Group C
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
England – They have the manager, they have the players, all they need is a bit of luck and learn how to take penalties. England go into the tournament in decent form, and with the country backing them to do the business.
Key Man – Wanye Rooney had his best scoring season at Man United last season, he is without a doubt the most important player in the team.
USA - They are not the most technically gifted but they will work hard and will be hard to break down.
Key Man– Clint Dempsey, the Fulham man can get up and down the pitch and score. He will be vital for the USA.
Algeria- Known as the Desert Foxes they have a lot of pace and can break from box to box swiftly. They do have the potential to cause an upset but I don’t think they will.
Key Man– Majid Bougherra, he is the star man of the defence and will lead from the back.
Slovenia- There not to be underestimated, with a short passing style and keep ball mentality they could cause a shock by getting through the group.
Key Man– Robert Koren the former WBA man is the heartbeat of the Slovenian team and he will be playing for a contract this summer.
Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Germany- With their proven track record the Germans are one team you can’t ignore. The three time winners have the experience of getting to the knock out stages with ease and even without Ballack they are still one to watch.
Key Man– Bastian Schweinsteiger his creative flair will be key he can also pitch in with the goals. More pressure will be on him with the loss of Ballack now.
Australia- Having now qualified for their second consecutive World Cup in the first time in their history they will know what to expect. They got to the 2nd round four years back, but this group will be tricky to get out of.
Key Man– Tim Cahill will be the most realistic goal threat and is very generous in the box.
Serbia- There a very flexible side and can change formation to go with the different opponents. Reddy Antic is a very experienced coach and could be a surprise package this summer.
Key Man–Nikola Zigic, the new Birmingham City forward is a giant power house forward and will cause problems for the defenders.
Ghana- Appeared in their first World Cup four years ago and got to the second round, expect much the same.
Key Man– Sulley Muntari, not very creative but you know what you get with the former Pompey star.
Group E
Holland
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Holland- Could they finally become World Cup winners after years of disappointment? They always seem to have the players, they play attacking football so could Bert van Marwijk lead them to glory.
Key Man– Robin van Persie, he was out for most of the season and will be raring to go in South Africa.
Denmark- This is one of the strongest Denmark sides for a long time. They qualified from a group which had Portugal and end Sweden’s hopes along the way.
Key Man– Niklas Bendtner, he believes he is destined to be the best forward in the world, time to show it.
Japan- There extremely skilful and will want to put their 2006 horror show behind them.
Key Man– Keisuke Honda can score and create chances, vital to the Japan attack.
Cameroon- Like many teams at this year’s World Cup they will go in hoping for a bit of luck.
Key Man– Samuel Eto’o is their best player and heading to his third World Cup. If he gets the chance he will put it away.
Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
Italy- The World Champs go into the tournament with a vast amount of experience in their squad. There a tight nit unit and will try their hardest to retain their trophy.
Key Man– Daniele De Rossi after getting sent off four years ago he still came back into the team to pick up a winners medal. He will be doing a lot of running in a midfield of now ‘30 something’s’.
Paraguay- There another strong South American side who base a lot on team spirit. However a serious lack of quality in midfield will hinder them.
Key Man– Oscar Cardozo the Benfica winger is quick and has an amazing left foot.
New Zealand- With Australia opting to play in the Asia Confederation qualifying section, New Zealand had it easy to get to the World Cup. However when it comes to the big stage they will struggle.
Key Man- Ryan Nelson is a strong leader from the back and will be very busy in a group of tactically minded teams.
Slovakia- This is their first ever World Cup and they will be happy with the group they’re in, as they could get to the knock out stages.
Key Man – Vladimir Weiss, the gaffers’ son could make an impression on Manchester City as well as the world.
Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal
Brazil- Five time winners and know they have finally got a decent defence! One of the favourites as always.
Key Man- Robinho, depending on which one turns up he could easily get a hatful of goals with the players around him.
North Korea- Low expectations and a very defensive approach, they will be the whipping boys of the group.
Key Man- Jong Tae-se is the most capped player in the team and their best forward by far.
Ivory Coast – The best of the African teams at the tournament and packed with house-whole names in the team. They have a great chance of getting to the knock out stage.
Key Man- Saloman Kalou, if Drogba doesn’t make it the goals will need to come from him.
Portugal- Carlos Queiroz had made some strange tactical and selection decisions in the past but they have got there and need to find the right formula to get the best out of their best players.
Key Man- Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s most expensive player and you just know he will, at some point show us exactly why.
Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile
Spain- Euro 2008 changed everything in Spanish football; they are now looked upon as not nearly men but tournament favourites. They keep the ball better than any team there.
Key Man- David Villa it’s hard to pick in such a fantastic team, but the goals will come from the new Barcelona man.
Switzerland- Hitzfeld has made his team very hard to beat and rely a lot on Frei for goals.
Key Man- Alexander Frei needs to take any chance he gets for them to have any chance.
Honduras – Very defensive, and they struggled to get out of a mediocre region. Not much to be expected from them.
Key Man- Wilson Palacios if he has a good tournament Spurs will have a very handy asset for their Champions League campaign.
Chile- They could be the surprise package this year. They can get goals from anywhere which is always good.
Key Man- Humberto Suazo is the focal point of the forward line and will be crucial to Chile.
England
USA
Algeria
Slovenia
England – They have the manager, they have the players, all they need is a bit of luck and learn how to take penalties. England go into the tournament in decent form, and with the country backing them to do the business.
Key Man – Wanye Rooney had his best scoring season at Man United last season, he is without a doubt the most important player in the team.
USA - They are not the most technically gifted but they will work hard and will be hard to break down.
Key Man– Clint Dempsey, the Fulham man can get up and down the pitch and score. He will be vital for the USA.
Algeria- Known as the Desert Foxes they have a lot of pace and can break from box to box swiftly. They do have the potential to cause an upset but I don’t think they will.
Key Man– Majid Bougherra, he is the star man of the defence and will lead from the back.
Slovenia- There not to be underestimated, with a short passing style and keep ball mentality they could cause a shock by getting through the group.
Key Man– Robert Koren the former WBA man is the heartbeat of the Slovenian team and he will be playing for a contract this summer.
Group D
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana
Germany- With their proven track record the Germans are one team you can’t ignore. The three time winners have the experience of getting to the knock out stages with ease and even without Ballack they are still one to watch.
Key Man– Bastian Schweinsteiger his creative flair will be key he can also pitch in with the goals. More pressure will be on him with the loss of Ballack now.
Australia- Having now qualified for their second consecutive World Cup in the first time in their history they will know what to expect. They got to the 2nd round four years back, but this group will be tricky to get out of.
Key Man– Tim Cahill will be the most realistic goal threat and is very generous in the box.
Serbia- There a very flexible side and can change formation to go with the different opponents. Reddy Antic is a very experienced coach and could be a surprise package this summer.
Key Man–Nikola Zigic, the new Birmingham City forward is a giant power house forward and will cause problems for the defenders.
Ghana- Appeared in their first World Cup four years ago and got to the second round, expect much the same.
Key Man– Sulley Muntari, not very creative but you know what you get with the former Pompey star.
Group E
Holland
Denmark
Japan
Cameroon
Holland- Could they finally become World Cup winners after years of disappointment? They always seem to have the players, they play attacking football so could Bert van Marwijk lead them to glory.
Key Man– Robin van Persie, he was out for most of the season and will be raring to go in South Africa.
Denmark- This is one of the strongest Denmark sides for a long time. They qualified from a group which had Portugal and end Sweden’s hopes along the way.
Key Man– Niklas Bendtner, he believes he is destined to be the best forward in the world, time to show it.
Japan- There extremely skilful and will want to put their 2006 horror show behind them.
Key Man– Keisuke Honda can score and create chances, vital to the Japan attack.
Cameroon- Like many teams at this year’s World Cup they will go in hoping for a bit of luck.
Key Man– Samuel Eto’o is their best player and heading to his third World Cup. If he gets the chance he will put it away.
Group F
Italy
Paraguay
New Zealand
Slovakia
Italy- The World Champs go into the tournament with a vast amount of experience in their squad. There a tight nit unit and will try their hardest to retain their trophy.
Key Man– Daniele De Rossi after getting sent off four years ago he still came back into the team to pick up a winners medal. He will be doing a lot of running in a midfield of now ‘30 something’s’.
Paraguay- There another strong South American side who base a lot on team spirit. However a serious lack of quality in midfield will hinder them.
Key Man– Oscar Cardozo the Benfica winger is quick and has an amazing left foot.
New Zealand- With Australia opting to play in the Asia Confederation qualifying section, New Zealand had it easy to get to the World Cup. However when it comes to the big stage they will struggle.
Key Man- Ryan Nelson is a strong leader from the back and will be very busy in a group of tactically minded teams.
Slovakia- This is their first ever World Cup and they will be happy with the group they’re in, as they could get to the knock out stages.
Key Man – Vladimir Weiss, the gaffers’ son could make an impression on Manchester City as well as the world.
Group G
Brazil
North Korea
Ivory Coast
Portugal
Brazil- Five time winners and know they have finally got a decent defence! One of the favourites as always.
Key Man- Robinho, depending on which one turns up he could easily get a hatful of goals with the players around him.
North Korea- Low expectations and a very defensive approach, they will be the whipping boys of the group.
Key Man- Jong Tae-se is the most capped player in the team and their best forward by far.
Ivory Coast – The best of the African teams at the tournament and packed with house-whole names in the team. They have a great chance of getting to the knock out stage.
Key Man- Saloman Kalou, if Drogba doesn’t make it the goals will need to come from him.
Portugal- Carlos Queiroz had made some strange tactical and selection decisions in the past but they have got there and need to find the right formula to get the best out of their best players.
Key Man- Cristiano Ronaldo is the world’s most expensive player and you just know he will, at some point show us exactly why.
Group H
Spain
Switzerland
Honduras
Chile
Spain- Euro 2008 changed everything in Spanish football; they are now looked upon as not nearly men but tournament favourites. They keep the ball better than any team there.
Key Man- David Villa it’s hard to pick in such a fantastic team, but the goals will come from the new Barcelona man.
Switzerland- Hitzfeld has made his team very hard to beat and rely a lot on Frei for goals.
Key Man- Alexander Frei needs to take any chance he gets for them to have any chance.
Honduras – Very defensive, and they struggled to get out of a mediocre region. Not much to be expected from them.
Key Man- Wilson Palacios if he has a good tournament Spurs will have a very handy asset for their Champions League campaign.
Chile- They could be the surprise package this year. They can get goals from anywhere which is always good.
Key Man- Humberto Suazo is the focal point of the forward line and will be crucial to Chile.
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