Day 15 Fearless Predictions

Day 14 saw the defending champions Italy finish behind New Zealand in Group F, think about that for a second. New Zealand have three players who currently don't have professional contracts while the Italians are well the Italians, amazing. So here we go with the final round of group games as Groups G & H come to their conclusion. Three spots are up for grabs with the Brazilians having already punched their ticket for the next round.

Day 15

Portugal - Brazil

The Brazilians have already secured passage to the Round of 16, and may rest some of their players in this match-up against Portugal. However, Brazil's second team still could challenge for a World Cup, especially when it is held outside of Europe. The Portuguese are virtually assured of qualifying for the next round due to their romp over North Korea. This game, I am hoping, will be entertaining and filled with attacking skill and flair.

Portugal - Brazil (0-2)

North Korea - Ivory Coast

Can the Elephants upstage the Portuguese and beat North Korea by a score greater than 7 and make it into the second round? Highly doubtful, but the Ivorians should dominate the North Koreans. My concern is for the safety of the North Korean players especially after their poor showing in the Portugal match.

North Korea - Ivory Coast (0-3)

Switzerland - Honduras

The Swiss will be looking for a win in their match-up against Honduras and hope for a Chilean victory over the Spanish to give them a chance for the Round of 16. Even with a tie and a Spanish loss the Swiss will still make the next round of play. Honduras are virtually all but eliminated from the World Cup and might look to squeeze a result to satisfy their fans.

Switzerland - Honduras (1-0)

Chile - Spain

The Chileans with a victory or draw will make it 5 for 5 for South American teams advancing to the Round of 16. Meanwhile, the Spanish will look to beat the Chileans to avoid playing Brazil in the next round. This will be an attacking game that could see goals and excitement throughout the park. A perfect game to end the group stage.

Chile - Spain (2-3)

OVERALL RECORD

22-22

Day 11 Fearless Predictions

Italy ties New Zealand and with that we have officially welcomed you to the World Cup of randomness. I am not sure what to make of all these supposedly football powerhouses playing so poorly, maybe they are just not very good. Regardless, the Brazilians looked great in their victory over the Ivory Coast and Paraguay continued South America's fantastic form with a deserved victory over Slovakia. Day 11 sees the Iberian peninsula in action while Chile & Switzerland will look to seize control in Group H. Onto the picks!

Day 11

Portugal - North Korea

With Brazil's victory over the Ivory Coast, the Portuguese need to win this game and win the game convincingly in order to secure second place in the group and a potential first round match-up against the winner of the Chile & Switzerland match-up later in the afternoon. I expect Portugal to overcome North Korea with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring his first goal for Portugal in 18 months.

Portugal - North Korea (2-0)

Chile - Switzerland

The winner of this game will be in pole position to finish in first place in Group H. Chile play a very attacking possession style of football. The spine of the team is the same as the 3rd place team from the 2007 U20 World Cup in Toronto, and the majority of those players are playing in Europe's top leagues. The Swiss will keep their defensive structure and try to hit Chile on the counterattack or via the set-piece. Keep in mind that the Swiss have not conceded a goal in their previous 5 World Cup matches, phenomenal.

Chile - Switzerland (1-0)

Spain - Honduras

Perhaps everyone has overrated Spain, but this is still an immensely talented team that won the Euro in 2008. However, could they be tired? The majority of their players play in La Liga and the Champions League, and participation in both competitions is strenuous and energy sapping. Regardless Spain should and must win against Honduras. I expect the Spanish to play a little more direct, not always looking for the perfect goal, and eventually dominate Honduras.

Spain - Honduras (3-0)

OVERALL RECORD

14-15

Day 6 Fearless Predictions

Day 6 sees Group H finally take the field for their first games at the World Cup. Furthermore, the Bafana Bafana are back in action against Uruguay. After Day 6, every team will have at least played one game, so be sure to expect an updated Panos Rankings coupled with a State of Play piece on the quality scene on the pitch at the World. Onto the games!

Day 6

Honduras - Chile

Everything about this game screams wide open attacking football. Both teams love to attack and all we can hope for is our first wide open game at the World Cup. But for some reason nothing is going according to plan, so with absolutely no logic I see Chile scoring twice and beating Honduras in the early match.

Honduras - Chile (0-2)

Spain - Switzerland

Brazil was not quite Brazil against a determined North Korean squad, so here is hoping that Spain can re-affirm its favorite status with an exquisite performance of attacking flair. The Swiss are missing several key players in Frei and Behrami and will find it tough against a Spanish side that is also missing Iniesta and Torres.

Spain - Switzerland (2-0)

South Africa - Uruguay

The Bafana Bafana are still undefeated in 16 games now after their opening round match against Mexico. Buoyed by the vuvuzelas and the rowdy crowd I expect South Africa to score an early goal and hold for the victory. Uruguay are currently lacking creativity in the midfield and with the red card to Nicolas Lodeiro their options are limited.

South Africa - Uruguay (1-0)

OVERALL

7-7

Group H Preview

Overview:

Here we are with the final group left to be previewed with Group H. Group H contains one of this year's World Cup favorites, Spain. La Furia Rioja will be a treat to watch in South Africa especially considering the offensive firepower that is at their disposal. Led by their midfield, Spain will rely on Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas to pull the strings in the middle with David Villa and Fernando Torres asked to score the goals. Spain is led by their captain Iker Casillas who has constantly been rated as one of the top keepers in the world. Switzerland, Chile and Honduras will be expected to battle for the second spot behind Spain. The Swiss are led by the former FC Bayern gaffer Omar Hitzfield. Hitzfield has instilled a sense of discipline within the squad yet with such a young squad perhaps the time for the Swiss success will come in four years. The Chileans are an interesting story. Their coach is ex-Argentina supremo Marcelo Bielsa and he has led the team to second place in COMMEBOL qualifying. However, the Chileans have yet to remedy a leaky defense and this could potentially lead to their downfall. Chile will also look to Humberto Suazo for the goals and I fully expect a strong tournament from this forward. Honduras have qualified for the World Cup only once before in 1982 and thanks to a 92nd minute goal from the US against Costa Rica they were able to punch their ticket to South Africa. Honduras are led by Wilson Palacios, Amado Guevara and Maynor Figueroa. Guevara is an ex-TFC player who asked for his release from the MLS club in order to prepare for the World Cup and this would undoubtedly be his greatest highlight in professional football.

Players To Watch:

Spain - Xavi - Quite simply the best creative midfielder in the world, Xavi will be responsible for pulling the strings for the Spanish. The Barcelona star will have free reign from the coaches of Spain and much is expected from his at this tournament.

Switzerland - Gokhan Inler - Inler currently plays for Udinese in the Italian Serie A and with a strong World Cup he will not be playing their anymore as one of the big teams will surely snatch him up. Inler is of Turkish decent and is a creative playmaker who is not hesitant to get stuck in with a hard tackle.

Chile - Humberto Suazo - Suazo is a striker who plays in Spain with Real Zaragoza.  This 29 year-old is the key front man for the Chileans and although he is carrying a knock into the tournament he should be ready to go for the first game against Honduras.

Honduras - Wilson Palacios - Palacios might be more well known for his personal life and the numerous kidnappings that have occurred to his family. Palacios plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the EPL and this creative winger represents one of Honduras' greatest talents.

Projected Order Of Finish:

Spain

Chile

Switzerland

Honduras