Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 11

Travel day for Posts By Panos . . . but have no fear tomorrow's fearless predictions will be packed with a complete preview of the final round of match for Group D.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Days 6-8

You could argue I have been lazy, but I would rather say I have been pre-occupied. See, I have traveled down south to the coast of Maryland for the lovely wedding of two good friends from business school. Unable to post any fearless predictions, has clearly left my readers in a loop, but here is recap of what I would have predicted.

Euro 2012 Fearless Predictions - Day 3

Two days into Euro 2012 and we have our first major upset of the tournament with the Danes taking down the Dutch with a dogged determined defensive effort. I hope everyone likes that little alliteration, I do it for the kids. Let's get to Day 3 with another set of fearless predictions.

Euro 2012 - Group C Preview

Group C at the European Champions in Poland and Ukraine is highlighted by the defending champions, Spain, the pragmatic Italians ever dogged by scandal, determined Croatia and pesky Ireland. One can argue that all four teams in this group are not entering this tournament in the greatest form, yet once the tournament begins we  will be surely blessed with some fantastic football.

Fearless Predictions - Women's World Cup - Day 3

We knew that perfection would not last throughout the entire Women's World Cup, but are we really surprised that it is the British that failed to live up to expectations. It seems like an almost annual right of summer, a disappointing British national team, but regardless it is a new day, and thus a new day of fearless predictions.

Women's World Cup Preview - Group C

Group C at the Women's World Cup in Germany sees the United States, take on heated rival North Korea, European power Sweden, and South American minnow Colombia. The United States will be favored to top the group while North Korea and Sweden will both look to advance to the knockout stage. Columbia have yet to play a match against a non-South American opponent and are much outsiders at this tournament.

FIBA World Basketball Championships - Group C Preview

The FIBA World Basketball Championships kicked off this weekend from Turkey and as with Group A and B, PBP will preview each of the four groups, so let's move ahead with Group C.

Live Commentary - Group C

Day 13 Fearless Predictions

After making a spirited comeback to climb two games above .500 I faltered on Day 12 and picked games based on my heart rather than my head. But, I can hold my head up high, I did pick the French to choke and hoped that Nigeria and Greece would be able to accomplish the miracles needed, but sometimes in soccer the better teams win. So congratulations to Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina and South Korea for reaching the Round of 16. We are onto Group C & D and at the end of the day we will have more than half of the teams who will continue onto the next stage. Onto the picks!

Day 13

Slovenia - England

John Terry is a complete jackass, there I said it. First he sleeps with Wayne Bridge's baby mama, and then he speaks out of line and is a rat to the media regarding Fabio Capello. If I was Don Fab I would bench Terry and play Dawson and Upson in the center of the defensive back four. Regardless this is it for England. To fail to advance to the Round of 16 will a complete and utter disappointment and although they are playing a very tough Slovenian squad, there are weaknesses that the United States exposed that England could use to their advantage. The Brits need to use their wingers and Wayne Rooney needs to be at this best form or else good bye England.

Slovenia - England (0-2)

United States - Algeria

Did you know that the United States is 0-6 in the third game of the group stage at the World Cup? Well tomorrow the tide needs to turn for the United States to advance into the Round of 16. I believe Bob Bradley needs to encourage Uncle Sam's men to attack from the onset and play a complete game, because the US in their two earlier matches allowed early goals. The key for the Algerians is defensive organization coupled with counter-attacking play. As the game draws further along still scoreless, the Algerians could sneak in a winner. Should be an exciting match.

United States - Algeria (2-1)

Ghana - Germany

Ghana is the last great hope for the African teams at the World Cup. So much for the 'home-continent' advantage, it has been a complete joke. Ghana needs to play strong defensively to shut down a German attack that will be playing without Miroslav Klose due to his red card in the match against Serbia. The Germans should be able to exploit Ghana's weaknesses if it uses Philip Lahm as a wingback and the darting runs from midfielder Ozul. Germany should be able to overcome Ghana in this match.

Ghana - Germany (0-2)

Australia - Serbia

Australia will be welcoming back Tim Cahill for this match against the Serbians still hopeful of a chance to advance to the Round of 16. I am not sure what to make of Serbia. Picked by many to be a dark horse in this tourney they have disappointed but I see them playing a full 90 minutes of football and squeezing out a result against Australia. The key for the Serbs is the focus and organization from center backs Vidic and Subotic.

Australia - Serbia (0-1)

OVERALL RECORD

18-18

Who Can Still Qualify?

Group A

Uruguay need only a draw to progress to the next stage in first place. Should they lose and France or South Africa draw, they will qualify in second place. Should they lose and one of France and South Africa wins, it will come down to goal difference.

Mexico need only a draw to progress to the next stage in second place. Should they lose and France or South Africa draw, they will qualify in second place. Should they lose and one of France and South Africa wins, it will come down to goal difference.

France require a win over South Africa; and for Uruguay and Mexico not to draw; and to secure a superior goal difference to the losing side of the other fixture, in order to qualify in second place.

South Africa require a win over France; and for Uruguay and Mexico not to draw; and to secure a superior goal difference to the losing side of the other fixture, in order to qualify in second place.

Group B

Argentina need only avoid defeat against Greece to qualify in first place. Defeat is fine, too, unless it is by three or more goals, and South Korea win, in which case they will finish third. Second place is possible if they lose by a high margin to Greece but are not leapfrogged by South Korea.

South Korea are guaranteed to qualify in second place if they win and Greece drop points; or if they win by a higher margin than Greece; or the same margin whilst preserving a goals scored superiority.

Greece will finish second if they secure more points than South Korea. If they win and South Korea win, then it comes down to three-way goal difference, in which the Greeks must score two goals more than the Koreans.

Nigeria must beat South Korea and hope that Greece lose to Argentina. Only this set of results will see them qualify in second place while scoring more goals than both Greece and South Korea.

Group C

Slovenia will qualify for the next stage with a draw against England. They can also qualify in second place - or even first - with a narrow defeat, providing that Algeria win only by a slim margin against the United States.

United States will guarantee qualification with a win over Algeria, and will finish first if Slovenia can only draw at the time, or if England win by a narrow margin. A draw will be enough if Slovenia beat England, or if Slovenia and England draw while the USA preserve a better goal record than England. The only scenarios that see the USA finish first instead of second is if they secure a better goal difference than Slovenia whilst the Europeans draw with England; or if England beat Slovenia and the USA retain a better goal difference than them. Meanwhile if the USA lose they are definitely out.

England are guaranteed to progress if they defeat Slovenia. They can also qualify in second place if both matches end in a draw and they score three more than the United States do in their tie with Algeria (e.g. 3-3 and 0-0.) Defeat eliminates England entirely, as does a draw if either USA or Algeria pick up a win. First place is possible for England only if they win and the USA and Algeria draw, or Algeria win.

Algeria cannot win the group but can qualify in second if they beat the USA and Slovenia win; draw; or lose by a significantly greater margin than Algeria currently possess.

Group D

Ghana need only avoid defeat to qualify. If Serbia beat Australia and Ghana and Germany draw, Ghana finish second. If Serbia beat Australia and Germany beat Ghana, Ghana finish third.If Australia draw with Serbia and Ghana retain their goals scored advantage over Serbia in a one-goal loss, Ghana qualify in second; a larger margin of defeat results in a third place finish. If Australia beat Serbia and Ghana lose, Ghana qualify in second place.

Germany will qualify in first place with a win over Ghana, assuming Serbia fail to beat Australia by a three goal margin. A draw with Ghana will see them through in second if Australia and Serbia draw; or if Australia win without repairing their goal difference. Any other scenario results in elimination for the Germans.

Serbia will qualify with a win over Australia. They will finish second in doing so unless Ghana and Germany draw; or if Germany win and Serbia can repair their goal difference over them. A draw will be sufficient for Serbia to qualify in second place if Germany lose; or if Germany win and Serbia secure a better goal record than Ghana.

Australia will qualify in second place if they beat Serbia and Ghana beat Germany. They can also qualify in second if they win and Ghana and Germany draw, providing that Australia  can overcome a mammoth goal difference margin of seven; or if Germany beat Ghana and Australia can overcome a their goal difference margin vis-a-vis the Africans. Realistically Australia need a win, and a Ghana win.

Group E

Netherlands have already qualified and are likely to finish first. They will only finish second if they lose and if the winner of the Denmark-Japan fixture can secure a better goal record than the Dutch.

Japan will qualify in second place with a draw or a win against Denmark. They can win the group if the Dutch lose and the Japanese can secure a superior goal record while winning versus Denmark.

Denmark will qualify in second place with a win against Japan - no other result will suffice. They can win the group if the Dutch lose and the Danes can secure a superior goal record while winning versus Japan.

Cameroon are eliminated.

Group F

Paraguay Paraguay will qualify for the next stage in first place with a win against New Zealand. They can also finish second if they lose and Italy and Slovakia draw; or if Slovakia beat Italy while repairing their goal difference deficit over the Paraguayans. Any other scenario results in elimination.

Italy will qualify with a win over Slovakia. They will also qualify if they draw and Paraguay defeat New Zealand; or if they draw while Paraguay and New Zealand draw, while scoring more than New Zealand. Should Italy and New Zealand both draw by the exact same scoreline then a drawing of lots will take place to determine qualification. Italy can only finish in first place if they win, while Paraguay and New Zealand draw and Italy achieve a better goal difference than Paraguay. Or, if Italy win, New Zealand win, and Italy achieve a better goal difference over New Zealand.  Any other scenario will result in elimination.

New Zealand New Zealand will qualify in first place with a win over Paraguay unless Italy also win with a bigger scoreline. They can also qualify in second if they draw and Italy and Slovakia draw, and while doing so also score more than Italy (e.g. 1-1 and 0-0.) Should New Zealand and Italy both draw by the exact same scoreline then a drawing of lots will take place to determine qualification. Any other scenario will result in elimination.

Slovakia cannot finish first. They will finish second if they win and New Zealand fail to beat Paraguay. They can also qualify in second place if they win and New Zealand defeat Paraguay, providing that the Slovakians can repair their goal difference deficit over the South Americans.

Group G

Brazil have already qualified for the last 16. A draw is all they need to clinch top spot.

Portugal need only a draw to qualify, but a win will see them top the group. They will also qualify if they lose and Ivory Coast fail to win. They can still lose in the event of an Ivory Coast victory so long as the two results don't result in a swing of nine or more goals. Should Portugal lose 3-0 and Ivory Coast win 6-0 then lots will be drawn to determine who progresses.

Ivory Coast require a win, coupled with a Portugal defeat, which ensures a minimum nine-goal swing to progress. A 6-0 victory and a 3-0 Portugal defeat will be mean a drawing of lots.

North Korea are eliminated.

Group H

Chile only need a draw against Spain to qualify as group winners. They will also progress even if the lose and Switzerland fail to beat Honduras. A win will guarantee top spot.

Spain will qualify top of the group if they defeat Chile by even a single goal and Switzerland do not beat Honduras by two goals or more. If Spain can only draw with Chile, they will only progress if Switzerland fail to beat Honduras. If Spain lose, they can still advance provided Switzerland also lose by an equal or bigger margin.

Switzerland will make the last 16 if they defeat Honduras and Spain can only draw with Chile. If Switzerland only manage a draw, they can still go through if Spain lose to Chile. Switzerland can finish top of the group if they win and Spain beat Chile, but they must have a better goal difference than both Spain and Chile. If Switzerland and Spain are levelled on points, goal difference and goals scored, the Swiss will go through having beaten Spain.

Honduras cannot finish top of the group. They can only finish second if they beat Switzerland and Spain lose to Chile, and they record a better goal difference than the Spaniards.

Day 8 Fearless Predictions

Buoyed by Greece's first ever goal and victory at the World Cup, I slept in, so excuse the late posting of Day 8 Fearless Predictions. That felt good to write. Day 8 sees the Germans in action again against the Serbians while the US battles Slovenia and England takes on Algeria. Should be a great slate of games, so onto the picks, while I am off to the bar to enjoy the fine Toronto weather.

Day 8

Germany - Serbia

Can the Germans continue the form that they showed against Australia? Serbia needs a result in this game especially considering their loss to Ghana and should provide a more formidable defensive presence than the Aussies did. I expect the Germans to continue their fine form and muster a victory. However, the longer the Serbs hold their defensive shape, their confidence will grow and they could sneak a victory.

Germany - Serbia (2-0)

Slovenia - United States

Finally, some trash-talking but who knew it would come from the Slovenians. With a victory Slovenia will all but secure their place into the Round of 16. I expect this to be a tight and nervy affair with both teams intent on their defensive responsibilities and offering very little going forward. The Americans will need more offensive play from their creative players like Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley to break down a sturdy Slovenian defense. This will be a tight affair and end in a draw.

Slovenia - United States (1-1)

England - Algeria

Early reports are all but confirming that David 'Calamity' James will be in goal for the British against Algeria. I do not understand why Fabio Capello does not have faith in youngster Joe Hart. Regardless, the English should in all reality crush the Desert Foxes in the late game. I expect Captain Gerrard to pot a goal, while Wayne Rooney gets his name on the scoreboard coupled with a headed goal from John 'I'll Sex Up Your Girl' Terry. England strolls to victory.

England - Algeria (3-0)

OVERALL RECORD

10-10

Day 3 Fearless Predictions

I promised myself that I am waiting at least 24 hours before offering any sort of commentary on the sorry excuse of a performance by the Greek national team, but hell there are more games to play, so here are some more fearless predictions, although with my current predictive power they might be fearful.

Day 3

Algeria - Slovenia

So far no European team has managed to win a game at the World Cup, so I am bucking the trend and declaring the Slovenians the first European team to win a game in South Africa. Expect a nervy affair with a late goal.

Algeria - Slovenia (0-1)

Serbia - Ghana

In my opinion this is the best game of the day because of the ferocity of the tackling and the ultra aggressive play that both sides will deploy in this match. However, there will be goals and there will be a draw.

Serbia - Ghana (2-2)

Germany - Australia

Here is hoping that one favorite shows up and plays football properly and maybe manages to put away the weaker opposition. So Germany here is your chance, and I expect that they will deliver with a confident performance and win by 3 goals.

Germany - Australia (3-0)

OVERALL RECORD

2-3

Day 2 Fearless Predictions

Let's keep the good times rolling, shall we?

Day 2

South Korea - Greece

Ahh, my beloved Greeks. Remember I am not impartial I am emotionally invested in the game, and I think two headed goals which would be Greece's first goals ever in the World Cup will lead 'The Pirate Ship' to the big win. However, I have been wrong before and will be wrong again, so don't bet on the game.

South Korea - Greece (1-2)

Argentina - Nigeria

This, in my humble opinion, is a walk in the park for the Argentines. Lionel Messi gets his first goal of the tournament and Maxi Rodriguez adds a second while the Nigerians will struggle to form any attempt of what might be considered as an attack on the Argentine net.

Argentina - Nigeria (2-0)

England - United States

Well, this is the big game of the day isn't it? This game will probably draw the largest TV audience ever for a football broadcast in the United States. However, with all the momentum that soccer is building stateside I think the Brits are just too damn talented for a plucky US squad. Should be a great game, but Rooney and Lampard do the honors for the Three Lions on this day.

England - United States (2-1)

OVERALL RECORD

1-1

Group C Preview

Overview:

Group C sees England, the United States, Slovenia and Algeria battle for the top two spots. Many have predicted that England and the US should advance, and I would tend to agree with that notion. The British under Don Fabio Capello are using a 4-2-3-1 formation with Wayne Rooney leading the charge and Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard providing support through the midfield. However, like any British team there is the usual high levels of hype and expectation and anything less than first place for the Three Lions will be viewed as a major disappointment. Furthermore with the exclusions of Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson there is not much depth along the wings. In regards to the United States, the 2010 World Cup represents their easiest path to the Round of 16. Usually, the US is paired with two European heavyweights in prior World Cups. (2006 - Italy & Czech Republic & 2002 - Portugal & Poland) Well, maybe Poland is not a heavyweight, but at the time they were a formidable squad. This version of the US team is also dealing with abnormally high expectations which are evident in the increased television coverage this World Cup is receiving in the United States from ESPN and Sports Illustrated. I mean Peter King, of Monday Morning Quarterback, is going to South Africa to offer analysis. Perhaps the good people at SI can't differentiate between the two types of football, and figured one football expert would be able to relate to the other football. Slovenia qualified for the World Cup by dispatching Gus Hiddink's Russia in the European play-offs. The squad currently have no long-term injuries, one of the few at the tournament, yet they are extremely young and perhaps this squad will be better prepared for 2014 in Brazil. Algeria qualified for the World Cup after their one match play-off with Egypt. With the majority of the Algerian squad plying their trade in France, this squad will have a distinctive Ligue 1 feel to them. Discipline and maintaining one's composure will be instrumental for Algeria's success.

Players To Watch:

England - Wayne Rooney - Rooney is the most talented player England has possessed since probably the days of Paul Gascoigne. This last domestic campaign Rooney benefited the most from Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid and had his highest goal-scoring total with 34 goals in 44 appearances. However, Rooney has a tad of a temper just like Mr. Gascoigne and could be liability at the World Cup if he is not able to manage his emotions.

United States - Clint Dempsey - While Landon Donovan may be receiving the most publicity, in my humble opinion Clint Dempsey is the key man for the Americans. Dempsey just came back from a fantastic campaign helping Fulham to the Europa Final and if on the right form, will provide the secondary scoring that the US has lacked in prior World Cups.

Slovenia - Valter Birsa - Birsa, who currently plays for Auxerre, is a 23 year-old inside-out winger who usually attacks from the right. Birsa in the earlier part of his career struggled as a striker but the transition to winger has beneficial for not only his club side but also for Slovenia throughout the qualifying process.

Algeria - Madjid Bougherra - Bougherra plays in the center of defense for Algeria and Glasgow Rangers and helped lead Algeria to only allow 8 goals in 12 qualifying matches. Bougherra is extremely experienced form his time in the Scottish Premier League and is one of the few players who has the physicality to deal with the strikers from England and the United States.

Projected Order Of Finish:

England

United States
Slovenia
Algeria