Group A Preview

Let's get something straight, over the course of the next couple of days, so-called soccer 'experts' will try to provide previews and predictions on what they think is going to happen at the World Cup. Here is the truth, no one is an expert, a lot of different soccer correspondents and footie fanatics might know a little bit more than you, but really no one is an expert. Case in point, try to find someone who had a World Cup final of Italy - France four years ago. So in reality, all that you are left to do is to try to accumulate as much information as you can, learn about certain players, find out who is and is not injured and at the end of the day enjoy the games.

So, ignoring what is said above, I will try to provide my own 'expert' analysis via a group by group preview of the World Cup. Let's begin with the first group, Group A:

Overview:

Group A is probably the hardest group to predict because of the relative similarities between all four teams and how even all teams appear to be before the start of the tournament. The South Africans will rely on their home field advantage and will be backed by the support of 90,000+ screaming fans coupled with their beloved vuvuzelas. The Mexicans have managed to blend youth and experience in a squad that are performing extremely well in the pre-World Cup friendlies. The French are an interesting case, some of their players including William Gallas are boycotting the media and their coach, Raymond Domenech, because Domenech chose Patrice Evra for the captaincy, after Thierry Henry was regulated to the bench, instead of Gallas. With the French, there is always drama, but least we forget, that Domenech was the same coach who led Les Blues to the World Cup final in 2006. Finally, we are left with Uruguay. The former two-time champion have actually brought 150 pounds of yerba mate, the hot herbal beverage that is viewed as the country's national drink, to South Africa. Perhaps this Uruguayan form of Gatorade may inspire the likes of Diego Forlan to score goals.

Players To Watch:

France - Hugo Lloris - Lloris is actually one of the only French players who might actually be entering the World Cup after a successful domestic season. This 23 year-old Lyon shot-stopper was the primary reason why Lyon was able to make the semi-finals of the Champions League and his play will be integral in France's run throughout the tourney.

Uruguay - Luis Suarez - Suarez, another 23 year-old, should line-up opposite Diego Forlan in Uruguay's attack. His primary strengths lie as a supporting striker in a two-striker set, and at his club Ajax Amsterdam he has served as a supporting striker to such players such as Klaas-Jan Hunterlaar and later Marko Pantelic. Currently, he serves as the captain of Ajax but with a successful World Cup he could see his services acquired by a bigger club.

Mexico - Giovanni dos Santos - This former Barcelona cantina product currently plies his trade in England with Steve Nash's favorite team, Tottenham Hotspur. The 21 year-old winger will be undeniably the main fulcrum in Mexico's attack and will be responsible for creating the goal-scoring chances for the Azteca.

South Africa - Steven Pienaar - Pienaar is a 28 year-old who plays on both wings and will be the central figure in the Bafana Bafana's attack. Pienaar currently plays for Everton, but his performances at this World Cup will determine whether interested clubs like Liverpool, Manchester City or Tottenham make a move for his services.

Projected Order Of Finish:

Mexico

South Africa

France

Uruguay