Who will win the World Cup?

[grem]

For those that will be watching the world cup this summer, who are you picking to win it all?

[kristal_cm]

I took a wild guess. I am not much into Footie but I'll be watching the World cup for sure!!

[casinovegas]

Can't wait for it to start. I'm going for Germany. Happy with the young squad England are sending, who knows! Not too long to find out now.

[DanHorvat]

I voted Argentina, they have the easiest tournament schedule anyone has ever seen. They'll reach the semis without breaking a sweat and then they'll play Brazil in the finals.

England could go far, Hodgson has a great young squad. I just hope he's wise enough to give Barkley playing time. Spain is always good. Germany and Italy should go far, and France should not. Again. Same as Holland. Again.

Nigeria will be the surprise team of the tournament. Bosnia also has potential but it's not going to happen since they can't run.

In the end the winner will be from South America - Argentina or Brazil.

[PromoteCasino]

I've got a strong feeling for Argentina. Messi to finally come good although Spain are still very strong. Don't see Brazil doing anything even with the home crowd cheering them on. France are week as are Italy.

So Argentina for me and my money will be invested on them!!!

[thebookiesoffers]

hard to look past Brazil, especially with home advantage

Do Argentina still play Messi out of position out wide?

[DanHorvat]

Do Argentina still play Messi out of position out wide?

Yeah he has a free role on the right and likes it that way.

[casinoSasa]

Croatia all the way!

[thebookiesoffers]

Out of interest does anyone on here live in Las Vegas?

I was there in the April before the last world cup and the sportsbooks there were offering England as short as 4/1, complete madness that, at least 6 points too short that was.

Just wondering what they are now in the big hotels?

[TheGooner]

Football wisdom has it that a South American team will win a South American tournament - maybe - but it's based on stats from 3 tournaments in 1930, 1950 and 1978 ... and the world of conditioning has moved on since then.

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Argentina have some great attacking players, but look suspect on defence, and I'm not sure that Brazil's great local rivals will actually get huge support from Brazilian fans when playing against European opposition.

Brazil look solid, but no exceptional. Their "best" player is Neymar who has looked a wee bit ordinary in his first season in La Liga starting 25 games for 9 goals in a Barcelona team that dominates 80% of the games they play. Brazil will look good again - but may suffer stage fright.

Chile might be a dark horse, finished 3rd in COMNEBOL qualifying, but they did their best work at home, and lost twice to Argentina.

Ecuador and Uruguay have variable teams, some world class players, some players of average.

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Europe's main threat will come from the usual sources with Spain 6-2-0, Germany 9-1-0 and the Netherlands 9-1-0 all looking dominant in qualifying and they should go deep into the competition.

Belgium 8-2-0, England 6-4-0, Switzerland 7-3-0 and Italy 6-4-0 also finished the qualifiers unbeaten but with lower scoring victories and a handful of draws against the lessor teams. There could easily be a deep run from one of these teams.

Any European team will be expecting to make the knockout stages, but then you need to win 4 games in a row (or win the penalty shoot-outs) in order to lift the cup - and that's where the top tier of European sides have the advantage.

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Africa have long been touted as a continent of potential - even by legends such as Pele - but the truth is that African football lacks the structure to combine their talented players into a side that has the tactical nous to win at this highest level.

Ivory Coast and Ghana look the strongest sides to me ... while Nigeria have a favourable draw and I expect one of them to reach the quarter-finals and maybe the semi-finals ... but suggesting an outright win for AFrica is just a longshot.

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Asia, CONCACAF teams (including the USA) are just there to make up the numbers. The teams are improving - Japan and South Korea look good sides if a little robotic - while Mexico is usually competitive against all but the best teams.

However the FIFA geographical draw conspires against the small Confederations ... meaning that they will all have to face South American and European teams in group play ... sometimes all opponents are sides ranked in the top 15 like Australia which face Spain(1), Chile (13) and Netherlands (15)..

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If push comes to shove I think that the winner will come from the top five - Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain, Netherlands - and as I rate temperament as being vital I think that Germany can do it - but a S/F against Argentina looms as a big challenge.

I'd like to see the Netherlands lift the cup. Just a country of 16m - they play a good style of football - and have never won the World Cup - losing 3 finals now. If it was their time on this occasion then I'd be pleased for them.

[p.arena]

I wish I could say Australia but looking at their odds (960.0) doesn't inspire much confidence lol.

Hard to argue with that either with the tough group they are in.

I'm gonna go with Brazil.

[sweetbet]

I'm putting my money on Brazil.

[Maria F]

Brazil 100%

[Doolally]

I've gone for Brazil although I think Argentina have a great chance of going all the way too.

[Casino Online Rating]

I'm not a football expert, but I've heard he host country is considered to have the best chance to win the 2014 World Cup. Brazil has the best odds at 3/1

[AE-Stephen]

So many big names missing from the Brazil squad, Scolari must of been smoking something when he picked that team. I highly doubt they will go all the way.

If I had to have a bet I'd plump with Germany. Dark Horse is Uruguay for me.

I will have a small play on England, there is serious potential in the squad Woy chose. Whether they live up to it this time around is anyones guess, but nobody gave Germany's kids a chance before the last tournament and they managed third.

[DanHorvat]

Netherlands

They either need to beat Spain in the group (to top the group) or beat Brazil in the round of 16. Croatia is in the same situation but in reverse order, so these are the two teams with the most difficult schedule on the tournament.

My main bet will be that England will reach the quarter-finals. Good young squad, good choice of a camp, the only problem will be the first match in Manaus but after that England is flying.

Younger squads should perform better in the inhumane heat. The tall, the heavy and the old will be in a world of pain

[aasim]

i have voted for brazil, despite the fact dat the team hosted the cup, never win it,, i hope dis tym records are goin to change
Best of luck brazil

[bettinganalyst]

My favourite is Germany

[aasim]

No european teams except spain and italy possess much potential to play against american teams in america,,, Germany and england,, both are chokers