Women's World Cup Panos Power Rankings - Edition #2

With the group stages completed at the Women's World Cup, I must say I have been captivated by the tournament. The level of play has surprised me and the lack of the theatrics that mar that men's game are not on display. The three big favorites still remain in Germany, the United States and Brazil with the only surprise, if you can even call it that, is that Canada were sent home early. Of course with the conclusion of the group stage, there is only one thing left to do . . . here are the PBP Power Rankings, Edition #2.

Fearless Predictions - Women's World Cup - Day 10

First of all I would like to extend my apologies to the loyal followers of Posts By Panos, because as I assumed the Day 9 fearless predictions did not post. Of course, any betting losses that have been incurred, just be sure to put it on my tab. But if you are betting on the Women's World Cup and relying on me for your advice well you have bigger problems than a couple lost dollars.

Fearless Predictions - Women's World Cup - Day 7

Quite the run that Posts By Panos are on with our fearless predictions. I wonder if it can actually be lucrative moving forward. Since I am still on vacation, here are tomorrow's fearless predictions, albeit truncated.

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 Panos Power Rankings - Edition #1

With a couple days to go before the start of the Women's World Cup it is time for a Posts By Panos tradition as we present the first edition of the Women's World Cup Power Rankings. Enjoy!

Sidenote: Odds are given as a multiplier and were taken from www.betbrain.com

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.

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

North Korea's Coverage At The World Cup

Because North Korea is playing their final game tomorrow morning against the Ivory Coast, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to show the coverage the World Cup is getting in North Korea. Enjoy!

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 5 Fearless Predictions

I am going to congratulate myself for climbing above .500. Now, if only I could make some money on my selections. Day 5 sees favorites Brazil in action and lightweights New Zealand and North Korea take to the field.  Hopefully the North Koreans back in Pyongyang will be able to watch the game.

Day 5

New Zealand - Slovakia

The Kiwis are in action for the first time in a World Cup since 1982 and will be battling Slovakia for a chance to top Group F after Italy and Paraguay battled to a 1-1 draw. I see the Slovaks easing to victory with a goal and assist from Napoli star Marek Hamsik.

New Zealand - Slovakia (0-2)

Ivory Coast - Portugal

Hands down the game of the day and probably the most important game for both teams at the World Cup. Victory for either the Ivory Coast or Portugal will put that team in pole position for second place in Group G behind Brazil. I believe that Sven's team will be able to put away the Portuguese and walk away with a 2-1 victory with Captain Courageous Drogba on song.

Ivory Coast - Portugal (2-1)

Brazil - North Korea

The samba boys are in action for the first time and will be facing the North Koreans and the 'People's Rooney' in Jong Tae-Se. Brazil will have difficulty breaking down the North Koreans, only in the first half. Expect the floodgates to open in the second as Brazil should win comfortably.

Brazil - North Korea (3-0)

OVERALL RECORD

6-5

Group G Preview

Overview:

Group G has been labeled the 'Group of Death' by pundits across the globe, and one cannot disagree, especially with traditional powers Brazil and Portugal  battling along with what is considered the best African team in the tournament in the form of Ivory Coast. However, it is my lonely opinion that a traditional 'Group of Death' must have four good to great teams involved, and with no offense to the North Korean regime (don't censor me) we are dealing with three and not four good to great teams in this group. The Brazilians are the favorites, no doubt about it. But this isn't your father's Brazil that had a penchant for flair, creativity and artistic football. This is a rigid Brazil that favors the defensive midfielder, ahhh the horror. However, let's also be realistic Brazil is Brazil and they have most talented players in the world. Put 11 Brazilian goalkeepers on your national team, and voila you have qualified for the World Cup. If there is one team I despise at the World Cup it is Portugal. Maybe it goes back to Euro 2004, or does it start with Luis Figo and then Cristiano Ronaldo? Whatever the reason is, I won't give Portugal its proper respect and will continuously rate them lower than most. What scares me about this version of the Portuguese squad is that they haven't played anywhere close to their talent level. They barely squeezed through qualifying by narrowly beating Bosnia & Herzegovina in the European play-offs and have played rather poorly in the friendlies leading to the World Cup. The Ivory Coast is the most talented African team at the World Cup, especially with a healthy Didier Drogba who is battling back from a broken elbow. The Elephants are lead by the Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya who form the spine of the squad. Without Drogba it will be tough for the Ivory Coast to score goals and those responsibilities will fall on Chelsea's Salomon Kalou. I have to be truthful here, I really do not know much about North Korea. But let me share this with my readers, Kim Jong II will only show positive highlights on national television during North Korea's participation at the World Cup, so if North Korea loses a game 5-1, will its people think they won 1-0?

Players To Watch:

Brazil - Robinho - Even though Dunga has developed a very workmanlike attitude with this version of Brazil, Robinho is the squad's creative outlet. After a poor domestic campaign with Manchester City, Robinho can reignite his career with a strong showing at the World Cup.

Portugal - Liedson - This Brazilian born player represents Portugal's latest reincarnation of the center forward. For years, perhaps even decades Portugal has lacked a striker with the ability to actual score goals. Here's hoping Liedson can fulfill the role.

Ivory - Yaya Toure - The Barcelona midfielder is the key cog in the center of the park for the Ivory Coast. Although Toure is known primarily for his defensive duties he does have the ability to be creative and pop in with a goal. Manchester City are rumored to have made a massive bid for his services and team him up with his brother Kolo Toure.

North Korea - Jong Tae-Se - Labelled the 'People's Rooney' for his propensity to score stunning goals, albeit against weaker opposition, and for his burly stature, Jong Tae-Se is North Korea's most talented player. If he can score a goal or two look for him to reach 'Chairman' status in North Korea.

Projected Order Of Finish:

Brazil

Ivory Coast

Portugal

North Korea