By Joe Pantorno, Assistant Sports Editor
Group Stage (Top two teams advance in each group)
Group A: It is always difficult to predict a group that contains the host nation. South Africa will be playing for national pride and international attention, so they will be coming out with everything on the line. Unfortunately, they have been put in a pretty difficult group. Mexico, Uruguay, and France have histories of World Cup success. Mexico's pace and France's big names will see them advance to the first knockout stage.
Group B: It is pretty clear that Argentina will be advancing to the next round. With stars like Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, there was a reason this team was ranked first in the world towards the end of 2009. It is the other three teams, Nigeria, South Korea and Greece, where there will be some very interesting games played. It seems to me though that the Greeks have had experience playing in larger domestic leagues and bigger games to advance with Argentina.
Group C: Well America, you've got what you wanted. A matchup against England and a chance to show the big win against Spain in the Confederations Cup was not a fluke. This group is pretty straight forward: England with Premiership stars galore and the USA will advance. Algeria and Slovenia will be tune up games for the knockout stages for the Three Lions and the Yanks.
Group D: Three of the four teams in this group made it to the knockout stages in 2006. Australia, Germany and Ghana have very good chances of advancing. Serbia, the fourth team in the group, will have the displeasure of playing three very good teams. Germany will win the group and the Ghana will finish second. Ghana's midfield will be able to dismantle teams and set them apart from Australia especially if Michael Essien stays healthy.
Group E: The Netherlands are the class of this group and will be able to easily get by Denmark, Japan, and Cameroon. I can only see Japan coming out of this group unless Samuel Eto'o and the strike force of Cameroon are unstoppable in the South African heat. So as of now, the Orange and Japan will advance.
Group F: The defending champions Italy should have no trouble as they take on Paraguay, New Zealand, and Slovakia. With the likes of Roque Santa Cruz and Paolo Da Silva, the Paraguayans will be advancing with gli azzurri.
Group G: This is very much the dreaded "group of death". Brazil, who has at least made the quarterfinals 13 out of their 18 World Cup appearances, will not have their usual cake walk in the group stage. It seems like North Korea won't be enjoying South Africa for too long as the Ivory Coast and Portugal will be vying for the top two spots in the group. We will be lucky enough to see clashes between Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, Brazil's Kaka, and the Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba. By far my hardest prediction, Brazil and Portugal will advance.
Group H: Current world number two Spain will be advancing to the next round. Tons of stars and a rather simple group will see a dog fight for the second qualifying spot. The team coming out on top between Chile, Honduras, and Switzerland will not be experiencing much success after the group stage, but for now Honduras looks like they will come out of Group H.
Round of 16:
France v. Greece: The French know how to win and will take down the Euro 2004 champions. Thierry Henry and Franck Ribery will prove to be too much.
England v. Ghana: England has a tendency to choke on big stages, but I think they will be able to overcome Ghana. If Wayne Rooney has a summer like he had a domestic season in 2009-2010, England will be fine.
Netherlands v. Paraguay: The Netherlands has too many weapons for Paraguay to withstand. This should be a breeze for the Orange.
Brazil v. Honduras: I think every sort of international soccer fan minus Brazilian supporters will be praying for some kind of miraculous upset here, but no way is that happening. Brazil wins big.
Argentina v. Mexico: In a rematch of the first knockout stage in 2006, it looks like Argentina will come out on top again. This time though, I do not think the Argentineans will need an extra time miracle strike by Maxi Rodriguez.
Germany v. USA: Though the USA may think they may have a shot against England, they have no shot against the Germans. The red, white and blue's run ends here.
Italy v. Japan: It's only a matter of time before age begins affecting the Italians, but I think the Japanese will not give the Italians too much trouble. They do have speed, which the aging defense may have trouble with, but the Italians know how to win.
Spain v. Portugal: Portugal made it to the third place game in 2006, but they will not be making it this far in 2010. Spain is out to prove they can win a World Cup and finally achieve international dominance.
Quarterfinals:
France v. England: It always gets interesting in the quarterfinals and this matchup is very difficult to call. England will be looking for their first World Cup triumph since 1966 and exorcize the demons of World Cup failures past. France still has a very solid squad, but England will find a way to win.
Netherlands v. Brazil: Another dandy of a game, this game is going to be a shootout. Brazil's strike force will be too much for the Netherlands and Brazil, like they usually do, will advance to the semi-finals.
Argentina v. Germany: Four years ago this would have been completely different, Germany would have no problem with Argentina. With the emergence of Leo Messi, Argentina should be able to out the Germans.
Italy v. Spain: Looks like this game will be a repeat of the Euro 2008 quarterfinal with Spain coming out on top. Italy will be competitive for most of the game, but their biggest enemy, time, will be their demise.
Semifinals:
England v. Brazil: It looks like England may have to wait another four years for a World Cup victory as Brazil will win a close one.
Argentina v. Spain: If a healthy Fernando Torres and Xavi were there for the Spaniards, they would be on the way to the finals, but the depleted attack will not be able to keep up with Argentina.
Third place game:
Spain v. England: The woes continue for the Three Lions as the injury plagued Spanish find a way to beat them. Will a trip to the third place game be able to save Fabio Capello's job as England manager?
Final:
Brazil v. Argentina: This will be quite the entertaining final. Two fast paced teams, huge stars and two rich histories in soccer. The best team with the best player will come out on top as Argentina shall lift the World Cup Trophy.