World Cup 2010: Quarterfinals Preview- July 3

Can the second set of quarterfinals equal the drama of Friday's games? One match has the making of a classic, the other a mismatch. Time to play.

Argentina vs. Germany
Arguably the world's best intercontinental rivalry, Argentina and Germany meet in the knockout stages for the fourth time in the last seven World Cups. They traded Finals victories in 1986 and 1990; Maradona's side winning a classic in '86, with the Germans capturing an ugly affair four years later. In 2006 the Germans won a quarterfinal match in Berlin, prevailing in a shootout after a 1-1 draw.

The depth of the Argentine side is reflected in the fact that they've cruised to four convincing wins without a goal from their best player. But while Lionel Messi has been kept off the scoresheet, he's done plenty to set-up teammates Gonzalo Higuaín and Carlos Tevez. While Tevez's first goal against Mexico was suspect, his second was pure class.

Germany took advantage of a blown call and lots of blown defending to romp past England, 4-1. Germany's side is the perfect blend of experience and youth. Lukas Podolski and Miroslav Klose provide the World Cup pedigree, while Thomas Muller and Mesut Ozil are the team's talented young guns.

There has been no shortage of head games in the build-up to this match. Argentina have yet to face adversity in the tournament. If they fall behind, how will they respond? (See Brazil as an example of how not to rally.) Germany won't find the stroll through the Argentine defense as easy as it was against England, but as the more disciplined of the two sides, they're better suited mentally for a tight contest.

Prediction: Germany 2, Argentina 1

Spain vs. Paraguay
With Brazil heading home, Spain assume the role of tournament favorites, and a match-up with Paraguay should be little more than a speed bump. David Villa continues to impress, scoring four of Spain's five goals, including the lone tally in the win over Portugal. Sergio Busquets helped Spain control the midfield against Portugal, connecting on 95 percent of his passes. While Iker Casillas has been rarely tested, the European champs know they can count on one of the world's best goalkeepers.

Paraguay's Round of 16 scoreless draw with Japan was the lone stinker in the second round. Somehow a team that hasn't scored in its last two games finds itself among the last six teams alive at the World Cup. If Paraguay are to have any chance of pulling off the upset, they'll need to follow the Swiss model from earlier in the tournament- furious defending and capitalizing on the counter-attack. I don't see it happening.

Prediction: Spain 3, Paraguay 0

World Cup 2010: Round of 16 Previews- June 29

Paraguay vs. Japan
The most unlikely of the eight round of 16 match-ups takes place Tuesday in Pretoria as Group F winners Paraguay face Group E runners-up Japan. For the winner, it will be their first trip to the quarterfinals. Paraguay got a boost from a 1-1 draw with Italy in their first match. A win over Slovakia and a draw with New Zealand left them atop the group. Japan split its first two matches, defeating Cameroon and falling to Holland. A 3-1 win over Denmark sealed their second trip to the knockout stages in three tournaments.

Japan's prowess on set pieces was impressive against Denmark and they'll need those types of strikes from Keisuke Honda to secure victory. While he has yet to score in the tournament, Roque Santa Cruz is looking healthier and will be the focal point of Paraguay's offense.

So far the Round of 16 has been played at a high level. We might be due for a clunker, and this has the look of one.

Prediction: Paraguay 0, Japan 0 (Paraguay wins on PKs)

Spain vs. Portugal
The battle of Iberia is on as reigning European champions Spain, winners of Group H, face Group G's second-place team, Portugal. After a stunning 1-0 loss to Switzerland in their opener, Spain defeated Honduras and Chile to earn six points. Portugal played a pair of 0-0 draws against Ivory Coast and Brazil, but they had no trouble finding the net in a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea.

Fernando Torres is still battling injuries, but David Villa's play has more than compensated for Spain. His opening brace against Chile was one of the tournament's top strikes. Portugal, however, are still waiting for their top star to bring his A game. Cristiano Ronaldo has been curiously quiet so far, and Portugal will need his best effort to pull off the mild upset.

Sometimes an early scare helps galvanize a squad, and that appears to be happening with Spain. Look for them to keep the momentum going against Portugal.

Prediction: Spain 2, Portugal 1

World Cup 2010: Breaking Down the Groups- Part 2

Well, I didn't exactly set the world on fire with my first set of picks (although I did get USA and England right). Here's hoping for better luck in part two of my group stage breakdown, taking a look at Groups E-H.

Group E
Standings: Holland- 6 points, +3 goal differential; Japan- 3 pts., E; Denmark- 3 pts. -1; Cameroon- 0 pts., -2
Match-ups: Holland vs. Cameroon; Japan vs. Denmark
The situation: Having both posted wins over Cameroon, Japan and Denmark face-off for second-place. While Denmark are the sharper side, Japan have the advantage of advancing with a draw. Barring a highly unlikely set of scores, Holland will top the group regardless of their match with Cameroon.
Prediction: The only group to advance two European teams will see Holland take first, followed by Denmark.

Group F
Standings: Paraguay- 4 pts., +2; Italy- 2 pts., E; New Zealand- 2 pts., E; Slovakia- 1 pt., -2
Match-ups: Paraguay vs. New Zealand; Italy vs. Slovakia
The situation: Despite a pair of lackluster draws, Italy need to only a win in their final match to move on to the knockout phases. But their struggles have allowed Paraguay to seize control of the group; a win over New Zealand will see the South American outfit claim the top spot, and a tie sees them through as well.
Prediction: The Kiwis magic runs out as Paraguay takes first, followed by Italy. The results mean Holland face Italy in the Round of 16.

Group G
Standings: Brazil- 6 pts., +3; Portugal- 4 pts., +7; Ivory Coast- 1 pt., -2; North Korea- 0 pts., -8
Match-ups: Brazil vs. Portugal; Ivory Coast vs. North Korea
The situation: While not technically eliminated, there's no way Ivory Coast are making up nine goals on Portugal. So with Brazil and Portugal assured of going through, it should lead to an open, entertaining match to determine group supremacy. Even with Kaka suspended following an absurd sending off, the world's top ranked team have shown no indication that they'll drop a match here.
Prediction: Brazil stay unbeaten, with Portugal taking second.

Group H
Standings: Chile- 6 pts., +2; Spain- 3 pts., +1; Switzerland- 3 pts., E; Honduras- 0 pts., -3
Match-ups: Chile vs. Spain; Switzerland vs. Honduras
The situation: Chile may sit a top the group with six points, but their position is far from safe. Their failure to improve on a 1-0 scoreline against a weak Honduras side and a Swiss squad that played a man down for much of the match may be their undoing with the goal differential tiebreaker. With Spain and Switzerland both favored, we may see three teams finish with six points. The odd men out would be the first team ever not to reach the knockout stages with five or more points.
Prediction: A win for Spain puts them top of the group, setting up an all-Iberian showdown with Portugal. The punchless Swiss can only manage a draw against Honduras and Chile takes second.

World Cup 2010: Group F Preview

You won't hear any complaints coming out of the defending champs' camp, as the Italians have been paired with unfancied New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia. While the Azzurri should advance, the battle is on for the second sport in the round of 16. Here's my take on Group F.

Italy will look to recapture the magic of their 2006 title run quite literally, with a roster heavy on World Cup veterans. Among the returning talent is goalkeeper Gigi Buffon, who allowed only an own goal and a penalty kick four years ago. Captain Fabio Cannavaro is no spring chicken at age 36, and a 2-1 friendly loss to Mexico last week re-inforced the sentiment that this side has jumped the shark. But with no major threats looming in the group, Italy will hope to conserve some energy for the knockout rounds, where they'll need it against stiffer competition.

For the first time since the early '90s break-up of Czechoslovakia, Slovakia has advanced to the World Cup. Offensive-minded midfielder Marek Hamsik, coming off a 12-goal campaign with Serie A Napoli, is the biggest scoring threat. Rugged Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel marshalls the back line. In a country best known for hockey, the Slovaks will bring a similar rugged mentality to the World Cup.

Somewhat quietly, Paraguay has reached the World Cup for the fourth consecutive time. The South American outfit actually won more games in qualifying than Argentina or Brazil. With Roque Santa Cruz a shell of his former self and gun violence knocking Salvador Cabanas out of the tournament, the Albirroja will rely on Benfica big man Oscar Cardozo to put the ball in the net. Their match against Slovakia will be the group's key fixture.

Under the category of "just happy to be here," New Zealand are the longest of long shots. The nation did advance to the final of the biggest sporting event ever held in South Africa. Unfortunately that was the Rugby World Cup. If the All Whites employ the go for broke style they showed in a 4-3 loss to Italy in last year's Confederations Cup, their matches should at least be entertaining. The offensive catalyst is striker Shane Smeltz.

Prediction: Aging Italy takes first, but not without a challenge from Paraguay and Slovakia. Slovakia have been the better side of late, so I'll slot them into the second slot.