Just before we get into it, a quick sidenote worth remembering, is all group matches will kick-off simultaneously, to allow nobody to gain an advantage from knowing the result elsewhere. Should be exciting.
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uruguay | 4 | +3 |
| 2 | Mexico | 4 | +2 |
| 3 | France | 1 | -2 |
| 4 | South Africa | 1 | -3 |
Uruguay v Mexico’‘South Africa v France’’
The top two – Uruguay and Mexico - are in control of this group and a draw in their match will be enough for both sides to progress.
France or South Africa have to win their match by a considerable margin and hope the Uruguay-Mexico isn’t a draw, with someone losing badly.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Uruguay & Mexico to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 6 | +4 |
| 2 | South Korea | 3 | -1 |
| 3 | Greece | 3 | -1 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 0 | -2 |
Argentina v Greece’‘South Korea v Nigeria’’
Argentina looked assured of a spot in the next round. As long as they avoid a considerable defeat, they’re through as the top team in this group.
Second spot is completely up for the grabs. Nigeria, pointless and in last, can still grab second with victory over South Korea, provided Greece lost their game, which seems likely against an in-form Argentina.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Argentina & South Korea to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slovenia | 4 | +1 |
| 2 | USA | 2 | 0 |
| 3 | England | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | Algeria | 1 | -1 |
Slovenia v England’‘USA v Algeria’’
This group is incredibly wide open. If there’s a winner in the Slovenia-England game, they’ll progress. If it’s a low scoring draw, that will prove fatal for England.
USA can easily qualify through this group with victory over Algeria. A healthy victory for Algeria, on the other hand, would see them progress.
Basically, Slovenia is the only side who can afford to draw. The rest realistically need to win but they’ll all know it’s in their hands.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: USA & England to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghana | 4 | +1 |
| 2 | Germany | 3 | +3 |
| 3 | Serbia | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Australia | 1 | -4 |
Ghana v Germany’‘Australia v Serbia’’
Another delicately poised group, with all four teams capable of progressing. Ghana will know as long as they don’t lose, they’re through. Germany will know a victory will assure them of their progress and they won’t risk anything.
A Serbia victory over Australia will see them progress, while a draw could be enough if there’s a loser elsewhere. Australia need to beat Serbia and hope Ghana beat Germany, or Germany thrash Ghana.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Germany & Serbia to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Netherlands | 6 | +3 |
| 2 | Japan | 3 | 0 |
| 3 | Denmark | 3 | -1 |
| 4 | Cameroon | 0 | -2 |
Netherlands v Cameroon’‘Denmark v Japan’’
The Dutch are through already and can confirm top spot with a result against Cameroon, who are already out and organising their flights home.
That leaves the simple scenario which will see Japan and Denmark battle for second spot in Rustenburg. The winner goes through, the loser is out, if there’s a draw, it’ll be Japan who progress.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Netherlands & Denmark to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paraguay | 4 | +2 |
| 2 | Italy | 2 | 0 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | Slovakia | 1 | -2 |
Paraguay v New Zealand’‘Italy v Slovakia’’
This is another tight group, but on face value it appears Paraguay are sure to progress, while Slovakia seem unlikely. But anything can happen.
Any result against NZ will seal Paraguay’s passage into the knockout stage. New Zealand will know a draw probably won’t be enough, but if they do draw, it’d help their cause if it was a highscoring draw.
Reigning World Cup champions Italy will know victory against Slovakia will see them progress, while a low-scoring draw may not be enough, while the Slovakians must win to have any hope. A three-goal victory would seal their passage.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Paraguay and Italy to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brazil | 6 | +3 |
| 2 | Portugal | 4 | +7 |
| 3 | Ivory Coast | 1 | -2 |
| 4 | North Korea | 0 | -8 |
Brazil v Portugal’‘Ivory Coast v North Korea’’
Portugal’s emphatic 7-0 smashing of North Korea looks to have settled this group. Brazil are already through, while DPR Korea are out. Meanwhile, Portugal look to have second spot secure, with Ivory Coast needing a huge win over the North Koreans to snatch it.
Any result for Portugal against Brazil will seal their qualification. Ivory Coast would need to destroy North Korea by a considerable margin and hope Portugal to lose by a few goals to Brazil. Seems unlikely.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Brazil & Portugal to progress
| Pos | Team | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chile | 6 | +2 |
| 2 | Spain | 3 | +1 |
| 3 | Switzerland | 3 | 0 |
| 4 | Honduras | 0 | -3 |
Chile v Spain’‘Honduras v Switzerland’’
Chile will know any result against Spain will secure them progression and top spot in this group. But a Chilean loss could open the door, as Spain will leapfrog them, while the Swiss could too, with victory over the struggling Honduras.
The Swiss will know victory over Honduras is likely to be enough to see them progress, but winning by more than one goal would make it certain. Honduras appear to be out of their depth in this group although they are still mathematically alive. A significant victory and a Spanish loss is their only hope. That’s highly unlikely.
Sports Pundit’s Prediction: Spain & Switzerland to progress