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Castrol Debate: How has the World Cup 2010 scenario changed after week one?
How has the World Cup picture changed after the opening fixtures?
17 Jun 2010 14:25:00
The 2010 World Cup has kicked into life. As week one draws to a close, each team has played at least once and it's fair to say things have not gone to plan.
South Africa are on the verge of elimination from their own World Cup while Uruguay have seized control of Group A.
In Group B Argentina and South Korea are seemingly in control; a draw between Nigeria and Greece would almost certainly confer progress on those two.
England did not get off to the greatest of starts in their match against USA and it is Slovenia who lead the way in Group C.
The Netherlands are up and running after a win over Denmark and Japan are favourites to join them at the moment. The Danes and the dismally underwhelming Cameroon have a lot of work to do in order to achieve knockout stage progress.
2006 World Cup winners Italy stuttered in their opening match but Group F is still an open book as all four teams have posted a point each. Prior to the Azzurri's draw with Paraguay, New Zealand tied with Slovakia. That pool is in the balance.
Favourites Brazil had to work hard for their three points against North Korea and Portugal and Cote d'Ivoire slit each other's throats in their poor drawn match. Who will progress from Group G is anyone's guess.
And most significantly, it is Spain who have suffered the first shock of the tournament.
In Group H the Spaniards were shut out by Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland, who nicked a breakaway goal to condemn one of the favourites to defeat. Along with la Furia Roja, Honduras are playing catch-up. An impressive Chile team ran out single-goal winners over the Central Americans.
It all means that the predicted qualification pattern has been drastically altered. And we could have some major upsets on our hands.
Some-mouth watering last 16 ties look to be in store, including five-times winners Brazil facing Spain - a tie that was not expected to materialise until the final. Further former winners France and Argentina look set for a showdown too. Given Diego Maradona's comments on Michel Platini yesterday, that one should provide some fireworks.
And what of the outsiders? Uruguay, South Korea and Switzerland could go deep, especially in light of results so far. Form has been good.
And how has the picture for predicted winner changed?
Using Castrol Football's Winner Predictor, this is now the favourites' table:
So Brazil retain their 'favourites' tag and they are joined in the shake-up by The Netherlands, Germany, England, Spain and Argentina. Significantly, Spain's chances have decreased markedly. However, taking into account an intriguing week one, expect the shape of the tournament to change again at the end of week two.
Check out Castrol Football's 2010 FIFA World Cup Winner Predictor and a host of other features at www.castrolfootball.com
South Africa are on the verge of elimination from their own World Cup while Uruguay have seized control of Group A.
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In Group B Argentina and South Korea are seemingly in control; a draw between Nigeria and Greece would almost certainly confer progress on those two.
England did not get off to the greatest of starts in their match against USA and it is Slovenia who lead the way in Group C.
Mixed fortunes | Uruguay sparkle, pain for Spain as Dutch ease into proceedings
The Netherlands are up and running after a win over Denmark and Japan are favourites to join them at the moment. The Danes and the dismally underwhelming Cameroon have a lot of work to do in order to achieve knockout stage progress.
2006 World Cup winners Italy stuttered in their opening match but Group F is still an open book as all four teams have posted a point each. Prior to the Azzurri's draw with Paraguay, New Zealand tied with Slovakia. That pool is in the balance.
Favourites Brazil had to work hard for their three points against North Korea and Portugal and Cote d'Ivoire slit each other's throats in their poor drawn match. Who will progress from Group G is anyone's guess.
Changing lanes | Germans rampaged — unlike England — as Argentina get going
And most significantly, it is Spain who have suffered the first shock of the tournament.
In Group H the Spaniards were shut out by Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland, who nicked a breakaway goal to condemn one of the favourites to defeat. Along with la Furia Roja, Honduras are playing catch-up. An impressive Chile team ran out single-goal winners over the Central Americans.
It all means that the predicted qualification pattern has been drastically altered. And we could have some major upsets on our hands.
- Can Spain get it together?
- Will those teams opposite the European champions in the draw try to avoid first place and thus a potential epic second-round showdown?
- Will another draw for England mean that they face Germany in round two?
- How can France, Italy and co. recover from a matchday one setback?
- Just who are NOW the favourites for the 2010 World Cup?
Some-mouth watering last 16 ties look to be in store, including five-times winners Brazil facing Spain - a tie that was not expected to materialise until the final. Further former winners France and Argentina look set for a showdown too. Given Diego Maradona's comments on Michel Platini yesterday, that one should provide some fireworks.
And what of the outsiders? Uruguay, South Korea and Switzerland could go deep, especially in light of results so far. Form has been good.
And how has the picture for predicted winner changed?
Using Castrol Football's Winner Predictor, this is now the favourites' table:
So Brazil retain their 'favourites' tag and they are joined in the shake-up by The Netherlands, Germany, England, Spain and Argentina. Significantly, Spain's chances have decreased markedly. However, taking into account an intriguing week one, expect the shape of the tournament to change again at the end of week two.
Check out Castrol Football's 2010 FIFA World Cup Winner Predictor and a host of other features at www.castrolfootball.com
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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