World Cup 2010 Predictions: Players To Watch, From Wayne Rooney To Hong Yong-Jo

With the World Cup quickly approaching we are all not fully aware of which players make their national teams tick and which are the ones to look out for. So if you are just eager to watch the World Cup or a manger trying to sign players, here’s a list of the talent to keep your eye on as well as their team’s chances of progression.

GROUP A

SOUTH AFRICA

Key player: Katlego Mphela

One to watch: Thanduyise Kuboni

Chance of Progression: 7/10. Home soil advantage and a good run-up to the World Cup put the hosts in good stead.

FRANCE

Key player: Patrice Evra

One to watch: Yoann Gorcuff

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. Shaky qualification and wrong manager but talent in the squad should get them through.

MEXICO

Key player: Gerardo Torrado

One to watch: Javier Hernandez

Chance of Progression: 7/10. Talented squad and will be fighting with the hosts for a place in the last 16. The opening game is decisive.

URUGUAY

Key player: Diego Forlan

One to watch: Edinson Cavani

Chance of Progression: 6.5/10. Very tight group and Uruguay are my outsiders.

GROUP B

ARGENTINA

Key player: Lionel Messi

One to watch: Angel Di Maria

Chance of Progression: 8/10. Not a bad group at all but Argentina should rise above the challenge.

NIGERIA

Key player: Taye Taiwo

One to watch: Kalu Uche

Chance of Progression: 7/10. Decent squad but will fall short and claim third place.

KOREA REPUBLIC

Key player: Ji-Sung Park

One to watch: Chung-Yong Lee

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. As always, a very efficient squad and will claim second place.

GREECE

Key player: Giorgos Karagounis

One to watch: Sotoris Ninis

Chance of Progression: 6.5/10. They stand a decent chance of qualifying but in my view they are the fourth best in group B.

GROUP C

ENGLAND

Key player: Wayne Rooney

One to watch: James Milner

Chance of Progression: 9/10. Not as challenging as the other groups and Fabio Capello’s men should progress with ease.

USA

Key player: Landon Donovan

One to watch: Edson Buddle

Chance of Progression: 8/10. Only real threat to England and makes for an intriguing opening to group C.

ALGERIA

Key player: Nadir Belhadj

One to watch: Karim Ziani

Chance of Progression: 6/10. The Algerians are capable of causing an upset but it is unlikely. Third place.

SLOVENIA

Key player: Robert Koren

One to watch: Samir Handanovic

Chance of Progression: 5/10. Another minnow in the group and I think they will struggle.

GROUP D

GERMANY

Key player: Bastian Shweinsteiger

One to watch: Mesut Ozil

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. My group of death but I think Germany’s efficiency and talent will send them through.

GHANA

Key player: Sulley Muntari

One to watch: Andre Ayew

Chance of Progression: 6.5/10. A lot has changed since Germany 2006 and I feel the Black Stars will fall short.

AUSTRALIA

Key player: Tim Cahill

One to watch: Brett Holman

Chance of Progression: 6.5/10. Talented squad in a tough group.

SERBIA

Key player: Nemanja Vidic

One to watch: Milos Krasic

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. The Serbians are my dark horses and I think a quarter-final or even semi-final berth is on the cards.

GROUP E

NETHERLANDS

Key player: Mark Van Bommel

One to watch: Eljero Elia

Chance of Progression: 8/10. Great attacking squad who thrive in the early stages, will top the group.

DENMARK

Key player:   Nicklas Bendtner

One to watch: Simon Kjaer

Chance of Progression: 7/10. Will push Japan all the way to second place.

JAPAN

Key player: Keisuke Honda

One to watch: Yasuhito Endo

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. Work well as a unit and I see them advancing in second place.

CAMEROON

Key player: Samuel Eto’o

One to watch: Enoh Eyong

Chance of Progression: 6.5/10. I’m not too impressed with this squad but the Indomitable Lions have the spirit and talent to cause an upset.

GROUP F

ITALY

Key player: Andrea Pirlo

One to watch: Claudio Marchisio

Chance of Progression: 8/10. World champions will back themselves to top the group despite dodgy performances in recent times.

PARAGUAY

Key player: Christian Riveros

One to watch: Oscar Cardozo

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. Very good qualifying round and have the ability to beat Italy to that top spot.

NEW ZEALAND

Key player: Ryan Nelsen

One to watch: Rory Fallon

Chance of Progression: 1/10. The experience of the Confederations Cup gives them some kind of hope but I don’t see them accumulating any points.

SLOVAKIA

Key player: Marek Hamsik

One to watch: Miroslav Stoch

Chance of Progression: 6.5/10. Very able to cause an upset, talented squad but will short of Paraguay and the experienced Italians.

GROUP G

BRAZIL

Key player: Kaka

One to watch: Michel Bastos

Chance of Progression: 8.5/10. A very strong group so there is no room for error, but the Brazilians will triumph in the group stages as is expected of them.  

KOREA DPR

Key player: Nam Song-Chol

One to watch: Hong Yong-Jo

Chance of Progression: 0/10. Harsh but true. The North Koreans have no chance and will just be happy that they get to face such quality opponents.

PORTUGAL

Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo

One to watch: Duda

Chance of Progression: 7/10. Terrible qualifying run and will fall short fall of qualification. Would it be the shock of the tournament? Well, not for me.

IVORY COAST

Key player: Didier Drogba

One to watch: Gervinho

Chance of Progression: 7.5/10. Drogba might miss the opening game but this is a talented squad that will cope with the loss and beat Portugal on June 15.

GROUP H

SPAIN

Key player: Xavi

One to watch: Javier Martinez

Chance of Progression: 10/10. My favorites to land the trophy and the only thing that might set them back would be having too much of talent; yes, it can be a problem.

SWITZERLAND

Key player: Valon Behrami

One to watch: Gokhan Inler

Chance of Progression: 6/10. Will rival Chile for second place but will fall short.

HONDURAS

Key player: Wilson Palacios

One to watch: Julio Cesar de Leon

 

Chance of Progression: 2/10. Weak side in a strong group.

 

CHILE

 

Key player: Humberto Suazo