World Cup Bracket 2014: Latest Predictions for All Groups Before Day 13 Results
Four down, 12 to go.
Brazil and Mexico secured spots in the Round of 16 on Monday, while Netherlands and Chile joined them out of Group B.
The bracket is only just starting to take shape, but we already have two tantalizing matchups. Brazil vs. Chile: A South American battle between two teams dangerous on the attack and susceptible in the back. Netherlands vs. Mexico: A team that has scored 10 goals vs. a team that has allowed just one.
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Excitement is already high for the knockout stages, but before we get ahead of ourselves, let's take a gander at the outlook for each group.
Group A
| 1 | Brazil | 7 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| 2 | Mexico | 7 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 3 | Croatia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | Cameroon | 0 | -8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 9 |
Brazil and Mexico are through to the Round of 16, with the former taking the group on goal differential.
Group B
| 1 | Netherlands | 9 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| 2 | Chile | 6 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 |
| 3 | Spain | 3 | -3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 |
| 4 | Australia | 0 | -6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
Netherlands poured in 10 goals in their three matches to capture all nine points, while Chile earned a runners-up spot despite their loss to Oranje Monday night.
Group C
| 1 | Colombia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 |
| 2 | Ivory Coast | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Japan | 1 | -1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | Greece | 1 | -3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
Colombia are comfortably at the top. Even if they somehow lose to Japan, Ivory Coast would have to break down Greece's stingy defense enough to make up a four-goal difference.
Speaking of that Greek bunker defense, manager Fernando Santos told reporters, via The Guardian's Andy Hunter, he isn't willing to adapt his team's style, even with the necessity to grab three points:
"People who say these things [about change] don’t know about football. After 10 years the Greek team has developed a way to play. Nobody changes their style in two or three days. We have worked for years on our style of play and there are great things about it. In the last 10 years we have won the European Championships [in 2004] and been present in the last four international competitions. We have to believe in our DNA and bring to the pitch all the qualities we have because it is these qualities that have brought us to Brazil. You don’t just abandon it and start again overnight.
"
Ivory Coast will have no trouble getting a result and advancing.
Prediction: Colombia, Ivory Coast
Group D
| 1 | Costa Rica | 6 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| 2 | Italy | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Uruguay | 3 | -1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | England | 0 | -2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Just like everyone predicted, Costa Rica is in position to top the "Group of Champions." Barring a loss to England and a win by Italy or Uruguay that erases a significant gap in goal differential, the Ticos will advance to play the runners-up in Group C.
Who joins them will come down to Italy vs. Uruguay.
The Italians are in a better position. They can advance with a draw and are capable of dominating possession in the midfield and limiting scoring opportunities.
Ultimately, though, Italy's back four has question marks, and it will be too difficult to contain Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani for a full 90 minutes.
Prediction: Costa Rica, Uruguay
Group E
| 1 | France | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 2 | Ecuador | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 3 | -2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | Honduras | 0 | -4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
France have so many attacking options and have looked tantalizingly clinical thus far. Even if they put out a less-than-full-strength starting XI, they won't lose to Ecuador, let alone by more than three goals.
That means Switzerland will simply have to get a draw against Honduras. The Catrachos played well against Ecuador, and probably didn't deserve zero points, but the Swiss are a much more talented side, despite the shellacking against France.
Prediction: France, Switzerland
Group F
| 1 | Argentina | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Iran | 1 | -1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 0 | -2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
Argentina have hardly looked convincing in their wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iran, but six points is six points. A result against Nigeria, and they'll be through.
The second spot is a little less clear, as ESPN's Paul Carr noted:
Iran's loss to Albiceleste highlighted the cruelty of this sport. They played well enough for 90 minutes, and deserved a point, but then Lionel Messi, the world's best player, took matters into his own feet and transcended his team.
Still, Iran have shown enough to suggest they can beat Bosnia and Herzegovina, a team that is more talented but playing for nothing.
Iran get the 1-0 win, while Argentina make a statement after an uninspiring start with a two-goal victory over Nigeria. Now, quick, on to the next group before I change my mind.
Prediction: Argentina, Iran
Group G
| 1 | Germany | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 2 | United States | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 |
| 3 | Ghana | 1 | -1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | Portugal | 1 | -4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
Some have suggested that the German-born Jurgen Klinsmann will strike up a deal with Germany to play to a draw, ensuring both the Germans and Americans advance to the Round of 16.
Klinsmann, of course, has denied such claims, per Yahoo! Sports' Dan Wetzel:
Nevertheless, while the United States had their hearts broken in the final seconds against Portugal, they are still in tremendous shape to advance, as Nate Silver's FiveThirtyEight.com noted:
Prediction: Germany, United States
Group H
| 1 | Belgium | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | Algeria | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 4 |
| 3 | Russia | 1 | -1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 4 | South Korea | 1 | -2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 |
Belgium have yet to live up to their talent level, needing late goals in both of their opening matches to squeak out wins. A matchup with bottom-dwellers South Korea, however, should be enough to move their confidence to a high level and assure a spot at the top of the group.
Russia certainly has the talent to beat Algeria and steal the second spot, but to me, Vahid Halilhodzic's young team has been the most impressive so far in this group. They'll get the result they need.
Prediction: Belgium, Algeria
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