Mike's World Cup Prediction Spectacular!

This time tomorrow, I'll be up watching the first match of the World Cup as South Africa takes on Mexico. I can't wait! That's followed by France against Uruguay before a triple header on Saturday headlined by England-U.S.A. The greatest month in sports is less than 24 hours from kicking off!
With that said, you've all enjoyed my group previews I'm sure, so you're sure to love today's entry, my World Cup predictions. Some will love me by the end of it, some will hate me. And some will continue to take a wait-and-see attitude.
And with that, I give you how the World Cup will (to paraphrase coaching legend Tyrone Willingham) definitely, possibly, probably, might, could, will, should, maybe play out.

Group Stage
Group A
Predicted order of finish: 1. France; 2. Uruguay; 3. Mexico; 4. South Africa.
Key match: Mexico vs. Uruguay, June 22.
Player of the Group: Hugo Lloris, GK, France.
Explain yourself!: France is a popular choice to be one of the real disappointments of South Africa, especially with the recent drama over the decision to bench Thierry Henry for the opener. But I'm not buying it. This is still the most talented team in the group and yes, maybe it shouldn't have even qualified, but here France is and the French have reached the final two of their last three trips to the World Cup. But if they lose to Uruguay on Friday, I'll sing a different tune (and they could!). South Africa is clearly the weakest team and is likely the first host nation to not advance out of group play. But fan support is always a big deal, and if it helps carry South Africa over Mexico in the opener, which would be a true shocker, then anything is possible. But likely, the second spot will come down to Uruguay and Mexico, two evenly matched squads with a few stars surrounded by talented role players. I'm going with Uruguay because I think it's outstanding attackers up front (Diego Forlan, Sebastian Abreu, Luis Suarez) will beat out a Mexican team still trying to figure out the mix of young, inexperienced players with very old veterans.

Group B
Predicted order of finish: 1. Argentina; 2. Nigeria; 3. Greece; 4. South Korea.
Key match: Greece vs. Nigeria, June 17.
Player of the Group: Lionel Messi, F, Argentina.
Explain yourself!: Argentina is far and away the best team in this group, even with coach Diego Maradona doing what he can to screw things up. With the best player in the world in Messi surrounded by an entire lineup of stars, this team is too good not to win the group. The real question is who comes in second? South Korea is one of the best Asian teams, and has been for a long time, but has never won a World Cup match away from Asia, and I just don't see that continuing here. If it can beat Greece in its opener on June 12, maybe it can break that streak, but I don't see it happening. So then it comes down to a defensive-oriented Greek squad against offensive-minded Nigeria. Greece struggled to qualify and hasn't played well leading up to the World Cup, while Nigeria, which missed the 2006 tournament, will have plenty of local support and I see the Super Eagles getting to the knockout stage.

Group C
Predicted order of finish: 1. England; 2. United States; 3. Algeria; 4. Slovenia.
Key match: Algeria vs. Slovenia, June 13.
Player of the Group: Ashley Cole, D, England.
Explain yourself!: Everyone will look to the England-U.S. match as the big one - and it is - but I don't see it as being the real key to the group. The Three Lions are clearly the best team in the group, and even a draw with the United States probably won't be enough to cause the Brits to not win the group. England is loaded as usual, and even with the usual injury issues and drama, there should be enough there to get through. For me, the big match is Algeria and Slovenia. Whoever wins that one is going to have some momentum and confidence. They're both being overlooked, and the winner could get some decent crowd support when it goes against the United States. I think Algeria wins it, setting up a huge final match against the Americans with the winner advancing. But I think this is the Cup that the U.S. finally impresses. That doesn't mean they go a long way, but they at least look like a world-class team, and I just can't see it not failing to move out of group play in what is essentially a pretty weak group.

Group D
Predicted order of finish: 1. Germany; 2. Serbia; 3. Australia; 4. Ghana.
Key match: Australia vs. Ghana, June 19.
Player of the Group: Mesut Ozil, MF, Germany.
Explain yourself!: A very balanced group that could be one of the most competitive. Still, even with star Michael Ballack out and some key players coming off poor club seasons, I can't see Germany not finishing on top. This is the most talented team in a talented group, tough, determined and experienced and should get through relatively unscathed. Australia returns much of the same team that impressed at the last World Cup, but that means this is an older group that has not played well lately. Ghana will have the crowd behind it and is a popular choice to make a deep run, but I actually think this is going to be a big disappointment for the Black Stars. I think losing star Michael Essien is a really big deal and Ghana's traditional trouble of turning a talented roster into a cohesive unit will continue. Serbia isn't getting a lot of attention - maybe because it's not a very entertaining team - and some think it could be the weakest in the group, while others think it could be the strongest. I pick in between, better than Australia, not as good as Germany, but good enough to move on.

Group E
Predicted order of finish: 1. Netherlands; 2. Cameroon; 3. Denmark; 4. Japan.
Key match: Denmark vs. Cameroon, June 19.
Player of the Group: Wesley Sneijder, MF, Netherlands.
Explain yourself!: Another group considered fairly top heavy, but I think a little more balanced. Netherlands is the best team, with too much attacking power to not move on. There's a possibility it might not win the group, but it's remote. There's too much talent in this group and I can see some pretty one-sided matches. Japan just is not up to the level of the other three teams. It never plays well away from Asia and won't have a lot of fan support, and I just can't picture a scenario where the Japanese are anything better than last. That leaves Cameroon, a very popular local team and a popular pick to be a sleeper squad, against Denmark, a team trying to make up for missing out on the 2006 tournament. Denmark is a strong defensive team but will struggle to score goals, while Cameroon has more balance and, with the crowd behind it, should have enough to make it to the second round.

Group F
Predicted order of finish: 1. Italy; 2. Paraguay; 3. Slovakia; 4. New Zealand.
Key match: Paraguay vs. Slovakia, June 20.
Player of the Group: Gianluigi Buffon, GK, Italy.
Explain yourself!: Maybe the most predictable group in the field. Italy is easily the best team here, balanced, typically strong in the back, well coached and with the motivation of trying to be a rare World Cup repeat winner. No question the Azzuri win this group. New Zealand is by far the worst team in South Africa, and may not even score, much less win. I've obviously got an interest in Slovakia as I'll be blogging about the first-time World Cup entrant for the Sounders, and this is an interesting, young team. But it just isn't ready to move beyond group play. That leaves Paraguay, a team that looked good in qualifying, has a nice balance of offense and defense and simply needs one of its attackers to get hot. Even if one doesn't stand out in group play, Paraguay should be good enough to move out of group play.

Group G
Predicted order of finish: 1. Brazil; 2. Portugal; 3. Ivory Coast; 4. North Korea.
Key match: Brazil vs. Portugal, June 25.
Player of the Group: Luis Fabiano, F, Brazil.
Explain yourself!: The Group of Death should be nothing if not entertaining. OK, North Korea has no shot at all of advancing. That's clear. In fact, it probably shouldn't even win a point. It's the weakest link, goodbye! Brazil is the tournament co-favorite, as usual, and even with a style that isn't quite as striking as the Brazilians are normally known for, this is still a fabulous team. A lot of people like Ivory Coast, and I do too, but not as much with Didier Drogba dealing with a broken arm. Yes, you can play with a broken arm. No, you can't play that well. For all the hype Ivory Coast has received, it's really never done much internationally, and I think that continues in South Africa. Portugal did not look good in qualifying, but was without superstar Cristiano Ronaldo for much of it. He's back and healthy and is going to have a great tournament. Can Portugal beat Brazil and win the group? Probably not, but it should be a great game, with plenty of Portuguese swear words flying around.

Group H
Predicted order of finish: 1. Spain; 2. Switzerland; 3. Chile; 4. Honduras.
Key match: Chile vs. Switzerland, June 21.
Player of the Group: David Villa, F, Spain.
Explain yourself!: Sigh. This is going to be a really fun group to watch, and I wish I felt differently. Spain, no question, is going to win the group. It's just too good and should have little problem finishing on top. Some people pick Honduras to finish second, but I think there may be too many slow, older players to keep up with some of the speed and athleticism of this group, and while Honduras may play well, it's not going to advance. That leaves, sigh, Switzerland and Chile. I soooo want Chile to advance. I think it's going to be one of the most entertaining teams in the tournament and its game against Spain should be fun to watch. But no one is paying attention to Switzerland, and that scares me. This is a good team, with a good keeper, solid forwards, good midfielders. Chile can attack like crazy but its defense - like the United States - is a real issue and I think at some point, in a group with so many attacking players, that's going to be a big problem. So I'm taking Switzerland, with the caveat that I think Chile is going to go a long way at the 2014 World Cup, when this young group is just a little older.

Second round
France vs. Nigeria: Should be a really interesting match, as Nigeria will have a lot of support to knock out a team that isn't very well liked or respected. This is a good Nigerian team that has a lot of motivation, but I just can't get past the feeling that France is being overlooked for how good it is, and I'm taking the French to win despite a lot of adversity. Winner: France.
England vs. Serbia: This will be a physical, close match between a couple teams solid on defense. England will likely have the crowd support and more offense. Expect the Brits to attack and Serbia to hold them off for awhile, but eventually Wayne Rooney is going to find a way to get through and score, sending England on to the quarters. Winner: England.
Germany vs. United States: Maybe the most important match ever for the United States, and I think it will play well. Germany's got a strong defense but I think the Americans will find a way to attack and make things really tough. But Germany has the better team, and the U.S. defense scares me. One of the German strikers is going to get through a couple times, and end what is a decent showing for the Americans. Winner: Germany.
Argentina vs. Uruguay: An interesting matchup of neighbors with a long history. This game won't lack for offense or storylines and will be a fun one to watch. Maradona will get up for this one, and if he can keep his zaniness in check, and just allow his talented team to play, it should be fine. Go with Argentina in a game with a few goals scored. Winner: Argentina.
Netherlands vs. Paraguay: This might be the most one-sided of the second round matches. I like Paraguay, like their balance, but don't think its up to the level of a lot of these teams that have advanced. Justo Villar, Paraguay's keeper, should keep his team in it for awhile, but Netherlands is relentless and should wear down its opponent, and move on. Winner: Netherlands.
Brazil vs. Switzerland: Not exactly the most marquee matchup that Brazil could get, but you gotta win the games that you draw. Switzerland is going to be spent getting through its group and just doesn't have the talent to measure up to Brazil (few do). The Brazilian defense has little trouble with the Swiss attack and Brazil's counterattack proves too much. Winner: Brazil.
Italy vs. Cameroon: A fun matchup that should be very competitive. Cameroon, with the crowd behind it, will attack Italy's vaunted defense and really challenge keeper Gianluigi Buffon. But Buffon is great, and Cameroon may grow frustrated, opening up an opportunity for Italy to counterattack and get through in a match that could easily end 1-0. Winner: Italy.
Spain vs. Portugal: Wow, what a second-round match. This should be a great one between neighbors. There won't be a shortage of offense, as Cristiano Ronaldo and company will match Spain's attack. Strong midfield play should be something to watch. The difference for me will be Spain's defense, including great keeper Iker Casillas, which should be just enough to survive an upset bid in the best match of the tournament thus far. Winner: Spain.

Quarterfinals
Netherlands vs. Brazil: A marquee matchup that will have more spectacular scoring chances than any match thus far. The Dutch are going to attack Brazil's defense nonstop, and Brazil will do likewise. So it will come down to which backline holds up under the pressure. The guess here is it will be Brazil's, which is simply better. Winner: Brazil.
France vs. England: Should be a great matchup between teams that don't like each other. England is going to feel plenty of pressure in this game, and I can see the Brits getting ahead of themselves. After all, no one expects much from France. But the French keep it close and England's chemistry begins to fail under the pressure, allowing France to pull off the upset. Winner: France.
Germany vs. Argentina: Two long-time powers go at it in a back-and-forth match that may not quite live up to the hype. Messi has had a spectacular tournament so far, but the German defense gives Argentina some issues, the German strikers Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose continue to surge in South Africa. And this may be the one where Maradona drops the ball, allowing Germany to move on. Winner: Germany.
Italy vs. Spain: Another great win, with the vaunted Italian defense under explosive pressure from Spain, which is really rolling. The Spanish play with a load of confidence in this match, and Italy, desperately trying to repeat as champs, can't quite hold up. Winner: Spain.

Semifinals
Brazil vs. France: There's no way France can win this match, right? Brazil is loaded, as balanced as its ever been and Kaka, who has been relatively quiet in the tournament, is still one of the world's best. France shouldn't even be in South Africa. But....I picked France to win it all in 2006, and got ridiculed. No, the French didn't win it all, but they made it to the final. And I'm just feeling them again this time, I don't know why. I don't even like France! But I think this is a true Cinderella team, and I think it pulls of a shocking upset here. Winner: France.
Germany vs. Spain: This has been a nice run for Germany, which didn't receive the kind of attention it usually does entering a World Cup. The Germans overcame a lot to get this far, but one thing they can't overcome is Spain, which is just too relentless and overpowers Germany's backline, moving on to its expected spot in the final. Winner: Spain.

Third place
Brazil vs. Germany: Who cares? Winner: Brazil.

World Cup Final
France vs. Spain: I like this French team. But I'm also not crazy. France rides a lot of momentum into this one and enjoys the underdog label. But Spain is just too good and takes control of this match quickly, getting the crowd behind it and putting France on its heels. The Spanish don't let up, turning this into one of the more one-sided World Cup finals, and finally living up to the talent and hype its received. Winner: Spain.