So who is it going to be?

Ahh the first question people ask you when you tell them off the World Cup Blog you started.

"Who's it going to be this year?"

Busy people in busy modern times... no time to sit back and savour and wait.

For the record I don't care who wins, but I prefer the teams that play with quality and the teams that are considered underdogs.

Off course Uruguay going all the way with beautiful attacking football would make me melt with joy like a pat of butter on a fine cut of grilled beef.

But.... let's dispense the ghosts of anticipating and put our bets down:

People it's official 25 days to go... 24.... and since this blog is fresh and nobody’s here yet I want to make a prediction of success and failure prior to anyone joining my site.

Here are my off-the-mark predictions:

Group A - France is in for an upset, if pressed I predict Uruguay and Mexico to go through. South Africa? Home crowd and enthusiasm, maybe they are out to prove something new.

Group B - Old Diego doesn't know how to coach, but Messi is maturing and maybe finally he can save his overrated boss’s buns against moderate opposition in this group? Nigeria where horrendous in offense during the CAF, but their defensive skills were exceptional... I never make predictions on the African teams because they always run contrary.

Group C - England has an easy time... albeit the only easy group. Algeria are talented, Slovenia are a shocker that keeps the shocks coming, and their teamspirit and unity is second to none. England and Slovenia I call for the group.... sorry America, if I wasn't subjective maybe you'd get my second-spot-vote.

Group D - A hidden group of death... Ghana the African best, Serbia the best results in Qualifying, and Australia hungry for glory at the world stage and combining every type of player that a team needs in the upper middle talent bracket. I predict Serbia will exit the group at least, I predict, subjectively, that they will be the tournament’s dark horses, and let’s not predict anything else.

Group E - The second of three groups of death in this competition. Holland deserve something after all they have given to the sport, and unlike Diego Madadona, Bert van Madwijk believes in taking the players that are playing in the Champion's League final to the World Cup. Robben and Sneijder are probably the best two offensive players in Europe this season... van der Vaart and Huntelaar have emerged from the shadows of easily failed Madrid expectations.

Group F - Italy think they have it easy. But Italy always lose a group game, Italy always struggle initially in a world cup and Italy is going to continue making this group with new dark-horse powerhouses Slovakia and Paraguay interesting. Slovakia boasts some hidden talents, the least hidden of which we will discuss in Slovakia's blog "Hamsik" "Gesundheit." Paraguay, the top South American team in qualification, even if their most exiting offensive player is recovering from a bullet to the brain (Cabanas) they are a marvellously integrated team able of surprising everybody on a good day, kind of like Italy. Don’t mention New Zealand... poor kiwis are the weakest link in this contest... better luck next time boys.

Group G  - Everybody's favourite group of death. Portugal - Brazil is one for the history books... hopefully it will end with a default walkover after red cards for diving (note my prediction). Ivory Coast I support with all my heart... this aging generation of football giants was a disaster in January CAF... I hope they manage to claim their much deserved, and their continents first much deserved third place. Common Yaya, Kolo, Didier and the gang... work hard so that Kader Keita can keep scoring all the wonder goals! North Korea is a hidden package... I predict at least a point in this tough group if not 2. No predictions here otherwise let's let this play out.

Group H - Spain, Pele says Spain, pundits think Spain deserves it, but Spain are a walking field hospital at the moment, and combined with heavy expectations they are open from shockers from highly capable Chile or Honduras. The only thing that keeps Chile from showing their true talents is psychology. If paper alone decided football, Chile would be my dark horse of this tournament... my instinct says I will be left with what I know of their abilities and they won't manage to show as much as a Morocco or even a Croatia of '98. Surprise me lads.... Honduras has spirit but lack the stamina to go far in such a tournament.. .their Premiership tempered midfield could make a difference in that department. And to round of the Iberophone group Switzerland... the best Switzerland ever, a Switzerland that learned how to score goals and get less red bookings... is it enough? Spain and Chile if all goes to plan....

Nothing ever goes to plan in the world cup....or in football :)

Disclaimer: These predictions where an appetizer before the 11th I will complete all teams and groups here and on my new site.