World Cup - Round of 16

In my last post I broke down my picks for World Cup group play. Tomorrow the Round of 16 gets started with two more matches. Here are my picks for the next 8 games. I will also score my Group picks.

Uruguay v South Korea: This is going to be an interesting game. Uruguay (along with all the South American teams) are on fire. But South Korea have caught everyone off guard. Well, at least Greece. My pick for this game has to be Uruguay.

United States v Ghana: USA USA USA USA. or something. It's hard to really call this one. Nate Sliver at Fivethirtyeight.com puts this game at a toss up. Ghana has home-continent advantage, but I am not convinced that it is playing a role in this World Cup. The US team has proved that they have a lot of fight in them. They never fell apart even after being screwed out of a number of goals. Keeping with my prediction that US would make it to the semifinals.

Germany v England: Its World War II all over again. Germany wins in a blow out.

Argentina v Mexico: My heart says Mexico, my brain says Argentina. Argentina is leading South American's domination of this tournament. Argentina in shootout.

Netherlands v Slovakia: I don't think there will be a lot of drama in this match. Netherlands in an easy match.

Brazil v Chile: Same with this match. Brazil, while not as mind-blowing as they were in years past, are still very good. However, Chile has a lot to prove. But Brazil is going to make a solid run taking the home the cup.

Paraguay v Japan: Japan has a few players that can do magical things with on set pieces. Paraguay but it will be close.

Spain v Portugal: *yawn* I mean, Spain. There is so much hype around these sides, but I just cannot get myself to care. This match is like Lakers and Celtics or Yankees and Red Sox. No matters who wins, you just want both teams to go away. So, I guess Spain?

World Cup Picks and Notes

Below are the groups and the picks. Being mostly jobless has given me a lot of time to read blogs and scouting reports.

For those who do not know how this works, teams in each group all play each other in a round robin. The top two teams in each group goes into a knockout round. The knockout is a single elimination game. If the teams are tied at the end of 90 minutes of play they go to a shootout.

• Win: 3 points
• Lose: 1 point
• Tie: 0 points
• Total Goals for tie breaker

Group A

• South Africa
• Mexico *
• Uruguay
• France *

If this were any other year, this would be France’s group. But between the bullshit with Ireland in qualifying and some sex scandals that have divided the team they might win the whole thing. I think they will still get out of the group. Mexico is also looking good. They finally seem to be able to win games not in Mexico City. Clearly, the dark horse of this group is the host nation of South Africa. History seems to show that the host always done well. But by all account, they are not really that good.

Group B

• Argentina *
• Nigeria *
• South Korea
• Greece

No real comments about this group. If any African nation has a chance to win this year it is Nigeria.

Group C

• England *
• USA *
• Algeria
• Slovenia

USA! USA! USA! or something. Of course I am going to pull of the US here. They have been playing very well. Will they win the whole thing? Not a chance. Is it going to be an up hill battle? Very much so. England, like France is a perennially favorite. But they have had a lot of injuries and no real defense.

Group D

• Germany *
• Australia
• Serbia
• Ghana

Germany and some other team I guess. There is no html tag for a shrug. Germany would be my pick to win the whole thing. The US creamed Australia in a warm-up match last week.

Group E

• Netherlands *
• Denmark *
• Japan
• Cameroon

Netherlands and Denmark

Group F

• Italy
• Paraguay
• New Zealand
• Slovakia

Yawn. Italy won four years ago. They have lost a number of players. Slovakia could be something

Group G

• Brazil *
• North Korea
• Ivory Coast
• Portugal *

HA! Oh poor North Korea. They are going to lose so badly. Their first match is against Brazil. It would be like some NFL team playing some 6 year old tee-ball team. So Brazil, clearly is going to win

the

group and maybe the whole thing. I would of said that Ivory Coast was the second team for this group, but their best player broke his arm last week in practice. I am not sure if they can win without him. Needless to say ESPN thinks the Brazil/Ivory Coast game is going to be one to watch because it is going to be broadcast on ABC next sunday (June 20th).

Group H

• Spain *
• Switzerland
• Honduras
• Chile

Spain in a walk. They are another favorite to win the whole this year. I have no idea about the second team. Chile maybe?