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The Group of Death (Group C)

Saturday, June 3rd, 2006

Nearly every World Cup has a “Group of Death”, in ‘02 it was England, Argentina, Sweden & Nigeria, and this time again Argentina fall into it, along with the Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and the Netherlands. Here are my predictions for the group of death.

Argentina
After a disastrous last world cup, Argentina will be looking to reach the knockout stages in Germany, and with many bookies placing them among the favourites to win, the pressure is on them again. Yet again they have a star studded squad, with 18 year old Barcelona front man Lionel Messi the main attraction, along with Juan Roman Riquelme the Villareal star. Man United’s Gabriel Heinze, back from injury, will be looking to start in a high quality defence containing Sorin and Ayala. My Prediction: Group Winners.

Ivory Coast
The Elephants, as the Ivory Coast are affectionately known, are competing in their first ever world cup, and with a squad containing a large amount of European based players, they could produce a few shocks. Their main player is Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, who has an impressive international scoring record, scoring 21 goals in 31 games, with Lens forward Dindane providing support and the Arsenal defensive pairing of Emmanuel Eboué and Kolo Touré providing strong defensive cover. Although I can’t see them reaching the knockout stages, like Senegal and Cameroon in the past, they are an unknown quantity. My Prediction: 4th Place.

Serbia & Montenegro
Although this is officially Serbia & Montenegro’s first official appearance at the world cup, their former parent country, Yugoslavia, appeared at the 1990 world cup, and several before then, and former players include Sinisa Mihailovic and Dejan Savicevic. They are another unknown quantity, but with former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman, and former Aston Villa striker Savo Milosevic upfront, both of whom have impressive international scoring records (the same cannot be said about their premiership records), they could score a few goals, especially after pipping Spain to the automatic spot in qualifying. My Prediction: 3rd Place.

Netherlands
The Netherlands had a very impressive time in qualifying, in a tough group containing the Czech Republic and Romania, they won 10 games, and drew the other 2, scoring 27 and conceding only 3 goals. Although Ruud Van Nistelrooy has been struggling of late club wise, his international record speaks for itself, scoring 26 goals in 50 games, and with Dirk Kuyt, one of Europe’s hottest properties of late, and Arsenals ever improving Robin van Persie they have a quality strike force. Defensively they are relatively in-experienced however, with aside from Van Bronkhorst and Van der Sar, none of the defense having over 20 caps, and 4 players in single figures. They will be hoping that their midfield, containing Cocu, Van Bommel and Robben will keep the pressure off the defence. My Prediction: Group Runners Up.

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Group B

Friday, June 2nd, 2006

The next group I shall preview will be England’s group, Group B, in group order:

England
Although Englands chances of winning the overall tournament depend on the fitness of Wayne Rooney, getting out of this group shouldn’t require the Man United striker. Playing Sweden last also helps as we should have qualified for the knockout stages before this game. Defensively, England are strong, with Paul Robinson in goal, and John Terry and Rio Ferdinand at the back, they have arguably one of the best defences in the tournament, the midfield is also strong, with Beckham, Gerrard and Lampard playing, however, upfront is where England may struggle (mainly due to Svens selection policy). With Owen struggling from his injury vs spurs in the season, and Rooney out, Crouch is likely to start, and the only backup available will be the tournaments youngest player, Theo Walcott. My Prediction: Group Winners.

Paraguay
Paraguays main threat is Bayern Munich’s Roque Santa Cruz, with extrovert goalkeeper Chilavert having retired from football. Having qualified in 4th place in the CONMEBOL qualification zone, they will be looking to try and take a european scalp home with them. My Prediction: 3rd Place.

Trinidad & Tobago
World Cup debutants T&T will just be hoping not to embarrass themselves, with a large contingent of UK based players, many fans will recognise the names, especially the captain, perma-smiling Dwight Yorke. As the smallest team ever to compete in the World Cup, they have little or no expectations, so an upset against one of the European teams in the group could happen, although I think it’s unlikely. My Prediction: 4th Place.

Sweden
Sweden will be hoping not to be beaten by another world cup debutante after losing to Senegal 4 years earlier. They have an impressive strike duo (at club level anyway), with Ibrahimovic and Larsson, however in recent friendlies the squad have not been impressive, with the BBC reporting them looking toothless upfront in a recent match against Finland. My Prediction: Group Runners Up.

Posted in Football, Predictions, Sport, World Cup | 1 Comment »

The World Cup is upon us! (Group A)

Thursday, June 1st, 2006

The World Cup in Germany begins in 8 days, however, I’m currently bogged down with exams, but I shall take a small break from revision to post some thoughts on each group before each group kicks off. So lets start with the hosts, Germany, and the rest of Group A, in group order:

Poland
After just being pipped into second place by England, but qualifying as one of the best 2nd teams, Poland have a chance of improving upon their disastrous 2002 world cup. With Jerzy Dudek not selected due to his lack of games this season, Poland are likely to play Celtic #1 Artur Boruc, although Kuszczak, the WBA goalie, may push for a starting spot (although judging by the goal he conceded the other day, maybe not). Up front, Celtic’s Zurawski and Derby, Tottenham, Southampton’s Rasiak will be hoping to score a few goals. My Prediction: Group Runners up.

Germany
The hosts have been having a torrid time of late, losing 4-1 to Italy, and drawing 2-2 with Japan, and they are again likely to be relying on Ballacks skills, however Podolski has an impressive scoring record too. The debate as to who will be the first choice keeper is likely to continue, however with Lehmann on impeccable form of late (aside from the rush of blood in Paris), he is likely to continue in the starting 11. My Prediction: Group Winners.

Costa Rica
This is the third World Cup Costa Rica have attended, as they continue to show why they are the 3rd best team in the CONCACAF qualification groups. They are a very insular squad, with only 3 players playing outside of Costa Rica, and only one playing in another region, so they could be classed as an unknown. My Prediction: 3rd place.

Ecuador
This is only the South Americas second World Cup, and although reaching the knockout stages will be virtually impossible, they will be hoping for another scalp after beating Croatia in 2002. English fans will recognise Ulises De La Cruz (of Aston Villa) and Augustin Delgado (who failed miserably at Southampton a while back), and they are likely to be in the starting squad again this time. My Prediction: 4th place.

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Season Prediction Review

Tuesday, May 9th, 2006

With premiership season finished, I thought I’d sum up my prediction scores and see how accurate I am, the results are as follows:

Current Overall Prediction percentage: 55% (71/128 correct)
Current Score Predictions percentage: 12% (11/92 correct)
Although they are not the best of stats, it’s better than the monkey score of 33% (i.e.: randomly choosing win/lose/draw), and I’m pleasantly surprised with the score predictions, as this is the hardest part to guess.

Posted in Football, Premiership, Sport | 1 Comment »

This is the end

Saturday, May 6th, 2006

So, the final premiership games approach, and thanks to Chelsea and Portsmouth, the only things that are not finalised are the ordering of 2nd to 5th in the table. Here are my predictions for the final premiership games of the 2005/06 season:

Arsenal vs Wigan: This will be the last Arsenal games at Highbury, and Arsene Wenger will be hoping his side can win to keep the pressure on north london rivals Spurs in the race for 4th place. Wigans season has stalled recently, however they can be proud of what they have achieved in their first ever season of top flight football. My Prediction: 3-1 Arsenal.

Aston Villa vs Sunderland: Villa fans will be glad the season is over after this game, after having one of their worst seasons in recent years, they will also be hoping that David O’Leary is given the boot. Sunderland fans will also be pleased to end an appalling season, and will be hoping to bounce back next year. My Prediction: 1-1 draw.

Blackburn vs Man City: In recent weeks, Man City have been in free fall whilst Blackburn have recovered to grab a UEFA Cup spot in 6th, and I can see this trend continuing in the match tomorrow. My Prediction: 2-0 Blackburn

Bolton vs Birmingham: Neither side here has anything but pride to fight for, so this is likely to be a dull match. My Prediction: 2-1 Bolton.

Everton vs West Brom: Another match where each side has very little to play for, a win for Everton could lift them into the top half of the table however. My Prediction: 1-0 Everton.

Fulham vs Middlesbrough: With Middlesbrough preparing for their UEFA Cup final on wednesday, this should be an easy win for Fulham, and could put them 12th in the league. My Prediction: 2-0 Fulham.

Man Utd vs Charlton: A win here for Man Utd guarantees them 2nd place, and an automatic Champions League place next season. This will be Alan Curbishley’s final match in charge of Charlton, and he will be hoping that they will do him proud, however at Old Trafford this is very unlikely. My Prediction: 3-1 Man Utd.

Newcastle vs Chelsea: After clinching the title last weekend, this will be a celebratory match for Chelsea, and with Newcastles hopes of a UEFA cup spot being dashed by Blackburn, Newcastle have little to play for. My Prediction: 2-1 Chelsea.

Portsmouth vs Liverpool: Securing their premiership safety last weekend will have been a huge relief for Harry Redknapp considering their next opponents. Liverpool are on a charge for 2nd place, and if they win here they will keep the pressure on Man Utd. My Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool.

West Ham vs Tottenham: This is quite possibly the biggest game in Spur’s history, a win and they clinch 4th place, and aside from Barcelona having a mare in Paris, a Champions League place. West Ham will have the FA Cup final next weekend on their minds, and will try not to suffer any suspensions or injuries. My Prediction: 3-1 Spurs.

Posted in Football, Premiership, Sport | 2 Comments »

Mediocrity here we come!

Thursday, May 4th, 2006

So, Steve McClaren has been given the England managers job from when Sven steps down, this will please the media who have wanted an english manager ever since Sven was given the job. I myself am not convinced, McClaren may have guided his ‘boro side to the UEFA Cup final and the FA Cup semis, however they have had a quite frankly awful premiership season. They may have fought back valiantly in their second legs in both the quarters and semis of the UEFA cup, however, in the Steaua tie certainly, Steaua were virtually non-existent in the 2nd half. Also, international matches are never two-legged, making away matches vital, and Middlesbrough have had a patchy away record this year.

The main problem I have with appointing McClaren (and pretty much any other english manager) is their severe lack of experience outside of the premiership, McClaren is the only english manager to have won anything, and that was a League Cup final against Bolton. However, what the press wants, the press gets, just look at Kevin Keegans hiring! I feel that Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had been offered the job before McClaren, would have been the best choice, his managerial CV is impeccable, however the good old english media put him off.

Alan Hansen’s view sums up the situation, the problem lies down to the fact the big clubs (Man Utd/Chelsea/Liverpool/Arsenal) haven’t had an english manager in years, the last would have been Roy Evans, who left Liverpool in 1998. Even teams who are just off the top have chosen foreign (well not english) managers, with Spurs recruiting Martin Jol (and before that Jacques Santini) and Blackburn having Mark Hughes and Graeme Souness.

Oh well, mediocrity and non-qualification here we come!

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Predictions

Friday, April 28th, 2006

No predictions this week, I’ve just handed in my final year project report, so I’m off to get smashed!

Posted in Football, Premiership, Sport | 1 Comment »

Semi-Final Weekend

Friday, April 21st, 2006

This weekend sees the FA Cup semi-finals take place, with Chelsea playing Liverpool on Saturday, and Middlesbrough playing West Ham on Sunday, here are my predictions for both semi-final, and for this weekends premiership fixtures.

Chelsea vs Liverpool (at Old Trafford): Both teams have been on good form recently, so this should be a very exciting match. Chelsea need only a single point to win the league, so their should field a strong team, and this is Liverpools last chance for silverware. My Prediction: 3-2 Chelsea.

Middlesbrough vs West Ham (at Villa Park): Compared to the other semi-final teams, neither side here has hd particularly good form of late, and with Middlesbrough still in the UEFA Cup (also at the semi-final stage) this could be a very close match. My Prediction: 2-1 West Ham.

Premiership Fixtures

Arsenal vs Tottenham: This is an absolutely massive match for both teams, with a place in the Champions League the prize for the winner (assuming Arsenal don’t win the Champions League). It is also the last North London derby at Highbury, with the gunners moving to the Emirates Stadium next season. My Prediction: 2-2 draw.

Bolton vs Charlton: Both teams here have a slight chance of sneaking into 7th position in the league, which could possibly reward them with a UEFA cup slot (but only if Middlesbrough can win the UEFA Cup). Bolton have had a tremendous slump in form of late, gaining only 1 point from their last 6 games, and they will want to try and reverse that trend here. My Prediction: 2-0 Bolton.

Everton vs Birmingham: A tricky away fixture for relegation threatened Birmingham, especially with Portsmouth at home to already relegated Sunderland. My Prediction: 2-1 Everton.

Newcastle vs West Brom: The big news for this fixture is that Michael Owen has been included in the Newcastle squad, which is pleasing from an England point of view. Newcastle have won 4 matches on the bounce, and against a poor WBA squad they are likely to make it 5 in a row. My Prediction: 3-0 Newcastle.

Portsmouth vs Sunderland: After last weekends setback at Charlton, Portsmouth will be keen to win this match, especially with Birmingham and WBAs tricky away fixtures. Sunderland have nothing to play for but pride now, however they may decide that they’d like to play Pompey again next season. My Prediction: 2-0 Portsmouth

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Bank Holiday, Woo!

Friday, April 14th, 2006

Even though this weekend is a bank holiday, there is no extended fixture list, although Sky have managed to get the delights of Man Utd vs Sunderland for viewers tonight. If ever there was a one-sided this is it, United have won their last 8 fixtures, whilst sunderland have gained only a solitary point in their last 7 games. My Prediction: 3-0 United.

Onto the rest of the weekends predictions:

Arsenal vs West Brom: A must win match for both teams, with WBA in the relegation zone and Arsenal still battling for 4th place. Arsenal will be hoping they don’t have any more trouble with a team in the relegation zone following their draw at Fratton Park on wednesday, whilst WBA will be hoping they can find the net after squandering chances at Villa Park. My Prediction: 2-1 Arsenal.

Bolton vs Chelsea: With Chelsea’s thumping of West Ham last weekend, and Bolton’s slump of form making them drift away from the european spots, this could be an interesting game. My Prediction: 3-1 Chelsea.

Everton vs Tottenham: After Arsenal’s slip-up at Fratton Park, Spurs have to ensure they win all thier games aside from the North-London derby and 4th place is theirs. Both teams have had topsy-turvy form of late, so this could be an interesting match, but with Robbie Keane still banging the goals in, I fancy spurs to win. My Prediction: 2-1 Spurs.

Fulham vs Charlton: With Charlton being dumped out of the FA Cup on wednesday, and Fulham seeming to have pulled themselves away from the relegation zone, this is a London derby with little to play for but pride. My Prediction: 1-1 draw.

Newcastle vs Wigan: Wigan are beginning to struggle in the league, and with Newcastle winning their last two fixtures, this could be an interesting game. My Prediction: 2-1 Newcastle.

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough: Portsmouth surge in form has brought life to the relegation battle, whilst Middlesbrough have been concentrating on their cup challenges, and I suspect that ‘boro might not put much of a fight up here. My Prediction: 3-1 Portsmouth.

West Ham vs Man City: Man City have suffered a tremendous slump in their form late, having lost their last five matches, and West Ham still have a chance of finishing seventh, which could still reap a UEFA cup place depending on the FA Cup result. My Prediction: 2-0 West Ham.

Aston Villa vs Birmingham: This is huge match for Birmingham, with it being their local derby and with them just sitting above the relegation zone, albeit on goal difference. The Villa fans will be hoping they win this as it would be the first time they have done the double over their second city rivals since Birminghams return to the top divisions, and it could help send them down. My Prediction: 1-1 draw.

Blackburn vs Liverpool: Liverpool have won their last 5 matches, whilst blackburn have been struggling recently, and with Liverpool still scoring freely this could be an easy win for Liverpool. My Prediction: 2-0 Liverpool.

Posted in Football, Premiership, Sport | 2 Comments »

Fight!

Friday, April 7th, 2006

This weekend see’s Manchester United and Arsenal Face each other in what is likely to be another high tempered match. Although Arsenal are out of the title race, this is an important match for both sides, with United hot on Chelsea’s heels, and and Arsenal breathing down Spurs’ neck in 5th place. Both teams are on a good run of form currently, United having won their last 7 league games, and Arsenal their last 4 league matches, and have just reached the Champions League Semi-Final. I think that with United’s current run of form, and with the match being played at Old Trafford, they will come out on top here, however it will be a close match. My Prediction: 2-1 Man Utd.

Spurs vs Man City: With Man City on a poor run of form currently, and a very poor away record all season, a match away to Spurs, who have one of the best home records in the league, is not one of the things they would want this weekend. However with Psycho’s stern telling off of his players live on tele, his squad may want to perform here. My Prediction: 1-0 Spurs.

Charlton vs Everton: A battle of the also-rans here, with a place in the top half the prize for the victors. Both teams have had a relatively poor season, and are currently on an inconsistent run of form. My Prediction: 1-1 draw.

Portsmouth vs Blackburn: A win for Pompey here could take them out of the relegation zone, at least until after tea time (when Birmingham Play), whilst Blackburn are still in the hunt for the Champions League positions. My Prediction: 2-2 Draw.

Sunderland vs Fulham: Another other than a win for Sunderland here sees them relegated, and with Fulham still relatively close to the relegation zone, it will not be an easy game for them, it may even see Fulham grab their first away win of the season. My Prediction: 2-1 Fulham.

Wigan vs Birmingham: After leaving Ewood Park with only a point on Monday, Wigan will be looking to take all 3 points here against a poor Birmingham side, who grabbed 3 points mid-week vs Bolton. My Prediction: 2-0 Wigan.

Chelsea vs West Ham: A big london derby here for both sides, with both sides on a relatively poor run of form, neither side will want to lose to their rivals. Chelsea will want to take advantage of Man United facing a tough match against Arsenal by taking all 3 points here. My Prediction: 3-2 Chelsea.

Aston Villa vs West Brom: This is the first of two West Midlands derbies for Aston Villa, and the outcome of both could decide which teams are relegated this season. My Prediction: 2-1 WBA.

Liverpool vs Bolton: Bolton will be hoping to pick themselves up here after losing to Birmingham in mid-week, and it will be tough game for them, with Liverpool still in free-scoring mode. My Prediction: 3-1 Liverpool.

Middlesbrough vs Newcastle: With Middlesbrough on a high after beating Basle on thursday they will want to perform well against their North East rivals. Both teams are playing well currently, and this should be a very entertaining match. My Prediction: 2-2 Draw.

Posted in Football, Premiership, Sport | 1 Comment »

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