My World Cup Predictions: Group E and F

Group E:

This looks to be a tricky Group, the Dutch are favoured but the remaining are capable of moving to the next round and causing an upset along the way. Denmark enter South Africa with arguably the strongest squad ever assembled, of course taking nothing away from the team that won the Euro Cup in 1992. Everything goes through captain Jon Dahl Tomasson, he is the engine for the Danes. Nicklas Bendtner will look to cause problems in the opponents box, and will try and further his reputation as a prolific striker with a strong performance; although he is trying to recover from injury. Strong as they are, Denamrk has many injuries to key players; including keeper Thomas Sorensen. This will provide to be to much to overcome and the Danes will just miss out.
Next in line, Cameroon. My pick of the African nations to go the furthest in South Africa. The Indomitable Lions will look to make a strong impression after some terrible performances in the World Cup, never reaching the heights they did in Italia '90, even missing out 4 years ago in Germany. This team however is well experienced and Samuel Eto'o will cause problems in front of goal. The midfield is relitively their weakest part, not really creative although strong and sturdy. In goal, Carlos Kameni is very reliable, a great shot stopper who knows how to command his area. Experience and the twelfth man will push Cameroon into the knockout rounds.
Japan is in tough unfortunately for all the fans of the rising sun. They have looked awful in all their friendlies leading up to the tournament; although were unlucky to lose against England after a great start. Since 1998, the Blue Samurai have made each World Cup, but havent won a game abroad (2 wins at home in 2002). Scoring has been a problem for the Japanese, and judging by their opponents in the group this should lead to a quick exit. The backbone of the team is midfield; Yasuhito Endo and Shunsuke Nakamura will look to create and provide the spark, but with no one to score in the final third of the pitch, the Japanese will lose all 3 games in South Africa.
Always a threat and very dangerous, the Netherlands come into the World Cup with lots of confidence. Their roster is littered with talent, boasting stars like Robin van Persie, Wesley, Sneijder, Arjen Robben (who will probably miss the opener due to injury), Dirk Kuyt and Mark van Bommel. The Oranje seem to peek to soon however and usually crummble early in the knockout rounds. The backline is also full of question marks. Veteran Giovanni van Bronckhorst will lead but after that it gets thin, and they will also be without Edwin van der Sar for the first time after he retired from international play after Euro 2008. Maarten Stekelenburg takes over between the posts and although playing well for Ajax, he hasn't faced proper competition outside of the Eredivisie. Offence will be enough for the Dutch to win the group, but going into the knockout rounds you need a solid backline and keeper to win games as the competition gets better.

1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan


Group F:

The All Whites will make only their second World Cup appearance in South Africa; losing all 3 games in Spain 1982. Considering New Zealand doesn't have a proper domestic lead, most of their roster plays in Australia (A-League). They had an easy road to South Africa by being the top team in the OFC (Oceania), now that Australia has moved to the Asian Football Confederation. The competition they faced in qualifying is nothing compared to what lies ahead and 3 quick loses look to be in their future. Bright spots can be found on the roster, Ryan Nelsen (Blackburn Rovers) will lead the defense and striker Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United) will look to score the first goal in South Africa for the All Whites.
Paraguay come into the tournament brimming with confidence, after coming from two goals down to tie Côte d'Ivoire and a solid 2-0 win vs. Greece in their recent friendlies has given the squad a sense of optimism. After losing leading scorer Salvador Cabanas (shot in the head and miraculously surviving), the team has come together through this tragedy and forged on. The Albirroja will play on the counter attack and will look to their defense to stand firm and then poach a winner. This could provide a rather dull opener against an equally defensive minded Italy. Oscar Cardozo had a fantastic year at Benfica and will be a major threat in front of goal. I see them finishing second but should not be over-looked because they have all the necessary parts to pull an upset and make things hard on the Italians.
The Slovaks are making their first trip to the World Cup, topping the qualifying group which included neighbors and former countrymen Czech Republic. The team is technically sound and hard working, they might not have a star studded line-up like the Czech's, however they do boast some of Europe’s up and coming stars. Marek Hamsik (Napoli) is a fantastic attacking midfielder; creative and fast he will provide much of the creativity for Slovakia down the middle, and watch out for his thunderous shot. Although being injured most of the season for Liverpool, Martin Skrtel will be healthy for South Africa. His strength will anchor the backline, also a threat from set pieces. If they can out-defend their opponents they have a chance but not enough up front will be their downfall.
The reigning World Cup Champions are set to defend their crown, unfortunately for all Azzurri fans, not much is different from the team who lifted the trophy in 2006. Age is a problem for the Italians, they are old in footballing years but boast plenty of experience. Luckily they were drawn into a defensive minded group, which fits the Italians well. Gigi Buffon is the heart of the team, without him all is lost, however the backline will be cause for concern as Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta may be passed their prime. Andrea Pirlo's injury was another blow, since everything goes through the veteran in the midfield. Daniele de Rossi will try and fill the hole left by Pirlo and drive the Azzuri forward. More questions will be asked in attack as Marcello Lippi's team lacks a true goal scorer. Striker Antonio Di Natale is in fine form and will try and silence the critics in that regard. Italy has what it takes to win this group but after that the jury is still out. A potential match-up against Cameroon or Denmark waits in the next round and if they slip up and finish second the Dutch might be too much to handle.

1. Italy
2. Paraguay
3. Slovakia
4. New Zealand