Brazil 2014

The predictions may have been wildly inaccurate but here's a piece I put together a couple of weeks ago.

The controversy surrounding Luiz Suarez’s chomp from the shoulder of Giorgio Chiellini and the early exit of the Three Lions should not overshadow what has so far been an excellent World Cup.

The group stage of the competition produced a total of 136 goals, which according to FIFA is a new record and with the serious business set to begin it’s hard to pick a favourite to be crowned world champions.

Hosts Brazil have so far laboured, but have been carried by the flamboyance and goals of poster boy Neymar and are still undefeated as we enter the tournament’s second round.

Fears of domestic disturbance have since been dispelled and although they aren’t firing on all cylinders, the fever of the home support is another weapon in Brazil’s armoury as they bid to be crowned winners in the historic Maracana stadium.

It’s a similar story for the Argentina side who haven’t produced the avalanche of goals expected of them when the draw was made.

However, the Argentines do have Lionel Messi who joins Thomas Muller and Neymar at the top of the scoring charts with four goals.

Messi has always been shadowed with doubts over whether he could replicate his club form on an international level, but a breath-taking set of performances in the group stage has got the Argentina hoping that he can carry them to glory just as Diego Maradona did back in 1986.

The rest of the South American contingent are also looking strong with Chile helping knock out reigning champions Spain and becoming the pick of many neutrals with their high intensity pressing game.

Ecuador have since gone home but Colombia qualified for the quarter finals with a 100% record.

Despite the absence of injured talisman Radamel Falcao, the Colombians stormed through the group scoring nine goals in the process, with James Rodriguez catching the eye with a stunning goal against Japan.

France are also missing a main man in Franck Ribery, but looked ruthlessly efficient in the group stage with no signs on the in-fighting that plagued the camp in South Africa four years ago.

It wouldn’t be fair to mention the word efficient without mentioning Germany.

They dismantled Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the opening game before playing out an entertaining draw with Ghana and then edging out USA to secure their place in the second round.

Belgium have so far failed to hit the heights expected of them but enter the second round unbeaten nonetheless.

As always with the World Cup second round, there are a host of underdogs looking to upset the applecart and one bad day could see a team eliminated.

My Predictions

Brazil v Chile – Chile have looked the more impressive of the two sides so far but Brazil urged on by the passionate home support should just do enough.

Brazil 2 – Chile 1

Colombia v Uruguay – Uruguay will undoubtedly be weakened by the ban of Luis Suarez but the team don’t give a lot away at the back as England will testify. Expect a cracking atmosphere due to the large volumes of fans who travelled the relatively short distance into Brazil.

Colombia 3 – Uruguay 1

Netherlands v Mexico – Can’t look past Netherlands here who have so far been inspired by Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben.

Netherlands 2 – Mexico 0

Costa Rica – Greece

Costa Rica are arguably the surprise package of the tournament so far after being tipped as the whipping boys in the group stage. Greece have also shown that there’s more to them than the defensive reputation that plagued them in the past, it’ll be close.

Costa Rica 1 Greece 2

France v Nigeria

Nigeria have looked pacy and dangerous going forward, but vulnerable at the back and I can’t see anything other than a comfortable French victory.

France 3 Nigeria 1

Germany – Algeria

Algeria are another surprise package and have been led by the performances of Valencia man Sofiane Feghouli, but again, I think Germany will be too strong here and if I was a gambling man I’d get a few quid on Thomas Muller to find the net.

Germany 2 – Algeria 0

Argentina v Switzerland

Xherdan Shaqiri’s hat-trick in the 3-0 dismantling of Honduras proved that the Swiss are a force to be reckoned with. The nucleus of the team rose through the ranks together but with Lionel Messi looking at his best after an injury hit season I think Argentina will advance.

Argentina 2 – Switzerland 1

USA v Belgium

USA look well organised under Jurgen Klinsmann and with Belgium not yet living up to the billing I think this will be close.

USA 0 Belgium 0 (USA to win on penalties)