I'd say Argentina but there are really about 10 teams who have a good shot.
Who will win the World Cup ?
- Thread starter Raoul
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By SA I meant South America and not South Africa.
Oh. Well, they finished second behind Argentina.By SA I meant South America and not South Africa.
Portugal
Would love to see Ronny lift it
Would love to see Ronny lift it
I think Spain will do it again, they have a phenomenal squad to pick from,would like to see Portugal win it too but Spain to beat Brazil in the final 3-1.
Spain really have more quality than anyone. They are so much better than even Germany on paper it is staggering really.
Argentina are getting a big shout, I'm not up to speed with them, I see Tevez didn't make the squad suggesting strength in depth. I voted Brazil on the basis of home advantage and a relatively strong team. I think it's up for grabs though, and Spain, Germany and Holland could do well.
As an England fan I naturally think we are out at the group stage, and that we'll get royally bummed by every team we play.
As an England fan I naturally think we are out at the group stage, and that we'll get royally bummed by every team we play.
My top 4 would have to be
1st- Spain (Overloaded with talent)
2nd- Germany (Same as above)
3rd- Argentina (Have the best player ever)
4th- Brazil (Home ground)
1st- Spain (Overloaded with talent)
2nd- Germany (Same as above)
3rd- Argentina (Have the best player ever)
4th- Brazil (Home ground)
Why can't the Newbies vote?
Anyways I am hoping that Ronaldo leads Portugal to WC glory, but Brazil, Spain and the Germans have to be the favorites.
Anyways I am hoping that Ronaldo leads Portugal to WC glory, but Brazil, Spain and the Germans have to be the favorites.
Is geography really still an issue in this day and age?
Is geography really still an issue in this day and age?
Spain. And I'm surprised they're not heavy favourites tbh. I know the likes of xavi and iniesta have declined since the last tournament, but their squad is still so much better than anyone else's and I fully expect them to pass their way to glory and bore everyone to years along the way.
Geography isn't some sort of archaic concept that is time sensitive. You have to look at Brazil in its totality, not just by analyzing individual squad players. First, they are coming into the WC having only lost twice in the past 15 months, having won the Confederations Cup convincingly over the current WC holders, having a manager who has won the WC with Brazil before, taken Portugal to the Euro finals and WC semis, and just won the Confed cup with Brazil. If you take these factors into consideration, and add the atmosphere the home fans are going to bring to the games, it's no surprise they are considered favorites. I'm sure the Argies, Spain, Uruguay, and Germany will have something to say about it, but its Brazil's to lose imo.
You just have to fancy Spain, there's no getting away from it. However, Brazil and Argentina are also good shouts.
If you see the argentina's squad, you will see Franco Di Santo on that list. Tevez of course better than Di Santo. Some rumours said that tevez has a problem with the coach, he never call him in NT since 2011
I just don't see it with Argentina to be honest and I don't think they can win it. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see them exit before the semis. I also reckon, although a massive boost, being at home will bring about tremendous pressure for Brazil and they might crack under it.
No European team has ever won it in South America, however Spain's possession football will be a massive advantage for them in the heat. Add to that the incredible squad and depth they have and they are still favourites for me. No European had won it outside of Europe prior to 2010 either, but they made it!
No European team has ever won it in South America, however Spain's possession football will be a massive advantage for them in the heat. Add to that the incredible squad and depth they have and they are still favourites for me. No European had won it outside of Europe prior to 2010 either, but they made it!
Argentina to beat Brazil in the final!
Argentina, for me. Defence isn't great but their group will be a glorified training session and after that they'll probably face Belgium or Portugal who they should beat
Also have the best player in the world
Also have the best player in the world
A South American team.
People have voted for Nigeria, Japan and Ecuador. 
My head says Brazil but my heart says Chile (if Vidal is fit).
I went with my heart.
I went with my heart.
My pick is Brazil, playing in their own back yard, got to be a piece of cake for them.
I think France will do well, people seem to have written them off but they have a good squad on paper, although they won't win it.
I think France will do well, people seem to have written them off but they have a good squad on paper, although they won't win it.
Voted France, along with @Scorpy, he better not be an idiot.
I voted for Germany and I still maintain that they'll win it but I can see why most people have chosen Brazil. They'll be used to the climate, they're the home nation and, most importantly of all, they have a good side that's been in impressive form lately.
The main reason I'm not going for them though is that I think they will rely quite heavily on Neymar to produce the goods. Like I said, they have a good team but it's nowhere near as good as the past Brazil teams and if he struggles to cope with the pressure of the being the undisputed main man for the home nation, which I think is quite likely given how football-mad Brazil is as a country, then I can see them struggling a bit.
I still think they'll go far though and I wouldn't be surprised if they win it. It's good that a lot of teams have a decent chance this year, in 2010 is just seemed obvious that Spain would win it from the start.
The main reason I'm not going for them though is that I think they will rely quite heavily on Neymar to produce the goods. Like I said, they have a good team but it's nowhere near as good as the past Brazil teams and if he struggles to cope with the pressure of the being the undisputed main man for the home nation, which I think is quite likely given how football-mad Brazil is as a country, then I can see them struggling a bit.
I still think they'll go far though and I wouldn't be surprised if they win it. It's good that a lot of teams have a decent chance this year, in 2010 is just seemed obvious that Spain would win it from the start.
Spain @ 7/1 with Paddy power looks cracking value to me. If they go a goal ahead they're almost unbeatable in tournament football and even though Xavi is getting on a bit, their squad is unreal and with the addition of Costa they've strengthened a major weakness. They look stroinger at fullback now too.
Germany.
I can't register a vote though for some reason
I can't register a vote though for some reason
Brazil is my favourite, but hoping for Belgium as I will be in Brussel when the finale is played.
I really believe France has a decent chance to win the thing with their squad being balanced with quality in every department even though world class talents like Pogba, Varane and Mangala lack the experience of participating in such tournaments. They'd need to show the needed consistency in their play and that's something young players often struggle with.
The only other question mark for me is whether Lloris would be able to have a relatively error-free tournament (he's not really convinced me at Spurs yet).
Maybe you'd be able to shed some light on the squad harmony issue (if there is one at the moment at all) that proved costly at the last World Cup. Can't really see any other reason why France won't go far next month. Leaving the little bitch Nasri out seems like a big step in the right direction.
Brazil defeated Spain 3-0 in the Confed Final, so why can't they do it again?
Nah don't think squad harmony will be an issue, they've been okay since South Africa, and leaving Nasri out shows that Deschamps isn't afraid of addressing the problem. Also, as a team they're coming off a high with the play off against Ukraine, in which they came back strongly in the return leg. Expectation isn't huge in France, for once, the group seems healthy and balanced as you pointed out, and Deschamps is a decent coach, with experience at the WC (from winning one himself). The thing is, they can look like world beaters and very poor in the same game, it's weird.
I think they're lucky to have a weak group though, not too much pressure to make it out of there and get things rolling, of course it depends on some key players (Benzema has never quite been as good for France than for Madrid, but who knows, Ribéry has the syndrome of the guy who wants to do it all by himself, etc.), but I think the squad itself is filled with talent.
Not too worried about Lloris, I think a lot of his poor performances with Spurs are due with the defence and the way they line up, even though he has this year had a few howlers himself. However, he's captain for France and will play with more confidence I think, behind a better defence, and he's been consistantly good for them, so I don't have many fears for him.
I think they're lucky to have a weak group though, not too much pressure to make it out of there and get things rolling, of course it depends on some key players (Benzema has never quite been as good for France than for Madrid, but who knows, Ribéry has the syndrome of the guy who wants to do it all by himself, etc.), but I think the squad itself is filled with talent.
Not too worried about Lloris, I think a lot of his poor performances with Spurs are due with the defence and the way they line up, even though he has this year had a few howlers himself. However, he's captain for France and will play with more confidence I think, behind a better defence, and he's been consistantly good for them, so I don't have many fears for him.
Can't look past Spain. Tried and tested, proven success, now with one of the most in form strikers in world football spearheading the most ludicrous array of midfield talent for years. They could probably field three completely separate sides in with a chance of winning it.
I'd have Chile as dark horses, though they've got a very tough group.
I'd have Chile as dark horses, though they've got a very tough group.
Realistically, it should be Brazil or Argentina, but i really hope its coming from Europe (not Spain though)
Everybody seems to be saying this and I tended to agree until I had a think about it. The majority of the Brazilian and Argentinian players play in Europe so maybe its not as much of an advantage as it once was?
Brazil vs Argentina for finals. Winner takes it all.
Germany vs Spain for the 3rd Place playoff - Germany to nick it.
Germany vs Spain for the 3rd Place playoff - Germany to nick it.
Brazil.
Boring, boring team compared to the Brazilian sides we have learnt to know and love, but it a very strong team with a lot of hard working players. there back line is solid and their midfielders are all very hard working. Only downside I would say is their attack, as I don't really rate Hulk and Fred to be starters of a Brazilian World Cup Team (compared to the quality we are used to). Not sure how Jo is playing now, but if he's anything like his Man City days, then I think it is a silly inclusion, especially when they've ignored Diego Costa for so long (having done a quick search, it does appear that they are really lacking in strikers at the moment). Never seen Bernard play, so I can't judge but really surprised that Lucas was left out - would have been a good option off the bench.
With a good defense, a very strong midfield and the obvious home advantage, it's hard to look past them. I believe that Scolari have kept pretty much the same team for a while, so they are used to playing with each other. Would have liked to see Rafael there instead of Maicon, but apparently he's not too popular in Brazil.
Boring, boring team compared to the Brazilian sides we have learnt to know and love, but it a very strong team with a lot of hard working players. there back line is solid and their midfielders are all very hard working. Only downside I would say is their attack, as I don't really rate Hulk and Fred to be starters of a Brazilian World Cup Team (compared to the quality we are used to). Not sure how Jo is playing now, but if he's anything like his Man City days, then I think it is a silly inclusion, especially when they've ignored Diego Costa for so long (having done a quick search, it does appear that they are really lacking in strikers at the moment). Never seen Bernard play, so I can't judge but really surprised that Lucas was left out - would have been a good option off the bench.
With a good defense, a very strong midfield and the obvious home advantage, it's hard to look past them. I believe that Scolari have kept pretty much the same team for a while, so they are used to playing with each other. Would have liked to see Rafael there instead of Maicon, but apparently he's not too popular in Brazil.
Brazil, with the home support advantage.
Spain and Germany are the superior teams but the weather is going to be a big factor and a huge problem for most of the European teams, much higher than most people expect. The heat and humidity are unbearable in certain locations like Fortaleza, and and South American teams are better adapted to this climate.
I do not see Argentina, Uruguay or Colombia (despite being a great team) winning the WC. So Brazil is the clear favorite in my opinion.
I do not see Argentina, Uruguay or Colombia (despite being a great team) winning the WC. So Brazil is the clear favorite in my opinion.
I think Brazil will win it having home advantage but Argentina and Spain will run them close, fingers crossed England will get through the group stage.
Brazil because they have home support advantage and are used to the hot climate.