Australia: The Socceroos are making their 2nd consecutive World Cup appearance.  This will be only their 3rd one overall.  They lost in the 2nd round to Italy back in 2006.  The Roos are lead by 2 English Premier League players.  Offensively led by Everton’s Tim Cahill and defensively by the 37 year old GK Mark Schwarzer of Fulham.  Australia is basically the same team from 2006, except for the retired striker Mark Viduka.  The bad news is they have not been able to find anyone that can replace the scoring threat that Viduka was.  The Roos play a very defensive 4-2-3-1, but really it is more of a 6-3-1 - they will rely on getting goals off set pieces and Cahill’s unbelievable ability in the air. Cahill is always one of the shortest players on the field, but always seems to get his head on the ball in dangerous areas in front of goal.  But this task will be a bit too much to ask for the Roos, an unfortunate draw will have them head home early.

Germany: Are you a gambler?  Do you like trends?  If you are - here is your bet - the Germans will make the quarterfinals.  Germany have made it to the quarterfinals of every World Cup since 1982.  In case you didn’t know - that’s awesome!  But this team faces some adversity coming to South Africa.  The Germans starting goalkeeper, Robert Enke, committed suicide back in November after battling depression for years.  Rene Adler is the backup and he is brilliant…oh, but wait, he is out with an injury to his ribs.  So that leaves the #3 & #4 battling it out for the starting spot - Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04) & Tim Wiese (Werder Bremen).  They are both capable of getting the Germans deep into the tournament, but can they lead them to the trophy?  No surprise here, attacking midfielder & German captain Michael Ballack (Chelsea) has an injured ankle and is out of the Cup.  I think Ballack was born with a sprained ankle.  Simon Rolfes, the holding defensive midfielder that allowed Ballack to roam and create is out with a knee injury.  Warning!!  Captain Obvious is about to appear!!  It’s never a good thing to be missing both of the starting parts of your central midfield going into the biggest tournament in the world!!  Can Germany still make a run considering all the emotions and loss of quality players they will be without in South Africa?

                                                              

Ghana: The Black Stars became very easy to breakdown on Thursday.  Michael Essien (Chelsea) has been ruled out and because of that, Ghana’s hopes of making a deep run ended right there.  Their midfield still will consist of Sulley Muntari (Inter) and Stephen Appiah (Bologna), but the loss of Essien is catastrophic.  The experience that Essien would have brought, EPL title winner, as well as a player that played a key role in a deep Champion’s League run 2 years ago with Chelsea.  Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game (just ask Germany), but can Ghana overcome them?

Serbia: This is my dark horse of the tournament.  Their backline has Nemanja Vidic from Manchester United and Branislav Ivanovic who plays for Chelsea. Their attack is centered around creative midfielder Dejan Stankovic.  They also have Standard Liege midfielder Milan Jovanovic, who has scored over 50 goals in leading his club to 2 Belgian league titles.  The White Eagles won their qualifying group, and that group included France & Ireland.  If their goalkeeping can be decent, and that might be asking a bit much, they could make a deep run.

Biggest Match of the Group Stage: Any of the games not involving Germany.  Any of the 3 teams, Australia, Ghana & Serbia can finish the runner-up to the Germans.

Blast from the Past: None of significance to this point.

What the Future Holds: The winner of the Group will get the runner-up from Group C (USA).  The runner-up in this group will get the winner of Group C (England).

Prediction: Germany wins the Group and will play the USA (hello storylines…the Americans still feel like they were robbed of a victory back in the 2002 quarterfinals).  Serbia finishes 2nd and will play England in the 1st round of the knockout stage.

Are we crazy…let us know in the comment section below.