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World Cup 2010: Know Your Rivals - Group A Predictions
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Dec 27, 2009 1:30:00 PM
Welcome to Goal.com - Know Your Rivals for the World Cup 2010!
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
Stay on Goal.com for all the World Cup build-up from right across the world, starting with predictions of all eight groups from the local experts...
GROUP A
How do the experts of Group A think that the group will go? Here we ask our local experts for their thoughts on their teams' three games, in order of play. If you want to know how South African experts feel about the prospect of meeting France, read on...
South Africa
With Peter Pedroncelli
South Africa 1-0 Mexico
Bafana Bafana have been struggling of late, but a change in coaching staff and the addition of a few previously exiled players has already had a good effect in the squad’s improvement and by the World Cup they will be a better side. Mexico are a tough team, but an opening game in front of around 90,000 fans will be a huge confidence boost and perhaps South Africa could find a narrow win against Mexico.
South Africa 1-1 Uruguay
Bafana are struggling to find the back of the net at the moment, so high-scoring games are unlikely and perhaps the second game of the World Cup will see them draw against their South American opponents. A low-scoring draw would give South Africa a valuable point going into a final game against France.
South Africa 0-2 France
The hosts will need to have done enough to secure qualification by the third game, as France will be a huge obstacle for South Africa, and it is unlikely that they will be able to score against the European side. A loss by a couple of goals is a likely result considering the pedigree of the former world champions.
Mexico
With Juan Antonio Davalos
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
Inconsistency has been a problem for South Africa. The team has not had the necessary continuity with a coach, which could be an advantage for Mexico in the opening game. Javier Aguirre’s side know little about the African teams, and they will have to prepare and study South Africa to get a good result. A goal from Giovani dos Santos will win the three points.
France 2-1 Mexico
European teams are generally complicated to play against for the Mexican national team. The Mexicans have won few times in history against European rivals. They might use the fact that the French have not been in impressive form to motivate them, and they may be able to take away at least a point from the game. The only goal of Mexico will be scored by Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Mexico 1-1 Uruguay
Both teams know each other, and have divided positive results in recent matches. It will be a tough game. Mexico must take special care in midfield because Uruguay have dangerous players like Sebastian Abreu. The same Abreu will open the scoring and Carlos Vela will equalise for Mexico.
France
With Alexandre Walraevens
France 1-0 Uruguay
I believe that Uruguay are a hard team to play. They are not the typical South American team which is a little bit lazy in defence...they are strong, physical and do not play like a South American team. I really think it will be tough, not a nice match to watch, but France will find the net once in this match. I see a goal by Thierry Henry, our captain, from the penalty spot or with a free kick. I predict a close game.
France 2-0 Mexico
This should be a different game from the one against Uruguay. Mexico are better than Uruguay, but their game seems a better proposition for the French team. They have some good players at the back, like Marquez, but I doubt they can beat us. They probably deserve to go to the next round, but I predict that France will play better football (and hopefully gain a better result) against Mexico.
South Africa 1-3 France
Playing the hosts in the last match is better for us. It is difficult to say which team will play against South Africa - the best XI or the substitutes? In either case, South Africa seem to be the weakest team of the group and I see France winning easily.
Uruguay
With Martin Decaux
Uruguay 1-0 France
France have been playing poorly in recent times and the Domenech era is coming to an end. As shown in 2002, and in a recent friendly in Paris, the Uruguayan style can control key French players, and do damage on the counter attack. Underdogs La Celeste will create an upset in their debut game, with a Diego Forlan goal settling it.
Uruguay 1-1 South Africa
Uruguay are not a regular team, so it's unlikely that they will win two matches in a row. In addition, Bafana Bafana will likely be in need of points after a poor start. Steven Pienaar and young Nicolas Lodeiro's first ever goal with the national team will see the point shared.
Uruguay 1-1 Mexico
In a high voltage match between two teams that know each other very well, qualification to the second phase will be at stake. It will be a tough match, with a couple of red cards and around 50 fouls. Cuauhtemoc Blanco will score for Mexico, but Diego Lugano is going to save Uruguay in dramatic fashion.
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
Stay on Goal.com for all the World Cup build-up from right across the world, starting with predictions of all eight groups from the local experts...
GROUP A
How do the experts of Group A think that the group will go? Here we ask our local experts for their thoughts on their teams' three games, in order of play. If you want to know how South African experts feel about the prospect of meeting France, read on...
South Africa
With Peter Pedroncelli
South Africa 1-0 Mexico
Bafana Bafana have been struggling of late, but a change in coaching staff and the addition of a few previously exiled players has already had a good effect in the squad’s improvement and by the World Cup they will be a better side. Mexico are a tough team, but an opening game in front of around 90,000 fans will be a huge confidence boost and perhaps South Africa could find a narrow win against Mexico.
South Africa 1-1 Uruguay
Bafana are struggling to find the back of the net at the moment, so high-scoring games are unlikely and perhaps the second game of the World Cup will see them draw against their South American opponents. A low-scoring draw would give South Africa a valuable point going into a final game against France.
South Africa 0-2 France
The hosts will need to have done enough to secure qualification by the third game, as France will be a huge obstacle for South Africa, and it is unlikely that they will be able to score against the European side. A loss by a couple of goals is a likely result considering the pedigree of the former world champions.
Mexico
With Juan Antonio Davalos
Mexico 1-0 South Africa
Inconsistency has been a problem for South Africa. The team has not had the necessary continuity with a coach, which could be an advantage for Mexico in the opening game. Javier Aguirre’s side know little about the African teams, and they will have to prepare and study South Africa to get a good result. A goal from Giovani dos Santos will win the three points.
France 2-1 Mexico
European teams are generally complicated to play against for the Mexican national team. The Mexicans have won few times in history against European rivals. They might use the fact that the French have not been in impressive form to motivate them, and they may be able to take away at least a point from the game. The only goal of Mexico will be scored by Cuauhtemoc Blanco.
Mexico 1-1 Uruguay
Both teams know each other, and have divided positive results in recent matches. It will be a tough game. Mexico must take special care in midfield because Uruguay have dangerous players like Sebastian Abreu. The same Abreu will open the scoring and Carlos Vela will equalise for Mexico.
France
With Alexandre Walraevens
France 1-0 Uruguay
I believe that Uruguay are a hard team to play. They are not the typical South American team which is a little bit lazy in defence...they are strong, physical and do not play like a South American team. I really think it will be tough, not a nice match to watch, but France will find the net once in this match. I see a goal by Thierry Henry, our captain, from the penalty spot or with a free kick. I predict a close game.
France 2-0 Mexico
This should be a different game from the one against Uruguay. Mexico are better than Uruguay, but their game seems a better proposition for the French team. They have some good players at the back, like Marquez, but I doubt they can beat us. They probably deserve to go to the next round, but I predict that France will play better football (and hopefully gain a better result) against Mexico.
South Africa 1-3 France
Playing the hosts in the last match is better for us. It is difficult to say which team will play against South Africa - the best XI or the substitutes? In either case, South Africa seem to be the weakest team of the group and I see France winning easily.
Uruguay
With Martin Decaux
Uruguay 1-0 France
France have been playing poorly in recent times and the Domenech era is coming to an end. As shown in 2002, and in a recent friendly in Paris, the Uruguayan style can control key French players, and do damage on the counter attack. Underdogs La Celeste will create an upset in their debut game, with a Diego Forlan goal settling it.
Uruguay 1-1 South Africa
Uruguay are not a regular team, so it's unlikely that they will win two matches in a row. In addition, Bafana Bafana will likely be in need of points after a poor start. Steven Pienaar and young Nicolas Lodeiro's first ever goal with the national team will see the point shared.
Uruguay 1-1 Mexico
In a high voltage match between two teams that know each other very well, qualification to the second phase will be at stake. It will be a tough match, with a couple of red cards and around 50 fouls. Cuauhtemoc Blanco will score for Mexico, but Diego Lugano is going to save Uruguay in dramatic fashion.
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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