behind the eight-ball. Cameroon has more to lose. PREDICTION: CAMEROON 1, DENMARK 1

GROUP F

Slovakia vs Paraguay:
Both teams earned draws in their first games, but they mean different results for each. Paraguay pushed the defending champions to a draw while Slovakia settled for one against one of the lowest ranked teams. Paraguay seems to have the momentum of the two based on those results. Slovakia seemed to control most of their first game, but left enough leeway and New Zealand took advantage of that. Both will want a win in this one going into their last game. Slovakia should have won their first game and thus this one is a virtual tie. PREDICTION: SLOVAKIA 1, PARAGUAY 1

Italy vs New Zealand:
Italy was slow out the gate and depended upon their defense and a late score to avoid a loss. They should catch a break against New Zealand with the group still wide open. The Italians looked to be missing an extra step. Federico Marchetti will be in goal for the Italians as Gianluigi Buffon looks to be out with bad back. Andrea Pirlo, one of the Italians big strikers, missed the first game and he is probably going to miss this one. The two injuries greatly hurt the Italians, but they should have enough if they can generate the mix that has made them one of the best countries. Italy knows that a draw here is almost like a lost. New Zealand has a lot of heart, but not sure if they can get lucky twice. PREDICTION: ITALY 2, NEW ZEALAND 0

GROUP G

Brazil vs Ivory Coast:
Brazil did not look especially dominant against North Korea and took them a while to start to look polished. Ivory Coast battled it out with Portugal to a draw and would love to at least draw here and set up a favorable matchup with North Korea for a chance to advance. Diedier Drogba came off the bench for Ivory Coast in the first game and will probably need to be utilized even more. Both teams will certainly be better in their second games and should make for a good game for at least the first half if not the whole game. Kaka will be expected to play better in this one, but they should have enough around him. Drogba not a 100% hurts Ivory Coast a bit. Brazil is using more defense, but might look to open up their offense to get the bad taste of the North Korea out of their mouths. PREDICTION: BRAZIL 3, IVORY COAST 1

Portugal vs North Korea:
Portugal will have to take North Korea a little more serious now after they gave Brazil a bit of a challenge. Also, Portugal knows that they Brazil ahead and need to do enough against North Korea in case they lose to the Brazilians. Christiano Ronaldo is struggling to get going and it will not be easy against what looks like a better than thought North Korean defense. The Portuguese lacked a little bit of a punch against the Ivory Coast and this is a perfect game to unleash their offensive potential. PREDICTION: PORTUGAL 3, NORTH KOREA 0

GROUP H

Chile vs Switzerland:
Switzerland had the biggest victory in the first set of games as they defeated one of the favorites, Spain. Both them and Chile won their first games and this one might decide which team is in better position assuming Spain rebounds. Spain played better than the Swiss, but the Swiss were the ones who got the ball in the goal. Chile had a smooth and near perfect game against Honduras to start. Although they should have been able to put a couple more goals in the net. A few members of the Swiss team are doubtful and that might be enough to tip the scales in Chile's favor if they did not already have an edge. Humberto Suazo missed the first game for Chile and might return to give them an extra spark. Both teams will put up a defensive battle before Chile breaks through. PREDICTION: CHILE 1, SWITZERLAND 0

Spain vs Honduras:
Spain has to be fuming after that shocking loss and will need to sharpen up their play if they even want to advance out of this group. The Spanish have multiple scorers and should be able to right their miscues from the last game. Fernando Torres was a bit banged up and he might see some action in this one to get some others started. Honduras will hope to replicate the plan the Swiss used because they will need defense to balance out their lack of depth with a couple key players questionable. PREDICTION: SPAIN 2, HONDURAS 0

We learned a lot after the first set of games and we learn even more after the second set. A few teams can position themselves for the knockout rounds while other might be on the brink of elimination. We see a few big group stage matchups and a few that are crucial to both teams. Expect a couple of the "powerhouse" teams to show a little more fire as they tune up. Each game counts as the number game will be of great importance going into the last set of games.