World Cup Predictions - Netherlands finally

Yes the headline says it all. The Netherlands are going to finally win the World Cup after being close at many stages (losses in final in 1974 and 78, semifinal loss in 1998) and squandering some of the est attacking team in soccer history. With that out of the way, the question is how we get there?

Group A - South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France
The French are in disarray heading into the tournament again, but this time there is no ZInedine Zidane to rescue them. Combine that with the lack of talent from South Africa and Mexico and Uruguay will book passage to round 2 with Mexico topping the group.

Group B - Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece
Argentina are heavily favored but Maradona is insane as the coach. They will advance, but not until after a shocking loss to South Korea which will send the Koreans through over Nigeria. Greece, while a decent team is one I can stand to pick because of their negative football. They will not go pointless, but they won't advance. Not enough offense.

Group C - England, United States, Algeria, Slovenia
Ho hum. England and the US will play a close, tense match where the result really won't matter. England through in first and US through in second.

Group D - Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana
The most difficult group to predict, any combination of teams from this group is viable with Germany weakened by the absense of Michael Ballack and the strikers not in good form. Ghana would have also been a serious threat here but for the injury to Micheal Essien. Serbia while getting a lot of hype is not a team I trust, and Austrailia didn't look very sharp against the United States last week. When all else fails, go with the proven commodity and the suprise. Germany first and Australia second.

Group E - Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon
The Dutch are going through easily here. The only question is if someone (Denmark?) can muster a draw. Of the remaining three, Cameroon has the best player in Samuel Eto'o but Denmark has the best defense. Japan is just here at this point. Netherlands first and Denmark second by marking Eto'o, Cameroon's only real goal scoring threat out of the game.

Group F - Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia
Lets just write New Zealand off now. They may take a draw somewhere here but they aren't going to win a game and they certainly aren't going to advance. That leaves Italy, Paraguay and Slovakia. Italy is old and usually doesn't round into form at major tournaments until the knockout stages begin while Paraguay has been a consistent qualifier for awhile now. Slovaki will be the odd team out with no real experience to speak of. Paraguay first and Italy second as the Italian succumb to the New Zealand draw.

Group G - Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast
Call this group the avoid Spain invitational. Second place here likely draws the Spanish team and that means there is every possibility of an early exit from one of the pre-tournament favorites. Also, poor North Korea. They are likely to get scored on a lot as the group could come down to goal differential if the others all split their games with one another. Ultimately, goal differential will be the key. Brazil, despite a loss to Ivory Coast will go through as will Portugal who defends much better than the Ivory Coast squad.

Group H - Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile
Please let there be something on the line for both teams when Spain and Chile play just so we can see the 6-3 shootout that could occur. Chile throws caution to the wind and attacks like no other team in this tournament. It will get through in second place after the beatdown coming from Spain in the final group game. The reason for the beatdown is Spain's attack that has more firepower than any other team in the tournament. They will cruise here but need to play their starters to in the final game to avoid Brazil in round 2. Honduras and Switzerland are just here for window decorations.

Knockout stage matchups
Mexico vs Argentina - We see this matchup every so often in some tournament whether it be the Copa America or the World Cup. The result is always the same: Argentina wins.
England vs Australia - Australia doesn't have the firepower to hang with England unless the notoriously bad ENglish goalkeeping rears its ugly head (which it usually doesn't until later the tournament)
Netherlands vs Italy - Italy's old creaky defense is finally going to collapse here. Dutch through after a battle
Brazil vs Chile - Qualifying Results: Spetember 7, 2008 Brazil over Chile 3-0, September 9, 2009 Brazil over Chile 4-2. No more needs to be said
South Korea vs Uruguay - The South Korean run ends here against Uruguay's high-powered attack
Germany vs United States - Upset, Germany is highly vulnerable and doesn't have the offense to exploit the vulnerable American defense
Paraguay vs Denmark - Paraguay also has offense problems and Denmark will highlight those in a low scoring victory
Spain vs Portugal - Ronaldo is not good enough to beat this team on his own

Quarterfinals
Argentina vs England - We've seen this game in the World Cup a few times and it generally ends with England losing, usually on a goalkeeping gaffe or penalties (though Hand of God would be acceptable too). No change here.
Netherlands vs Brazil - Brazil has seemed off form for awhile now. Something has been missing despite their success in qualifying and in the Confederation's Cup. The Dutch will expose whatever that is.
Uruguay vs United States - This matchup will produce a highly unlikely semifinalist. It would also likely produce entertaining attacking end-to-end soccer as neither team has much of a defense to speak of and both teams are strong offensive teams. The tiebreaker here is in goal. Tim Howard is the difference
Denmark vs Spain - The Danes runs ends here as they capitulate to the Spanish deathstar.

Semifinals
Argentina vs Netherlands - Maradona finally gets in the way again and the Argentines blow it again the Dutch who seem ready to fall apart at the first sign of prosperity as usual. They can thank Maradona when they win the tournament
United States vs Spain - A rematch of a Confederations Cup semifinal from last year, the Spaniards won't underestimate the Americans this year and also won't have Charlie Davies speed to worry about. Even with that SPain outshot the US 29-9 last year. Another game like that and we are looking at a 3-1 Spanish win

Final
Netherlands vs Spain - A guaranteed first time winner of the World Cup here. Expect fantastic attacking soccer out of these two teams and a Dutch upset.

I've posted my picks, what do you think?

Note on the United States in the semifinals - No I don't think the US is really that good. The draw just works really well for them. In fact, Germany is the only one of the seven seeded team I believe the US has a chance to beat under knockout round pressure at this tournament. Also, if the Argentina group goes to form this all changes as the Americans would face Argentina in the quarterfinals and say goodbye (of course Mexico is another option as is France depending on how things play out)