Who will win the world cup?
 

Well, obviously England, but who will come second?

I fancy Brazil; it's their home games and whilst they've struggled a bit in recent years, they could do pretty well. Spain must be fancied to be the strongest European team, though Belgium or Italy could be a surprise and Germany always do pretty well.

I don't think Luiz Suarez will do as well in the World Cup as he did in the Premier League, though. Maybe some other Premier League star will shine?

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

Germany, they have a great side, look out for Marco Reus & Mario Gotze.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

If anyone outside of Spain, Brazil and Argentina win I will be very surprised. SPain remain the favorites to me.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

This my ranking of the 20 strongest sides at the world cup;

Spain
Argentina
Brazil
Germany
-------
Portugal
Colombia
France
Belgium
-------
Uruguay
Chile
England
Holland
Italy
---------
Croatia
Japan
Bosnia
Ivory Coast
Switzerland
South Korea
Nigeria

The ------ shows a drop in percieved quality between the "tiers"

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

I agree with the top group and bottom group (though I'm sure someone from the bottom group will surprise us), but I am interested in how you've separated Portugal / Colombia / France / Belgium from Uruguay, Chile, England, Holland and Italy. Why is this?

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

They simply have a better starting XI as far as I see it. More complete teams, despite Colombia having a very slow centre of the defence, Belgium lacking tournament-experience and Portugal lacking a central striker.

The other five teams simply have a lot more questionmarks surrounding them, in terms of favored formation/first XI, lack of truly world-class players (Chile(though Vidal is amazing), Italy, England), an awful defence(Holland), questions surrounding Suarez being injured(and Uruguay outside of Suarez/Cavani being pretty average).

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

Italy that low? They don't even have to score to make it into the elimination round. ^^

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

Isilx's top 4 are imo the only real contenders everyone else is outshots.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

Italy are in a tough group, don't have many goalscoring threats, Pirlo is getting ooooold and haven't really been that impressive for a while now.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

Hoping for Greece, but believe it will be Spain and no others.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

I personally can't see Spain doing much. They aren't as defensively sound as they used to be and everyone is getting used to combatting the tika taka style. There is a reason Barcelona aren't the force they were. No plan B and its the same for Spain.

Germany will be there or there abouts. No Tevez for Argentina means they will lack passion when it matters.

You can't write off Holland because they grind results.

Italy are over the hill and their league lacks quality.

Brazil all depends on how they handle the home pressure.

The team that interests me most is England actually (yes I'm English) but I think it comes down to Roy. Of what is considered the preferred starting 11 only 5 of them were at the last World Cup playing. They have astonishing pace in the front third and hopefully will have a core through the side of one team, Liverpool, who blew teams away last season. I think Raheem Sterling will light up the World Cup and England will get 7 points in there group (9 if no Saurez for Uruguay). I think one of keys will be playing Gerrard in the role he plays for his club and playing Henderson alongside him. The less running he has to do and the most he can dictate play the better England will be.

It will be a good World Cup but England are my dark horses to reach the semi's. I think personally the only team that worries me is Germany as they can be unbeatable when they want.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

I could present arguments for why you're wrong, but I cba :(

Barcelona was a lot less tiki-taka this season than previouss seasons(due to new manager), could be that the reason they didn't win anything was because they weren't tiki-taka enough? ALso, BArcelona was a incorrectly judged offside goal away from winning La Liga.

The fact of the matter is that player-for-player Spain easily has the best first XI and squad at the WC.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

There were two Spanish teams in the CL final and they do have some Spanish players, and Barca were still close. I agree they must be strong.

I can't see England settling things alight, though I'd like to see how Sterling does (depending on if he plays and where he is played).

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

Portugal is in the finals for sure

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

I think Brazil, Argentina or Spain.

The Germans; while definitely the best team in the world, they struggle with any sort of climate change.

England, Portugal, France, Italy or Holland on paper are solid choices but struggle to make an impact.

I think Ivory Coast will suprise a few people and I think Belgium are being too hyped up.

Re: Who will win the world cup?
 

As a Belgian, I agree with Veil05 that we're being too hyped.
If I was a betting man, my money would be on Brazil.