***Official*** World Cup Prediction Thread

[GasX]

The 2006 World Cup is just a month away. For most of the world this is the biggest sporting event going. I, for one, will be taking a day or two off work to go into NYC to get absolutely trashed while cheering for England. Who are you rooting for? Who do you think will win? Will the Iranians get tortured when they go home losers (they did under Saddam!)?

Groups And Standings at Official Site

update:

World Cup Preview Videos:

Everyone vs. Brazil
Jim McKay's Preview for ESPN

Join the ATOT Pool

 

[astrosfan90]

Day or two off? Pfft. I'm flying to Frankfurt to train down to Kaiserslautern for USA vs. Italy.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: astrosfan90
Day or two off? Pfft. I'm flying to Frankfurt to train down to Kaiserslautern for USA vs. Italy.

I couldn't be more jealous. I had made a promise to myself to go to this World Cup, but the birth of my son put the Kibosh on that... Actually, my wife would have let me leave them and go, but I couldn't get tickets and the $1000 per aftermarket is too rich for my blood.

Biggest matches of Round 1:

Italy vs. USA
Argentina vs. Netherlands
England vs. Sweden

Group E is going to be a fight to get through to round 2!

 

[DVad3r]

Im Polish so Ill be cheering for my own team although they have a hard team in their group. I also got a 100 $ bet going with my friend who's from Ecuador on what team will end up going through. Should be fun.

If Poland goes out Ill root for Germany!

 

[GasX]

I assume Poland has bolstered its defense since 1939?

 

[RKS]

I'll be flying my St. George's Cross right under the Stars and Stripes but England's hopes were 'broken' a week ago with the Rooney injury.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Does Vegas do odds for the World Cup? I can't imagine they wouldn't.

Anyone who isn't blocked from sports-related sites like me care to please post the current lines for the outright winner?

I'm thinking Brazil and Czech Republic will be near the top...

 

[Cristatus]

Italy;
F - Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan;
I am dumb enough to think >5 is possible;
This is a question?

I think Croatia usually does good too though. England, France, and Brazil, as well as Germany seem the biggest fighters, but for some reason, I really think Italy is going to win.

 

[HigherGround]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
... trashed while cheering for England.

is this why you spelled england in all caps and France is the only nation, which name does not begin with a capital letter?

 

[ngvepforever2]

damn! I 'm gonna be in Illinois during the world cup. Nonetheless, I'll make sure to keep up to date. I still remembered the first world cup I watched back in 94 (I was 9) it was so fricking exciting. Now, as always, I'll be rooting for Brazil (come on! who's not rooting for Brazil?) A final of Brazil vs Germany would be awesome, or Brazil vs Argentina. It'd be pretty awesome if one of the newbie teams advance into the semifinals (who doesn't love an underdog? ). This is going to be a pretty exciting World Cup. I have been waiting 4 years and now it's here. I just can't imagine how beautiful the goals are gonna be! Not to mention that I am expecting USA to make a decent job and taking its team at least to the quarter finals or probably the semi finals (that'd be amazing to watch)
Only a month away...

Regards

ng

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: HigherGround

Originally posted by: Mwilding
... trashed while cheering for England.

is this why you spelled england in all caps and France is the only nation, which name does not begin with a capital letter?

Did I really do that?

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I assume Poland has bolstered its defense since 1939?

The Germans made us play on the muddy/water infested side of the field! At least that's what my grandpa tells me.

 

[alphatarget1]

IMO: Brazilian soccer fans who are not Brazilians are just fair weather fans. Kinda like Red Wings fans not living in Detroit.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: hungfarover
Does Vegas do odds for the World Cup? I can't imagine they wouldn't.

Anyone who isn't blocked from sports-related sites like me care to please post the current lines for the outright winner?

I'm thinking Brazil and Czech Republic will be near the top...

I am looking at Tradesports.com which uses a buy/sell contracts system that you can trade right up to the final whistle. Odds and contract prices are therefore very dynamic, but here are some highlights:

Brazil: 4.00 : 1
England 9.9 : 1
Argentina 9.26 : 1
Italy 10.75 : 1
France 15.15 : 1
Holland 17.24 : 1
Spain 18.52 : 1
Portugal 27.03 : 1
Czech 35.71 : 1
Mexico 47.62 : 1
USA 90.91 : 1

 

[spherrod]

Can't wait for it to begin, even without Rooney England still have a good chance. Will be interesting to see what formation they choose without him, personally I'd go to a 4-5-1 and drop Michael Carrick in to midfield so Gerrard and Lampard can be released further forward.

Brazil are the team to beat, but defensively they are not that strong. Find a way to stop Ronaldinho et al playing and pressurising their defence should cause them enough problems.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: Mwilding
I assume Poland has bolstered its defense since 1939?

hahahhahah!!!


anyways, why is England capped? you know they don't stand a chance... the best they could do is Quarter Finals.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: spherrod
Find a way to stop Ronaldinho...

I wish it was just that easy!

Have you seen the video of that guy bouncing the ball off the posts from 30 yeards out? If it is not faked, it is an awesome display.

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: spherrod
Find a way to stop Ronaldinho...

I wish it was just that easy!

Have you seen the video of that guy bouncing the ball off the posts from 30 yeards out? If it is not faked, it is an awesome display.

yeah, he's an awesome player no question. But stop his supply, cramp his space and put their weak defence and goalkeeper under pressure - against a high tempo game they are certainly beatable.

It should be a great festival of football - England have a better squad than 2002 (even without Rooney) and the conditions should suit them. It's imperative they get off to a good start and build momentum in the group stages though.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: spherrod
Find a way to stop Ronaldinho...

I wish it was just that easy!

Have you seen the video of that guy bouncing the ball off the posts from 30 yeards out? If it is not faked, it is an awesome display.

yeah, he's an awesome player no question. But stop his supply, cramp his space and put their weak defence and goalkeeper under pressure - against a high tempo game they are certainly beatable.

It should be a great festival of football - England have a better squad than 2002 (even without Rooney) and the conditions should suit them. It's imperative they get off to a good start and build momentum in the group stages though.

How about we roll out Gazza to stomp on his metacarsals?

 

[spherrod]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: spherrod

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: spherrod
Find a way to stop Ronaldinho...

I wish it was just that easy!

Have you seen the video of that guy bouncing the ball off the posts from 30 yeards out? If it is not faked, it is an awesome display.

yeah, he's an awesome player no question. But stop his supply, cramp his space and put their weak defence and goalkeeper under pressure - against a high tempo game they are certainly beatable.

It should be a great festival of football - England have a better squad than 2002 (even without Rooney) and the conditions should suit them. It's imperative they get off to a good start and build momentum in the group stages though.

How about we roll out Gazza to stomp on his metacarsals?

lol - if only England had a Roy Keane like figure to mark him!

 

[CPA]

This American, living on American soil is routing for the good ol' USA. I suggest the rest of you American's do also.


/flamesuit on

 

[Baked]

- Brazil for the repeat.
- USA will win ZERO games.
- 3 Goals.
- Can I have some of what you're smoking?

 

[kalster]

england always chokes in the big games

They have some striker problems, who will they replace rooney with , crouch (?), bent (?). owen is coming of injury as welll. they are very strong in midfield but they dont have a go to stiker, like a totti, del piero, henry,

if Italy can hold their nerves they have a great chance, their defence is always solid anyway

 

[CPA]

Originally posted by: Baked
- Brazil for the repeat.
- USA will win ZERO games.
- 3 Goals.
- Can I have some of what you're smoking?

US is currently ranked 4th in the world and they will win ZERO games? I think you're the one baked, baked.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: hungfarover
Does Vegas do odds for the World Cup? I can't imagine they wouldn't.

Anyone who isn't blocked from sports-related sites like me care to please post the current lines for the outright winner?

I'm thinking Brazil and Czech Republic will be near the top...

I am looking at Tradesports.com which uses a buy/sell contracts system that you can trade right up to the final whistle. Odds and contract prices are therefore very dynamic, but here are some highlights:

Brazil: 4.00 : 1
England 9.9 : 1
Argentina 9.26 : 1
Italy 10.75 : 1
France 15.15 : 1
Holland 17.24 : 1
Spain 18.52 : 1
Portugal 27.03 : 1
Czech 35.71 : 1
Mexico 47.62 : 1
USA 90.91 : 1

Thanks. I'm surprised with Rooney's injury coupled with the England choke-factor that they're that close to the top...but then again that's why I'm no odds-maker.

Can't wait for it to start.