The stage is set for the biggest sporting event in the world when the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Sao Paolo Brazil. After 207 countries went on a slug fest in the qualifying campaign, we are now down to 32 countries, drawn into 8 groups, with only one winner to bring home the title of being the best football nation in the world.
Who will win the ultimate price in the upcoming World Cup in Brazil? Here are our predictions.
The Group Stage Predictions
1. Group A - Brazil, Mexico
2. Group B - Spain, Chile
3. Group C - Columbia, Greece
4. Group D - Italy, Uruguay
5. Group E - Switzerland, France
6. Group F - Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
7. Group G - Germany, Portugal
8. Group H - Belgium, Russia
The Round of 16 - Knock out stage Predictions
1. Brazil vs Chile - Winner Brazil
2. Columbia vs Uruguay - Winner Uruguay
3. France vs Bosnia and Herzegovina - Winner France
4. Germany vs Russia - Winner Germany
5. Spain vs Mexico - Winner Spain
6. Italy vs Greece - Winner Italy
7. Argentina vs Switzerland - Winner Argentina
8. Belgium vs Portugal - Winner Portugal
The Quarterfinals Predictions
1. Brazil vs Uruguay - The battle for continental dominance should favor the young and more talented Brazilian squad.
2. France vs Germany - The German squad will prove too much to handle for the French, crushing their hopes for a deep run in the World Cup.
3. Spain vs Italy - A tactical battle that will have fans sitting on the edge of their seats. In the end, Spain will have the better roster to seize the victory.
4. Argentina vs Portugal - A battle for the ages between two of the best footballers in the world today in Messi and Ronaldo. This is a dream match all football fans around the world are waiting for. When the dust settles though, I think Argentina will get the win.
Battle of the Best - The Semifinals Predictions
1. Brazil vs Germany - This is football at its finest. It's very hard to predict which one of these football powerhouses would get the victory. I would have picked Germany but losing Marcus Reus to injury was a critical blow to Germany's offense. Brazil wins.
2. Spain vs Argentina - Spain just looks unstoppable entering this tournament and it would take a legendary performance from Messi to match the Spaniards fire power but even that may not be enough to give the Argentineans the victory. Spain wins.
So the grand finale for the 2014 FIFA World Cup will be between the host nation Brazil and the defending champions Spain. The Spaniards have the more experienced and football savvy squad but history is against them - no European team has ever successfully defended their World Cup title on South-American soil. Brazil wins in a tight battle. Neymar hoists the trophy in jubilation together with thousands of Brazilians in Maracanã Rio De Janeiro.
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