Neymar of Brazil (FIFA World Cup on Facebook)

OK, amigos. Let’s do this. The standard pre-tournament hype article where the writer makes his predictions for the spectacle to ensue. You can take it all the way to the TAB if you want, I won’t even ask for my share if you win.

Winners

I kind of already wrote this one but I’ll do it again more succinctly. Brazil have to be the favourites at home and with the depth they have. People can criticise their squad all they want but really all they are missing is a dominant midfielder and a superstar striker. Neymar doesn’t quite fit the mould as I see it but Brazilian teams are never going to have trouble breaking down oppositions. The difference this time is that they finally have a dominant defence and defence wins championships as they say. Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, Marcelo and Dante make a prime back four. Just keep David Luiz out of things. Their biggest crutch will be if they expect Neymar to carry this team alone like Cristiano Ronaldo will be with Portugal. That’s how it’s worked in the past with the likes of Pele, Ronaldo and Garrincha. They have to be prepared to win ugly. Brazil have a great coach, they beat Spain to win the Confederations Cup and they know these conditions better than anyone. It’s a safe bet, but only because they’re deserved favourites.

Backup Flutters: Argentina might come good now that they have a real coach and a few more players around Messi. Spain have to be a threat as defending champs and their style of play will suit them in these conditions better than any other European side’s.

Semi-Finalists

Brazil, Germany, Spain & Argentina. The first and last are obvious favourites, Spain are the defending champs and a team well suited to grinding things out (meaning the heat becomes their advantage) and the Germans always seem to do well. Plus their second round draw is advantageous. Supposing they get past Portugal, Ghana and the USA in the groups, they’ll face at worst Belgium and Argentina are the best team they can face before the semis (which won’t happen if they each win their groups).

Golden Boot (Top Scorer)

I don’t want to be boring and say Lionel Messi but there’s a decent chance that he bags a hat-trick against either Iran or Nigeria and nobody catches him. Other top marksmen such as Ronaldo, Suarez and Van Persie all face some tough defences early on and in the latter stages things are always cagey. Sergio Aguero could profit off Messi’s work too though Barca fans will tell you that they’re at their best when Messi is the main finisher. Maybe a sneaky on Karim Benzema? The French never make things easy for themselves early on though. Neymar and Hulk will bury a few but will they suffer from having to share the spoils? Diego Costa too, if he’s fit, will be lethal. Outside shots include Edin Dzeko, Eden Hazard and Thomas Muller (though not having an outright striker under the age of 36 worries me for the Germans). Don’t bet on an Englishman or an Italian – they’ve learned to take World Cup goals from wherever they can find them. If I have to pick a single player to drop a tenner on (and as my own editor I’m saying that I do), I’m going for Sergio Aguero. Those Argentinians look like true flat track bullies and Messi tends to take a different role for his country.

Wildcards

Not Belgium, that’s for sure. Every man and his dog’s picking them to go far and the sole fact that they’re unanimous underdogs means that they’re not really underdogs at all, are they? Everyone thinks they’ll go far. And Belgium are the top seeds in their group too. A true wildcard team comes from nowhere like Senegal or Turkey in 2002. Colombia were a great option until Falcao was ruled out. If Ghana can sneak through then they could repeat the dose of last time but the true dark horse I think is the Bosnia & Herzegovina team. They are the only team making their first World Cup appearance and nobody really knows what to expect of them. Asmir Begovic is a very talented keeper while Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic form one of the most dangerous strike partnerships at the Cup. The real threat will come from star Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic though. A strong tournament and he could be on the verge of stardom. Many of these players were born into a civil war. This could be one of the great stories of the 2014 World Cup.

Catching the Early Flight Home

I genuinely think that Portugal are a threat here, especially if Ronaldo can’t prove his fitness. Having said that I’d never put anything past that guy. Obviously one of Italy, England and Uruguay will be off early, and I’m leaning towards the Italians. Just look at the complete lack of an impact their clubs had in the Champions League last season. If they squeak through I’ll be grateful just to see Andrea Pirlo for a little longer. The Dutch could have trouble with the Chileans too.

Players I’ll Be Watching For

Andrea Pirlo (Italy) – Majestic and intelligent. He’s the closest thing left to Paul Scholes as a passer in world footy (and without the periodic murder tackles). It could be his last go round too.

Diego Costa (Spain) – A born and bred Brazilian now playing for one of their biggest rivals and in the country of his birth. Expect a hostile reception. Plus he’s signing for Chelsea so there’s an opponent scouting side to this too.

Arturo Vidal (Chile) – He’s probably gonna miss the game against the Aussies which is a huge disappointment, but even an 80% fit Vidal is worth watching. Here’s a midfielder who can actually do everything: tackle, pass, run, cover, shoot, dribble, etc.

Ross Barkley (England) – Everything I’ve seen of this guy is impressive. Probably gonna be playing off the bench for the Three Lions, he brings on a high energy, full commitment, goal scoring threat. Barkley could be the difference in a close game for Woy’s Boys.

Paul Pogba (France) – Because I’ve never really had the chance to see him play. A former Man Utd prospect, he left in a huff when Fergie refused to make him a regular in his teens and he now plies his trade at Juventus. Is he the real deal or not?

Mario Balotelli (Italy) – No explanation required.