I think that everyone can decide if you're giving a match-by-match prediction or not. Guessing the right outcome will give 1 point and guessing the right score will provide 2 points. You're free to either not to predict games as they go by at all, or to predict several games (even one if you like), or to predict every single match. You're completely free!
When I will come here, I will put your predictions into an xls table so that everyone can check the latest version.
Sigh... I think my quest is vain! ;-) Anyway, predictions for tonight:
Group F:
The situation here is that Argentina has already progressed from the group and Nigeria is almost certain to follow them - well, as certain as Côte d'Ivoire was yesterday. The group is being paired with Group E which will probably be won by France, and nobody wants to meet them in the round of 16. So:
Nigeria - Argentina: 1-1 (x). A draw sees both teams through but both teams have an interest in scoring - Nigeria to take first place in the group and Argentina to stop Nigeria from doing so.
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Iran: 0-0 (x). Iran needs a victory plus a win for Argentina, while Bosnia and Herzegovina are only playing for the honor. Both teams have proved less than effective; a scoreless draw seems not unlikely.
Group E:
France seems certain to win the group; though in theory they can end 3rd if they lose to Ecuador and Switzerland beats Honduras. Oh yes, they also have to lose their 6-goal advantage. ;-)
Honduras - Switzerland: 0-1 (2). The Swiss do their part and beat Honduras.
Ecuador - France: 1-3 (2). The French don't settle for a draw; they want to win the group in style.
Argentina 3 Nigeria 0 They need to turn it on eventually with that front four, so why not now when the pressure is off? Bosnia 2 Iran 0 Bosnia is a great team with some very harsh results so far. Their pride has to come through
France 2 Ecuador 1 The Frenchies have been rampant, and even though Ecuador is desperate to advance I think they are too much Swizterland 2 Honduras 0 Swiss are simply better
Pretty sure we got possible confirmation today that Luis Suarez is a vampire. @Hexxat@Valen can you confirm this?
I'm not sure about this - the sun was out yesterday while they played and he didn't seem to be wearing any magical items to protect him. I could have missed something, though.
Pretty sure we got possible confirmation today that Luis Suarez is a vampire. @Hexxat@Valen can you confirm this?
I'm not sure about this - the sun was out yesterday while they played and he didn't seem to be wearing any magical items to protect him. I could have missed something, though.
So, I've got one point per day the last three days. Let's see which one of my predictions for Thursday night that holds true. ;-)
Group G:
Portugal - Ghana: 3-1 (1). Both teams need a win plus help from Germany or the USA to advance. Portugal is a bit better if Ronaldo finally shows his class. If not, the result is up in the air.
USA - Germany: 0-2 (2). A draw sees both teams through but I expect them to go for the win. And the Germans are the stronger team - though the USA has a German coach, so I don't rule out an upsetter...
Group H:
Republic of Korea - Belgium: 0-1 (2). Belgium is through to the round of 16 but will make sure they win the group, so they need at least one point. The Korean side isn't good enough to stop them; question is if the Belgians are satisfied with a draw.
Algeria - Russia: 1-0 (1). Algeria advances with a draw unless South Korea beats Belgium. The Russians need a victory and I expect Algeria to score on a breakaway and keep the Russians at bay.
I do think its is a fair point that it is a bit odd that a small bite gets you banned for four months but a vicious elbow to the face might go unnoticed (like against Ecuador by Sakho)
Obviously biting is just weirder and rubs people the wrong way, while elbows have been part of the game for years and sometime just happen by accident. Of course the number one reason is Suarez's history compared to Sakho's. But it is a fair question to ask.
Something funny I noticed: most of my friends here in the States ask me if it is annoying that people who don't normally follow soccer/football are now into it. My answer: no! It is lonely being one of the only psychos in my groups of friends. I welcome bandwagonners with open arms and hope they stay (as long as they don't become United, Madrid or Inter fans...I'm even okay with Juve and Arsenal fans! so open minded)
I think I heard ESPN made a statement football now became the second-most spectated sport.
Only when the national team plays in the World Cup Finals. The league here in the states is very pedestrian, and people don't really follow many of the great competitions. Premiership games are shown but ratings are fairly low. I had a party for the Champions League final this year and many of my friends only knew who Atletico was because I supported them. Even when the national side plays qualifiers the interest is not very high.
I do still have hope it catches on though. Right now the country is buzzing with excitement
Guys, thanks for 50 posts here since I last entered. I finally have watched all the matches AND I'M SO HAPPY TO BE AMONG YOU AGAIN!
You won't believe it but it was SO HARD to resist entering this thread during the week. How I missed you all!
I'm glad to have @elminster among us. And yes, you've predicted Uruguay well. It's such a shame Suarez have let you all down. It's F***ing unbelievable.
Congratulations, @booinyoureyes ! Both your teams were successful!
@FinneousPJ Let's mourn together. Our poor Kagawa and Co didn't make it.
Portugal.... It hurts. It hurts so much. At least Holland and Argentina give me smiles. But it still hurts.
Now it will take some time for me to organize all the predictions in the table + add the results in terms of teams that continue. I'll check everything and later will post the results. It's interesting how many of us guessed the right teams and which ones to go into the play-offs.
Hey ben, sorry about Japan The Blue Samurai will return stronger than ever next time! And hopefully they won't be in the same group as all the other sides I like again so I can properly support them!
Comments
Well done Greece!
http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/10984370/portrait-serial-winner-luis-suarez-soccer-most-beautiful-player
Also go Uruguay!
Group F:
The situation here is that Argentina has already progressed from the group and Nigeria is almost certain to follow them - well, as certain as Côte d'Ivoire was yesterday. The group is being paired with Group E which will probably be won by France, and nobody wants to meet them in the round of 16. So:
Nigeria - Argentina: 1-1 (x). A draw sees both teams through but both teams have an interest in scoring - Nigeria to take first place in the group and Argentina to stop Nigeria from doing so.
Bosnia and Herzegovina - Iran: 0-0 (x). Iran needs a victory plus a win for Argentina, while Bosnia and Herzegovina are only playing for the honor. Both teams have proved less than effective; a scoreless draw seems not unlikely.
Group E:
France seems certain to win the group; though in theory they can end 3rd if they lose to Ecuador and Switzerland beats Honduras. Oh yes, they also have to lose their 6-goal advantage. ;-)
Honduras - Switzerland: 0-1 (2). The Swiss do their part and beat Honduras.
Ecuador - France: 1-3 (2). The French don't settle for a draw; they want to win the group in style.
Bosnia 2 Iran 0 Bosnia is a great team with some very harsh results so far. Their pride has to come through
France 2 Ecuador 1 The Frenchies have been rampant, and even though Ecuador is desperate to advance I think they are too much
Swizterland 2 Honduras 0 Swiss are simply better
:-))
Nigeria - Argentina 1 - 1 ( X )
Bosnia - Iran 2 - 0 ( 1 )
France - Ecuador 2 - 1 ( 1 )
Switzerland - Honduras 1 - 0 ( 1 )
2-1 Argentina
1-0 bosnia
1-1 Swiss/Honduras
2-1 France
i think France is playing well but have faced weak opponents. we'll see how they do against real competition in the next round.
Group G:
Portugal - Ghana: 3-1 (1). Both teams need a win plus help from Germany or the USA to advance. Portugal is a bit better if Ronaldo finally shows his class. If not, the result is up in the air.
USA - Germany: 0-2 (2). A draw sees both teams through but I expect them to go for the win. And the Germans are the stronger team - though the USA has a German coach, so I don't rule out an upsetter...
Group H:
Republic of Korea - Belgium: 0-1 (2). Belgium is through to the round of 16 but will make sure they win the group, so they need at least one point. The Korean side isn't good enough to stop them; question is if the Belgians are satisfied with a draw.
Algeria - Russia: 1-0 (1). Algeria advances with a draw unless South Korea beats Belgium. The Russians need a victory and I expect Algeria to score on a breakaway and keep the Russians at bay.
Portugal - Ghana 1 - 0 ( 1 )
USA - Germany 1 - 2 ( 2 )
South Korea - Belgium 1 - 1 ( X )
Algeria - Russia 0 - 1 ( 2 )
Portugal - Ghana 1 - 0
USA - Germany 2 - 1
Belgium - South Korea 2 - 1
Algeria - Russia 0 - 2
Portugal cleans up a self-destructing Ghana, setting up a scenario where the US doesn't advance with a multiple goal loss.
USA/Germany 1-1
The US manages a draw in the rain, (going with my heart on this one) managing to push through to probably face Belgium.
3-0 Belgium
Belgium will crush an already defeated S. korean side.
2-1 Russia
Do or die for the Russians, who will pull it out over Algeria.
Portugal 2 Ghana 1
USA goes through!
Belgium 2 South Korea 1 <--- Official last minute change: Korea doesn't score (so 2-0 Belgians)
Russia 1 Algeria 1
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28023882
That's gonna bite! ;-)
Obviously biting is just weirder and rubs people the wrong way, while elbows have been part of the game for years and sometime just happen by accident. Of course the number one reason is Suarez's history compared to Sakho's. But it is a fair question to ask.
I think Belgium and Algeria are winners tonight.
U S A!
U S A!
Something funny I noticed: most of my friends here in the States ask me if it is annoying that people who don't normally follow soccer/football are now into it. My answer: no! It is lonely being one of the only psychos in my groups of friends. I welcome bandwagonners with open arms and hope they stay (as long as they don't become United, Madrid or Inter fans...I'm even okay with Juve and Arsenal fans! so open minded)
I do still have hope it catches on though. Right now the country is buzzing with excitement
You won't believe it but it was SO HARD to resist entering this thread during the week. How I missed you all!
I'm glad to have @elminster among us. And yes, you've predicted Uruguay well. It's such a shame Suarez have let you all down. It's F***ing unbelievable.
Congratulations, @booinyoureyes ! Both your teams were successful!
@FinneousPJ Let's mourn together. Our poor Kagawa and Co didn't make it.
Portugal.... It hurts. It hurts so much. At least Holland and Argentina give me smiles. But it still hurts.
Now it will take some time for me to organize all the predictions in the table + add the results in terms of teams that continue. I'll check everything and later will post the results. It's interesting how many of us guessed the right teams and which ones to go into the play-offs.
The Blue Samurai will return stronger than ever next time! And hopefully they won't be in the same group as all the other sides I like again so I can properly support them!