I'm going to go for a German win at the World Cup....but it's difficult as Spain are still strong as are Italy and to a certain extent Brazil...a dark horse may be Argentina with Aguero and Messi as a striking partnership, so my prediction may change. 

Don't think anyone would consider ARGENTINA as dark horses esp in a south American tournament. BRAZIL, ARGENTINA, GERMANY AND SPAIN are prob the top 4 to beat. Can't see past those teams tho perhaps Italy Uraguay and Netherlands could upset. Dark horses could be Belgium or dare I say England.  Hodgsons selection is not surprising and he seems to have a well balanced team... I am looking fwd to the WC esp as I be on hols in Gran Canaria with some German friends and hoping England get thru the group stage.

Apart from Pablo Zabaleta their defence is rubbish, one man can't defend a Brazilian or German attack - unless you park the bus and I wouldn't rank Demichelis as a good defender, he is inconsistent. Having a great defence as well as attack is what wins games.

 

Betting odds show Brazil faves then Argentina, Germany then Spain. So Argentina 2nd favourites hardly dark horses !!!!!!!!

Odds are nothing, does a horse that is favourite always win the Grand National? nope. Argentina were one of the favourites 4 years ago but they didn't make the semis and their team isn't hugely different this time around.

Odds are nothing ...??? Are you for real...??? Comparing the world cup to the Grand National ( a lottery) is foolish. Do you actually know anything about football ...???

France was one of the favourites 4 years ago too yet they fell out with their coach at the world cup and more or less refused to play like we normally see them play, so, yeah odds are nothing, many factors like the French fiasco contribute to a team winning or losing and not odds. Whoever put Argentina as 2nd favourites musn't of looked at their defence as a crap defence won't win you the World Cup or probably don't know anything about football, you'll only get to the quarters with a good attack and average poor defence and that's it - I'm afraid it doesn't take an Einstein to work that out, that's why their the dark horse.

Also what if Aguero or Messi or even both get an injury? it is certainly possible. So odds don't come into play with that either.

Brazil were red hot favourites in 1998 yet they got battered in the final. Who would of predicted France to lift the trophy? Same with Denmark at the 1992 Euros, odds were they were going to lose in the group stages but they won the whole thing.

Odds are nothing.... yip very good. Yawn.... when you gain some football knowledge please come back to the forum rather than spouting some random historical facts.

 

You said it, you seem to have a bad memory as these teams went "against the odds"

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History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

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History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.

3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

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History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

Of all the world cups European teams have won more - No superstition in that 

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History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

Of all the world cups European teams have won more - No superstition in that 

Err think your missing the point.... NO EUROPEAN TEAM Has won the Cup in South / Central America so your comment is totaly insignificant with the exception it probably means more world cups have been held outside of south and central America.

History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

Of all the world cups European teams have won more - No superstition in that 

Err think your missing the point.... NO EUROPEAN TEAM Has won the Cup in South / Central America so your comment is totaly insignificant with the exception it probably means more world cups have been held outside of south and central America.

Doesn't matter - the new future can be written, absolutely no reason to say a European team won't win the whole thing over there just because of what's happened in the past.

In that regard fairy superstitions from you're part don't count. I don't believe 1 magpie will give me bad luck.

Europe has dominated the world cup in terms of overall wins.......just. Most likely due to Europes strengths in all areas maybe even better training facilities, whereas south American teams concentrate far more only on attack. You won't win all time with just a great attack. At some point you have to defend when you meet better teams after the groups, and that's where they slipped up over the past 2 world cups.

In fact looking at their provisional lineup I would say Spain has a fantastic chance to hold on to the cup and be only the 3rd team to do it after first Italy and then Brazil. Spain are not any weaker than 4 years ago. 

 

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History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

Of all the world cups European teams have won more - No superstition in that 

Err think your missing the point.... NO EUROPEAN TEAM Has won the Cup in South / Central America so your comment is totaly insignificant with the exception it probably means more world cups have been held outside of south and central America.

Doesn't matter - the new future can be written, absolutely no reason to say a European team won't win the whole thing over there just because of what's happened in the past.

In that regard fairy superstitions from you're part don't count. I don't believe 1 magpie will give me bad luck.

Europe has dominated the world cup in terms of overall wins.......just. Most likely due to Europes strengths in all areas maybe even better training facilities, whereas south American teams concentrate far more only on attack. You won't win all time with just a great attack. At some point you have to defend when you meet better teams after the groups, and that's where they slipped up over the past 2 world cups.

In fact looking at their provisional lineup I would say Spain has a fantastic chance to hold on to the cup and be only the 3rd team to do it after first Italy and then Brazil. Spain are not any weaker than 4 years ago. 

 

Spain certainly are weaker than 4 years ago !!! The team was very much based upon Xavi and insists who 4 years ago were in their prime. Spain do carry the same threat as 4 years ago.

History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

Of all the world cups European teams have won more - No superstition in that 

Err think your missing the point.... NO EUROPEAN TEAM Has won the Cup in South / Central America so your comment is totaly insignificant with the exception it probably means more world cups have been held outside of south and central America.

Doesn't matter - the new future can be written, absolutely no reason to say a European team won't win the whole thing over there just because of what's happened in the past.

In that regard fairy superstitions from you're part don't count. I don't believe 1 magpie will give me bad luck.

Europe has dominated the world cup in terms of overall wins.......just. Most likely due to Europes strengths in all areas maybe even better training facilities, whereas south American teams concentrate far more only on attack. You won't win all time with just a great attack. At some point you have to defend when you meet better teams after the groups, and that's where they slipped up over the past 2 world cups.

In fact looking at their provisional lineup I would say Spain has a fantastic chance to hold on to the cup and be only the 3rd team to do it after first Italy and then Brazil. Spain are not any weaker than 4 years ago. 

 

Spain certainly are weaker than 4 years ago !!! The team was very much based upon Xavi and insists who 4 years ago were in their prime. Spain do carry the same threat as 4 years ago.

Exactly.

I really can't see past Brazil. I can think of no obvious weakness in that side, unlike Argentina which is defndively suspect.

For me, a European team has just as much chance as a South American team of winning this years World Cup.  If I were forced to make a prediction I would say the South American teams edge it by a neck, particularly Brazil. Why? Nothing to do with squad talent per se, though a look at Uruguay and Argentina's squads, and obviously Brazil's, show some supreme attacking talent, and though weaker defensively, still not too bad. More to do with partisan crowds, unfamilar climate, spread out venues meaning much travelling, and the home advantage (relative).

It is hard to ignore history also. Indeed, history shows no non-South American winners of World Cups in the Americas full stop. Mexico 70 and 86, and USA 94 were all South American winners. However, for me, the previous points are more valid IMO for a South American winner.

from Europe, then Germany, Italy, or Spain could spoil the party. I don't expect much from France (though they will do better this time round but hardly difficult not to), and for England a last 16 place max.  Dark horses for me are Belgium. Hugely talented squad, strong in all departments, and definitely worth a punt.  What price on a Belgium v Uruguay final? 

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History shows you can't look past the South Americans , I would be surprised if one of the Europeans won the WC

True we can never discount them completely, but having said that in 2006 Italy won it and then Spain in 2010. In both those finals those 4 teams were European teams (Italy-France 2006) (Spain-Netherlands 2010).....but no South American ones present.
3 out of the past 4 world cups have seen a European Winner.

Of all the world cups played in southern / central america only winners have been from S America . No European team has won there... A few have already mentioned Brazil are strong favourites

Of all the world cups European teams have won more - No superstition in that 

Err think your missing the point.... NO EUROPEAN TEAM Has won the Cup in South / Central America so your comment is totaly insignificant with the exception it probably means more world cups have been held outside of south and central America.

Doesn't matter - the new future can be written, absolutely no reason to say a European team won't win the whole thing over there just because of what's happened in the past.

In that regard fairy superstitions from you're part don't count. I don't believe 1 magpie will give me bad luck.

Europe has dominated the world cup in terms of overall wins.......just. Most likely due to Europes strengths in all areas maybe even better training facilities, whereas south American teams concentrate far more only on attack. You won't win all time with just a great attack. At some point you have to defend when you meet better teams after the groups, and that's where they slipped up over the past 2 world cups.

In fact looking at their provisional lineup I would say Spain has a fantastic chance to hold on to the cup and be only the 3rd team to do it after first Italy and then Brazil. Spain are not any weaker than 4 years ago. 

 

Spain certainly are weaker than 4 years ago !!! The team was very much based upon Xavi and insists who 4 years ago were in their prime. Spain do carry the same threat as 4 years ago.

Nonsense 2 players don't win world cups you obviously know little about football  and you probably haven't bothered to look through Spains squad.........also check their performances this season and a lot of them have been phenomenal.

Goalkeepers: David De Gea (Manchester United), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) Pepe Reina (Liverpool)

Defenders: Dani Carvajal, Sergio Ramos (both Real Madrid), Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba (both Barcelona), Cesar Azplicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Alberto Moreno (Sevilla).

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas (all Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Ander Iturraspe (Athletic Bilbao), David Silva (Manchester City), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Tiago Alcantara (Bayern Munich), Juan Mata (Manchester United), Jesus Navas (Manchester City).

Forwards: Diego Costa, David Villa (both Atletico Madrid), Alvaro Negredo (Manchester City), Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Fernando Llorente (Juventus), Fernando Torres (Chelsea).

Weaker squad, no way! pretty much the same strength as 4 years ago, just a couple of players back who were in their prime are now replaced by ones in their prime right now. But having said that players like Iniesta should still be in his prime now, he's 30 not 35. With Xavi that is understandable as he is 34 1/2 so close to bein ruled out completely.

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For me, a European team has just as much chance as a South American team of winning this years World Cup.  If I were forced to make a prediction I would say the South American teams edge it by a neck, particularly Brazil. Why? Nothing to do with squad talent per se, though a look at Uruguay and Argentina's squads, and obviously Brazil's, show some supreme attacking talent, and though weaker defensively, still not too bad. More to do with partisan crowds, unfamilar climate, spread out venues meaning much travelling, and the home advantage (relative).

It is hard to ignore history also. Indeed, history shows no non-South American winners of World Cups in the Americas full stop. Mexico 70 and 86, and USA 94 were all South American winners. However, for me, the previous points are more valid IMO for a South American winner.

from Europe, then Germany, Italy, or Spain could spoil the party. I don't expect much from France (though they will do better this time round but hardly difficult not to), and for England a last 16 place max.  Dark horses for me are Belgium. Hugely talented squad, strong in all departments, and definitely worth a punt.  What price on a Belgium v Uruguay final? 

True and one thing is for sure.....we won't know until July lol. Just a waiting game now.

I think the German midfield is the best in the tournament.........by some distance.

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler, (Schalke 04), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Matthias Ginter (SC Freiburg), Leon Goretzka (Schalke 04), Mario Gotze (Bayern Munich), Andre Hahn (Augsburg), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

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I've drawn the Germans in the office sweepstake. Not sure how to feel!!?

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I've drawn the Germans in the office sweepstake. Not sure how to feel!!?

Nazi scum 😒











[sn_bsmil]

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I've drawn the Germans in the office sweepstake. Not sure how to feel!!?

Can't see the Germans winning it. Too little depth as far as the back four are concerned. Take away Lahm and Hummels (on a good day) and there's not a lot left. Neuer is the class goalkeeper of the tournament though.

I've drawn the Germans in the office sweepstake. Not sure how to feel!!?

Can't see the Germans winning it. Too little depth as far as the back four are concerned. Take away Lahm and Hummels (on a good day) and there's not a lot left. Neuer is the class goalkeeper of the tournament though.

Very good team.... possibly could make the Final. They do have a lack of strikers.. preferring to utilise midfileders like Muller in attacking roles. Tho cant see past Brazil tbh.

Lambert says he's amazed to have been selected. That's two of us, Rickie. The news piece on 5 Live was worth listening to though:

"Rickie Lambert made his way up through the football rankings having previously played at clubs like non-league Bristol Rovers" 😁

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I've drawn the Germans in the office sweepstake. Not sure how to feel!!?

A lot better than if you drew Honduras! 😞... Granted, I also got the one man band that is Portugal to give me hope

I've drawn the Germans in the office sweepstake. Not sure how to feel!!?

A lot better than if you drew Honduras! 😞... Granted, I also got the one man band that is Portugal to give me hope

My administrator drew Honduras......

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"Rickie Lambert made his way up through the football rankings having previously played at clubs like non-league Bristol Rovers"

Ouch! 

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