Prediction is hard, especially about the future - Niels Bohr
Every four years we love to indulge into it. Prediction game is almost as fun as the real game. We all love our own version of story line. Reality might be different but in prediction game we get a chance to enjoy them, until the real thing takes stage. Here’s mine.
Group A (Brazil, Mexico, Croatia, Cameroon)
Brazil to win the group. Easy pick, I agree. Good team, great history and home crowd behind them. But there’s another important thing that makes this side strong. Coach. He is already a world cup winner, so knows a thing or two on how to prepare team for big, crucial matches. Mexico underwhelmed in the qualifiers but I will still pick them to go through.
Group B (Spain, Chili, Netherlands, Australia)
Spain wins the group without much difficulty but the fun is in for second place. Netherlands to make early exit. Chili an exciting team and more experienced on the condition.
Group C (Colombia, Ivory Coast, Greece, Japan)
Colombia (even without Falcao) and Ivory Coast to go through. Ivory Coast, an ensemble of a good players but has history of underperforming. Colombia to win group.
Group D (Uruguay, Italy, England, Costa Rica)
Overall a strong group, but sadly only two can go through. Uruguay to win the group, which means only one of Italy or England can go through. England, historically underwhelms and Italy overwhelms. Although this English team has youthful excitement and Italy not necessarily much stronger. It’s a hard pick. But I choose to go by a story line. Which one sounds better? Italy underwhelming and going out or Suarez knocking England out. I am sticking with the latter, just for the sake of fun story.
Group E (France, Ecuador, Switzerland, Honduras)
France has fun group, no issues to win the group. Ecuador to be the runners up. Why? I have no clue. Maybe because they are South American.
Group F (Argentina, Bosnia-Herz, Iran, Nigeria)
Argentina plays just across the border and has an amazing team. Easy peasy for them, must sail through. Bosnia-Herz had great qualifier, they will be second and look at the competition. Can’t expect much from Iran, Nigeria other than help Messi win a golden boot.
Group G (Germany, USA, Portugal, Ghana)
Touch group, but Germany is awesome and group winner. Logic says Ronaldo’s Portugal should at least make it to the round of 16, but I don’t care. I want USA to go through and they are going at Portugal’s expense.
Group H (Belgium, Russia, Algeria, Korea)
Belgium's golden generation to guide them through as winners. Russia runners up because there’s not much competition.
Round of 16
Brazil - Chili -> Brazil
Colombia - Italy -> Italy
Mexico - Spain -> Spain
Uruguay - Ivory Coast -> Uruguay
France - Bosnia -> France
Germany - Russia -> Germany
Argentina - Ecuador -> Argentina
Belgium - USA -> Belgium. As much as I want, USA aren’t going further than this.
Quarters
Brazil - Italy -> Brazil
France - Germany -> Germany
Spain - Uruguay -> Spain
Argentina - Belgium -> Argentina. Party’s over for Belgium.
Semis
Brazil - Germany: Germany always runs deep into the tournament If you take into account how close they reach in last three world cups, it’s hard to deny they are the most deserving team to win this edition. Better team than Brazil, but home support to push Brazil to Final. I feel sorry for Germany
Argentina - Spain: Again, Spain probably a better team but I want all South American final. Wouldn’t it be funny if Messi dives on Busquets’s foul to win and score a penalty.
Final:
Brazil - Argentina: What a great spectacle it would be. Fitting final. Isn’t it already written? Isn’t Messi destined to for a super show and prove himself to be greatest. Wasn’t he already saving himself all season for this glory. It’s all adding up. It all makes sense.
But romantic in me wants Brazil to win it’s sixth. Brazil wins its Sixth.
Thanks for making this far. If you think all this was ridiculous, please Boo in the comment :) and enjoy the games. I plan to do that, irrespective of who wins.
