World Cup Bracket 2014: Latest Predictions for All Groups Before Day 7 Results
From wild finishes to fantastic goals to thrilling back-and-forth matches, the World Cup just doesn't stop delivering.
Tuesday was no exception, either, as Belgium's late comeback shocked Algeria, while Memo Ochoa stunned the hosts with a transcendent performance in goal to cap off one of the best 0-0 draws you'll ever see.
Wednesday features more intrigue with Spain's possession football against Chile's relentless attack, but first, let's take a look at an updated forecast for each group.
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Group A
| 1 | Brazil | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Mexico | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Cameroon | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Croatia | 0 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Brazil entered as the tournament favorites, but they haven't been convincing. Things against Croatia could have easily gone a lot worse, and they drew Mexico Tuesday.
Still, Luiz Felipe Scolari is encouraged by his team's development, via The Mirror's Jack Lang:
A big performance against the group's worst team, Cameroon, is coming, and Selecao will top the group with seven points and a healthy group differential.
Mexico will only need a draw against Croatia, and after Tuesday's really impressive showing—highlighted by Ochoa's career-defining performance—it's clear they can get it.
Predictions: Brazil, Mexico
Group B
| 1 | Netherlands | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Chile | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Australia | 0 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Spain | 0 | -4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Even if Robin Van Persie stops being Superman and Arjen Robben stops being The Flash, the Netherlands are a near lock for the top of the group. They will beat up on Australia, and six points will be enough thanks to a massive goal differential.
The group's runner-up very likely comes down to Wednesday's match between Spain and Chile.
Realistically, the Chileans only need a draw, which is promising considering Spain's tiki-taka style and lack of a consistent threat up top.
However, their propensity to push forward leaves them very susceptible at the back, as was evident against Australia. Spain will take advantage of that and earn a necessary three points.
Prediction: Netherlands, Spain
Group C
| 1 | Colombia | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Ivory Coast | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Japan | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Greece | 0 | -3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
As the probability gurus at Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight.com noted, this group is very close to being decided after both Colombia and Ivory Coast grabbed three points in their openers:
Japan, who led for about 50 minutes against Ivory Coast, certainly has the talent to crash the party, but this one is going to go according to plan.
Prediction: Colombia, Ivory Coast
Group D
| 1 | Costa Rica | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Italy | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | England | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Uruguay | 0 | -2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
This group is in a similar position. Both Costa Rica and Italy earned three points, and as such, hold a major advantage over Uruguay and England.
However, the circumstances are a little different. England, behind encouraging efforts from Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, looked quite good against Italy.
Despite grabbing zero points, many, such as Philippe Auclair and The Independent's Sam Wallace, were tantalized with how the Red Lions looked under Roy Hodgson:
This is undoubtedly one of the most compelling groups. Costa Rica is clearly ready to play spoiler, while Uruguay can't be counted out with Luis Suarez "100 percent" fit.
Ultimately, though, Italy, who looked absolutely fantastic with magician Andrea Pirlo running the show, will finish at the top. And if the youthful England squad continues to play with the aggression they showed last week, they'll find a way to second.
Prediction: Italy, England
Group E
| 1 | France | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Switzerland | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Ecuador | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Honduras | 0 | -3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Although half of the match was against an undermanned Honduras side, France looked tremendous in their opener. Playing without the talismanic Franck Ribery, they showed diversity in the attack, with Karim Benzema, Mathieu Debuchy and Antoine Griezmann all playing well.
Switzerland also earned three points, beating a solid Ecuador side on South American soil.
The only question regarding the top two is the final order, but France looks to have the options in the final third to break down Switzerland's disciplined side.
Prediction: France, Switzerland
Group F
| 1 | Argentina | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Iran | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | Bosnia-Herzegovina | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
We won't spend too much time here. Argentina and Bosnia and Herzegovina are clearly the class of the group.
Heck, even though the latter sits at the bottom of the group, they are still favored to advance, as they have yet to play both Nigeria and Iran, who played to a nondescript, scoreless draw:
The Argentines may have holes at the back that could hurt them down the road, but their attacking trio is the best of the world. Getting nine points should take very little effort.
Prediction: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Group G
| 1 | Germany | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | United States | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Ghana | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Portugal | 0 | -4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
No Marco Reus, no problem. Germany are right behind the Dutch for the best overall performance of the tournament after clinically tearing apart Portugal, 4-0. Yes, the Portuguese were down to 10 men after Pepe did Pepe things, but Joachim Low's side looked plenty dangerous before that.
The Germans will top the group, this I am sure.
Picking a runner-up isn't so easy. The Americans have the edge, but they will likely be without Jozy Altidore against Portugal, leaving them without a target striker who can hold the ball up and bring teammates into the run of play.
That could force possession to once again be limited, and The Guardian's Graham Parker explained why that could spell trouble:
"As it was they had to depend on the type of depleting rearguard action that might have got them through this game, but will be almost impossible to execute successfully against Portugal in Manaus – not just because the Portuguese surely can’t be as bad again as they were in their 4-0 defeat by Germany earlier in the day but because the conditions will be too cruel to play for 90 minutes without the occasional relief and space Altidore provides.
"
Still, Portugal will be without left back Fabio Coentrao (injury) and center back Pepe (red card), while right-back Joao Pereira is on a yellow.
Even with the injuries, the Americans can surely earn at least a draw, putting them in a fantastic spot to advance.
Prediction: Germany, United States
Group H
| 1 | Belgium | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Russia | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | South Korea | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | Algeria | 0 | -1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Belgium looked a bit shaky against Algeria, but some late subs from Marc Wilmots were enough to earn his team three points.
Easily the most talented team in the group, the Belgians will learn from their opener and only improve from here.
As for second place, Algeria is in a difficult spot, but I came away far more impressed with them than Russia or South Korea, who drew after a pair of sloppy goals.
Prediction: Belgium, Algeria
