World Cup Group A
The World Cup is virtually upon us and plenty will have their flutter, I've had a bit of fun with a speculative one that pays £1.5 million, just waiting to collect!
Being in South America where no European team has ever won, if you side with history then there are very few teams that can actually win it, indeed probably only two, Brazil and Argentina.
The Germans always do well so I can see a Germany Argentina final at odds of around 14/1.
Group A
In Group A Brazil will have to handle huge expectation and therefore nerves, especially as their opening fixture is against Croatia, who are no mugs. With a new manager, Niko Kovač who only took over for the play-offs, how Croatia are going to fare guesswork.
They are missing their goalscorer, Mario Mandžukic, for the first game through suspension and they lost twice to Scotland in qualifying. They play a 4-2-3-1 system but without their target man may lack firepower so I can see them trying to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Vedran Ćorluka will be known to Spurs fans, as will Luka Modrić of course and Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren is one of our main transfer targets. Another former Spurs player Niko Kranjčar injured a hamstring in the play-off final for QPR, so he'll be missing, Nikicia Jelavić was with Everton and now plays for Hull City.
They have talent and experience but are perhaps not quite the force they were a few years ago. Getting a point from the first game will take a bit of pressure off and pile it on Mexico. No score Brazil/Croatia at half-time may be the punt to have in the opening round of games in Group A.
Mexico only had the three managers through qualifying! Miguel Herrera is the current incumbent and he'll probably set up in a 5-3-2 formation. Mexico are perennial under achievers, they show flashes of brilliance then follow it up with poor performances.
Javier Hernández has been told to leave Manchester United if he wants to retain his international shirt and Spurs fans will be watching Giovani Dos Santos to see if he produces the talent he undoubtedly has.
Mexico fight out second place with Croatia and their plight may depend upon that first Brazil/Croatia game.
Cameroon have won one game away from home in 2 years, awarded to them by UEFA so that hardly augers well for their chances. They clearly are the whipping boys of the group and may struggle to get even a point.
Samuel Eto'o will be familiar of course as will Alex Song and let's not forget a certain Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Brazil of course need no introduction, not do their players. They'll top the group but possibly only on goal difference. They may well draw one of their group games, possibly the Mexico game. Tournament favourites but that's because the tournament is in Brazil, not because they are the best side, Argentina look a far better outfit.
With Mandžukic missing the first game, Croatia may only have another 2 games in the tournament so Eduardo would by my choice as top goalscorer for them.
Apart from the 0-0 at half-time in the Brazil/Croatia game, little else appeals, but I may be tempted to throw No Cameroon goalscorer 8/1 into a perm bet.
Group A Result
Brazil
Mexico
Croatia
Cameroon
Being in South America where no European team has ever won, if you side with history then there are very few teams that can actually win it, indeed probably only two, Brazil and Argentina.
The Germans always do well so I can see a Germany Argentina final at odds of around 14/1.
Group A
In Group A Brazil will have to handle huge expectation and therefore nerves, especially as their opening fixture is against Croatia, who are no mugs. With a new manager, Niko Kovač who only took over for the play-offs, how Croatia are going to fare guesswork.
They are missing their goalscorer, Mario Mandžukic, for the first game through suspension and they lost twice to Scotland in qualifying. They play a 4-2-3-1 system but without their target man may lack firepower so I can see them trying to settle for a 0-0 draw.
Vedran Ćorluka will be known to Spurs fans, as will Luka Modrić of course and Southampton centre-back Dejan Lovren is one of our main transfer targets. Another former Spurs player Niko Kranjčar injured a hamstring in the play-off final for QPR, so he'll be missing, Nikicia Jelavić was with Everton and now plays for Hull City.
They have talent and experience but are perhaps not quite the force they were a few years ago. Getting a point from the first game will take a bit of pressure off and pile it on Mexico. No score Brazil/Croatia at half-time may be the punt to have in the opening round of games in Group A.
Mexico only had the three managers through qualifying! Miguel Herrera is the current incumbent and he'll probably set up in a 5-3-2 formation. Mexico are perennial under achievers, they show flashes of brilliance then follow it up with poor performances.
Javier Hernández has been told to leave Manchester United if he wants to retain his international shirt and Spurs fans will be watching Giovani Dos Santos to see if he produces the talent he undoubtedly has.
Mexico fight out second place with Croatia and their plight may depend upon that first Brazil/Croatia game.
Cameroon have won one game away from home in 2 years, awarded to them by UEFA so that hardly augers well for their chances. They clearly are the whipping boys of the group and may struggle to get even a point.
Samuel Eto'o will be familiar of course as will Alex Song and let's not forget a certain Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
Brazil of course need no introduction, not do their players. They'll top the group but possibly only on goal difference. They may well draw one of their group games, possibly the Mexico game. Tournament favourites but that's because the tournament is in Brazil, not because they are the best side, Argentina look a far better outfit.
With Mandžukic missing the first game, Croatia may only have another 2 games in the tournament so Eduardo would by my choice as top goalscorer for them.
Apart from the 0-0 at half-time in the Brazil/Croatia game, little else appeals, but I may be tempted to throw No Cameroon goalscorer 8/1 into a perm bet.
Group A Result
Brazil
Mexico
Croatia
Cameroon
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