World Cup 2010: Breaking Down the Groups- Part 1

32 group stage games down, 16 to go. As we head into round three of matches, 30 of 32 teams still have a chance to reach the knockout stages. Those teams range from a 2-0 side in precarious position to an 0-2 side with a very realistic chance to advance. Let's breakdown the scenarios and my predictions, starting with Groups A-D.

Group A
Standings: Uruguay- 4 points, +3 goal differential; Mexico- 4 pts., +2; France- 1 pt., -2; South Africa- 1pt., -3
Match-ups: Uruguay vs. Mexico; South Africa vs. France
The situation: Uruguay are part of the South American juggernaut that has eight wins and two draws in ten matches. Diego Forlan is one of the emerging stars of the Cup with two goals in the win over South Africa. While a draw guarantees both sides advance, Mexico will want to avoid a second round meeting with Argentina, so look for El Tri to go on the attack. If there's any justice, the French collection of prima donnas will get blasted by South Africa. The hosts will likely miss the knockout stages, but a well-deserved win would allow them to finish on a high,
Prediction: Mexico wins to top the group as Uruguay holds on to second.

Group B
Standings: Argentina- 6 pts.; +4; South Korea- 3 pts.; -1; Greece- 3 pts., -1; Nigeria- 0 pts., -2
Match-ups: Argentina vs. Greece; South Korea vs. Nigeria
The situation: 0-2 may seem like a bleak position, but Nigeria are surprisingly in good shape to advance. A win over South Korea coupled with a Greece loss to Argentina will see three teams tie for second at 1-2. Regardless of the scores on Tuesday, Nigeria are ensured of winning the goal differential tie-breaker. Argentina need only a draw to lock-up the top spot, and it's hard to see them failing to capture a point.
Prediction: Argentina take first and Nigeria sneak in behind them.

Group C
Standings: Slovenia- 4 pts., +1; USA- 2 pts., E; England- 2 pts. E, Algeria- 1 pt., -1
Match-ups: Slovenia vs. England; USA vs. Algeria
The situation: It's win and advance for Slovenia, the U.S. and England, while Algeria needs a win and some help from England to move on. Oddly the fourth-place side is the only one entering their match on a positive note. Slovenia coughed up a two-goal lead to the U.S., a match the Americans left thinking they should have won. Meanwhile England are just grateful that the French are in town, otherwise they'd be the poster children for team disharmony and underachievement.
Prediction: A pair of 2-0 wins sees the U.S. and England advance, with the States topping the group on the second tiebreaker, goals scored.

Group D
Standings: Ghana 4 pts., +1; Germany 3 pts., +3; Serbia 3 pts., E; Australia 1 pt. -4
Match-ups: Ghana vs. Germany; Serbia vs. Australia
The situation: A quick look at the standings, and you'd say Group D leaders Ghana are Africa's best hope of reaching the knockout stages. They might, however, face a tougher task than winless Nigeria. The Black Stars will need at least a point against Germany to ensure passage. If they lose, Serbia will pass them with a win over Australia. While a win advances any of the top three teams, only Ghana are assured of moving on with a draw. Australia needs to show that it can play without getting a star player red carded, following the dismissals of Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell in their first two matches.
Prediction: Germany plays like, well, Germany and gets the win to put them on top of the group. Serbia join them in the second round.

World Cup 2010: Group D Preview

Group D shapes up as another pool with a clear-cut favorite and three teams that will vie for the second spot. Germany are by all accounts the class of the group, but second place could fall to Australia, Ghana or Serbia, three sides returning for a second-straight World Cup. Here's a breakdown of the group.

Goalkeeping has been the trademark of recent World Cup success for Germany, with Oliver Kahn in 2002 and Jens Lehman four years ago. This year youthful Manuel Neuer (that's right Seinfeld fans, it's Ma Neuer!) mans the net, fresh off a second-place finish in the Bundesliga with Schalke. Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski will be asked to resurrect the form they showed in Germany's third-place finish in 2006. While the Germans will miss injured captain Michael Ballack, they should still win the group.

Another team missing a key player are Ghana, who will have to cope without midfielder Michael Essien. Kevin Prince-Boateng will be an interesting storyline. The German-born midfielder earned the ire of fans there when his challenge on Ballack in the FA Cup caused the injury that will keep Ballack out of the World Cup. Serbian born coach Milovan Rajevac should provide insights on one of the teams the Black Stars will battle for the group's second spot.

Four years ago, the Socceroos escaped the group stages and only a dubious late penalty against Italy ended their tournament run. Can Australia find the second round again? Their unbeaten efforts in their first trip through the Asian qualification process provides hope. Everton's Tim Cahill has a knack for scoring off of set pieces, while veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer arrives on the heels of a trip to the Europa League final. Australia won't have the managerial magic of Guus Hiddink this time around, but they are lead by his protege, Pim Verbeek.

Serbia will be looking to improve on their 2006 World Cup trip when, as Serbia & Montenegro, they lost three matches, including a 6-0 drubbing by Argentina. No Serb arrives with more confidence than captain Dejan Stankovic, a member of Inter Milan's Champions League and treble winners. A pair of rugged Premier League defenders anchor the defense with Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

Predication: Top to bottom, this could be the tournament's strongest group. Germany are by no means a lock, but should finish ahead of Ghana, who will ride the home-continent support into the round of 16.