With the World Cup under way we thought it would be the perfect chance to see whether the Inside Futbol team know their stuff, or not! We’ve asked a selection of writers, specialising in football from different parts of the globe for their thoughts.
So who will win the World Cup? Which, if any, of the favourites are doomed to a tournament to forget, and just who will be that unexpected team that comes from nowhere to make a run in South Africa? Let’s ask the Inside Futbol team:
Tom Oldfield – Inside Futbol’s English football expert and published author:
Who will win the World Cup and why?
Brazil. They are capable defensively, with Maicon bombing forward and Julio Cesar solid between the sticks, and have so many threats going forward. Kaka will be hungry to put a poor season in Spain behind him and Luis Fabiano looks a good bet to be the top scorer. They also seem to have the right balance, with Gilberto Silva and Felipe Melo in holding roles to allow Kaka, Robinho et al to push forward.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
Until Didier Drogba’s injury, the Ivory Coast had a decent chance of edging out Portugal in Group G, but now the likeliest to stumble are the Germans, even though they generally turn it on in the major tournaments. Serbia, Australia and Ghana are all talented sides and might expose some of Germany’s weaknesses. The injury to Michael Ballack is another reason to think they may struggle. If they do not win the group, a tough second round clash with England could await.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
France. For all the negative press on the supposed splits in the camp and Raymond Domenech’s departure after the tournament, the French are a talented team. They should top the group, avoiding a second round clash with Argentina and building momentum for the knockout rounds. Any team with the creative flair of Franck Ribery and Yoann Gourcuff, coupled with experienced defenders like William Gallas and Patrice Evra, cannot be counted out. They are being written off but have the quality to prove the critics wrong.
Scott Musgrave – Inside Futbol’s Asian football expert:
Who will win the World Cup and why?
For me it’s a toss up between Brazil and the Netherlands. Brazil have a talented squad with a few players looking to prove themselves after a disappointing domestic season, and some young up and comers. With no major injuries of note to key players, luck has to be on Brazil’s side. The Netherlands were my pre-tournament prediction, but with Arjen Robben out with injury, the Dutch might just lack that X-factor to put them over the finishing line.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
I’m going to have to go with the defending champions, Italy. There’s some old legs in there and not a lot of goals. A lot of doubt also hangs over the head of Andrea Pirlo who is the Azzurri’s main playmaker. Without him they will struggle. However, even with him, I expect teams with a bit more pace about them to come up trumps.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
Well, there are a couple that could potentially upset, but I can see South Korea qualifying from their group and causing quite a ruckus. A potential second round meeting with probably Mexico or Uruguay will suit the plucky Taeguk Warriors, and there might be a quarter-final appearance on the horizon. Watch this space!
Nick Dorrington – Inside Futbol’s South American football expert:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
It has to be Brazil for me. Dunga’s side is hardly one for the aesthetes, but they are so well organised, the players are 100% comfortable with what he requires from them, and they are deadly on the counter-attack. It is therefore hard to see past them.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup
I think the holders Italy will struggle to make it past the second round in South Africa. Marcello Lippi has shown too much faith in the old guard that took them to glory four years ago, and has failed to find sufficient replacements for the magic offered from the start by Francesco Totti and off the bench by Alessandro Del Piero. I can see them stumbling through their group in second before falling to Holland in the first knockout round.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
Uruguay are not receiving that much attention, but I think they have a good chance of reaching the quarter-finals, maybe even the semis, especially if they can win their group. Their defence is solid, if lacking in pace, the midfield tireless, and in the final third they boast both ingenuity and finishing prowess. Uruguay vs England in the quarter-finals would be a mouth-watering prospect.
Paul Smith – Inside Futbol’s England expert and tireless Tweeter:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
It’s difficult to look beyond European Champions Spain. In Iker Casillas they have a world class goalkeeper. Their defence is expertly marshalled by Gerard Pique whilst the dynamic Sergio Ramos offers a good attacking outlet. In midfield they have a host of world famous names; Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas and David Silva. Possession is the name of the game and the aforementioned quartet can keep the ball effortlessly against the best in the world. Up front, in David Villa and Fernando Torres they have arguably the best strike partnership in the tournament. The only question mark is whether the favourites tag becomes too much of a burden for them.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
After qualifying in controversial circumstances it could be a World Cup to forget for France. On paper they should win Group A, but both Mexico and Uruguay have shown enough to suggest that they can be a threat, and South Africa, in typical host nation style could upset the form book. If Les Bleus fail to beat Uruguay in their opening match then pressure will mount and there will be a distinct possibility they will need to get a result in their final group game against the host nation. Something everyone connected to L’Equipe Tricolore will be wishing to avoid.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
Despite finding themselves in a difficult group Ghana have an excellent chance. The squad has invaluable experience of tournament football after reaching the final of the Nations Cup earlier this year. Several members were also part of the victorious Under-20 World Cup side who were crowned World Champions last year. Finishing second in Group D is likely to set up a difficult clash with England. So if a run to the quarter-finals or semi-finals is on the cards then the Black Stars will ideally need to win Group D ahead of Germany, Serbia and Australia, something which shouldn’t be beyond them, especially if they can take inspiration from playing on African soil.
Adoni Patrikios – Inside Futbol’s Australian football expert and published author:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
I think Brazil will come out on top. They’re so disciplined and able to control a game so easily whilst containing such skilful players that I think they’ll easily overcome most opposition. They seem to have been discouted because they’ve been constrained by their coach, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him letting them really express themselves if he thinks it will win the game.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
Argentina look like a disaster waiting to happen. Having such a livewire as a coach is always dangerous and it seems fairly clear that Diego Maradona doesn’t know how best to utilise the great attacking players in his squad. An unremarkable second round exit would not surprise me at all.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
I think South Africa may spring a few surprises. Playing on their own turf, with a riotous home support, ears deaf to the whine of the vuvuzela, some sympathetic refereeing a la South Korea in 2002 and a few quality players, they might have enough going for them to defy expectations.
Luca Ferrato – Inside Futbol’s Italian football expert and published author:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
Argentina or Brazil, because I think South American teams are able to adapt better than Europeans in all tournaments outside Europe. Argentina are my real favourites, despite their manager.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
Italy. Every time that Italy win a World Cup they usually perform very badly in the next tournament. Italy have a very poor team this year, full of ageing players.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
Holland impressed so much in pre World Cup friendlies and it is interesting to watch Robin van Persie play as a lone striker, in front of a wonderful midfield. Mexico play entertaining football too and if they can navigate their way through the first stage, everything is possible.
Hassan Chamas – Inside Futbol’s Spanish football expert:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
Without any doubt, Spain. Vicente del Bosque holds the most complete and gifted squad, one that plays the tiki-taka football of Barcelona, who are undoubtedly a joy to watch. Should La Roja continue their form, then they’ll be hard to stop. Just ask Poland.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
Italy. Marcello Lippi’s team is a joke, as it harbours some eyebrow-raising names, while missing the really obvious ones: What are the likes of Gianpaolo Pazzini and Fabio Quagliarella doing ahead of Mario Balotelli, Fabrizio Miccoli, Antonio Cassano and Giuseppe Rossi?
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
South Korea. Led by Park Ji-Sung, the Koreans have had a decent record in recent tournaments, notably finishing as fourth in 2002’s edition. They could really cause a surprise in this World Cup.
Alec Cordolcini – Inside Futbol’s Dutch & Belgian football expert and published author:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
In my opinion they have the most talented squad, apart from between the sticks. Despite all their critics, I think Diego Maradona has developed a solid team spirit. The strategy Maradona versus the world may pay off, especially if he succeeds in putting less pressure on the players.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
Italy. A team with very few talents and a number of players clearly past their best in the starting eleven. With Andrea Pirlo injured, who will dictate their play? The ugly football played by Lucky Lippi’s men surely won’t help.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
Uruguay. With a partner such Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan could form an attacking partnership as strong as that he enjoys at club level with Sergio Aguero at Atletico Madrid. Young talented midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro could be one of the World Cup’s rising stars, while the defence is well marshalled by Diego Lugano.
Tangeni Jefta – Inside Futbol’s African football expert:
Who do you think will win the World Cup and why?
Italy or Argentina for me, if none of the African teams can use home advantage. Italy have tradition in the World Cup and are the holders, as well as being experienced. With stars like Antonio Di Natale the Azzurri will score goals and can always defend. Argentina meanwhile have six forwards who come to the tournament with 167 goals in all competitions between them. If the supply works, the cup could be on its way to the ‘hands of God’.
Which of the favourites (if any) will have a disastrous World Cup?
Hot favourites Spain and Ballack-less Germany. The European Champions could have a shocking tournament because a midfield without a workaholic dedicated destroyer will see them suffer. Germany are no doubt a tournament team, but this time around they lack imposing and inspirational figures, which may lead to an unexpected exit.
Which team will be the dark horses of the tournament?
Ghana and South Africa. Although robbed of their box-to-box versatile midfielder Michael Essien, the key will be to keep Kwadwo Asamoah and John Mensah fit. Qualifying from the group could see this young side going all the way. South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are in their own backyard, managed by a World Cup winning coach and could cause upsets, surprising a few more fancied teams.