My Predictions

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Take them for what they are worth, but here are my thoughts. And yes, I do fudge on whether it will be Korea or the US who advances. Simply put, of the host countries and China, they seem to be the ones who have gotten the most momentum going into the World Cup. At the same time, they also are in one of the most even groups. I think China will struggle, although I think they will find a way through over a struggling Turkey and a Costa Rican team that will be out of its depth.

France is too beat up, and will suffer further at the hands of Uruguay and will have their hands full with Senegal.

I could be wrong about Spain -- unlike the other big teams, Spain has not suffered any serious injury. Their history of flopping the World Cup is the one thing keeping me from putting them far into the tournament.

Is everyone limping into the Cup from Group E? Cameroon seems to be a popular pick to advance deep into the tournament, but I am concerned whether they can handle the travel.

Group F -- winner has a clean run at least until the Semis. Second place team has to play France and then Brazil. No pressure there, huh?

While Italy and Mexico seem to be the strong choices, Croatia has the experience if their old legs hold up.

As for Group H, I don't know if Russia is going to show or not. If so, this group gets a lot tighter.

Please email me your comments!

GROUP STAGE

	Group A		Group E
1	France	1	Germany
2	Denmark	2	Cameroon
	Group B		Group F
1	Spain	1	Argentina
2	Slovenia	2	England
	Group C		Group G
1	Brazil	1	Italy
2	China	2	Mexico
	Group D		Group H
1	Portugal	1	Belgium
2	South Korea/USA	2	Japan

ROUND OF 16

Korea	Japan
Germany over Slovenia	France over England
Cameroon over Spain	Argentina over Denmark
Italy over South Korea/USA	Brazil over Japan
Portugal over Mexico	Belgium over China

QUARTERFINALS

Korea	Japan
Italy over Germany	Brazil over France
Portugal over Cameroon	Argentina over Belgium

SEMIFINALS

Korea	Japan
Italy over Portugal	Argentina over Brazil

THIRD PLACE, FINAL

Korea (Third place)	Japan (Final)
Portugal over France	Italy over Argentina

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