World Cup 2010 Group B Predictions

In this post, I will be continuing on to Group B in my World Cup predictions.

ESPN, here in the States, will be broadcasting every match so I will be watching (or at least try to watch at least a part of every match. The games that are in the afternoon and should be able to watch in their entirety, so I should be able to update this blog from time to time during the next month.

Group B consists of Argentina (7th in the world, 2nd in South America), Nigeria (21st in the world, 3rd in Africa), Greece (13th in the world, 10th in Europe), and South Korea (47th in the world, 3rd in Asia).

At first glance, Argentina seems to be the obvious favorite to come out of this group. They are after all the seeded team in the group. However, I do think that they will have to earn it and will not be easy. Nigeria could cause a few problems. Being from Africa, I think they will play as if they are playing at home. I expect 1 or 2 of the African teams to make it out to the top 16 (maybe Nigeria and Ghana or Ivory Coast). This should be an exciting World Cup as it is the first one on the continent and it is overdue.

Now to the rest of my predictions:

Argentina vs Nigeria 1-1: Argentina is another team that I think is somewhat overrated and I think Nigeria could cause some damage is this group and probably move on to the next round. I think Argentina will score early and it will remain 1-0 until the final few minutes of the match. Argentina will think that they have all 3 points and Nigeria will score around the 88th minute. It should be a really exciting match and Nigeria should do well in this one.

South Korea vs Greece (0-0)


I don't see anything spectacular coming from either team and I think that this match will disappointing. even though I think Greece is also an overrated and does not deserve the high rank they have in the world rankings, I think that they will dominate and create some chances but none of them will find the back of the net. This one is going to end in a scoreless tie.

Greece vs Nigeria (1-1): This will be another tie for Nigeria. I think Nigeria could dominate against Greece but Greece can be a tricky team no matter who they play against. Both teams should come out of this game with a point.

Argentina vs South Korea 3-0: Argentina shouldn't have any kind of a problem against South Korea. THey should dominate and score at least 2 or 3 goals.

Nigeria vs South Korea 1-1: Both teams will probably want to win this based on how the group would look according to my predictions. Nigeria could probably get through with a draw. However, the South Koreans will play tough and I think Nigeria will struggle. The first half will be scoreless. Nigeria will score at the beginning of the second half and the South Koreans will equalize later. Both teams will have chances to make a second goal but neither will find the back of the net. This draw should solidify Nigeria's place in the round of 16 because I don't se a victory for Greece against Argentina.

rGreece vs Argentina 1-2: Based on my predications, Greece will need a win in this match in order to go further. While I don't see that happening, I still think Greece will score at least one goal and have a few good chances. Argentina should win it with at least 2 goals, winning the group but not with a perfect record.

Based on my predictions, this is what the group should like at the end:

1. Argentina 2-0-1 (7 pts) 6-2 +4
2. Nigeria 0-0-3 (3 pts) 3-3 0
3. Greece 0-1-2 (2 pts) 2-3 -1
4. South Korea 0-1-2 (2 pts) 1-4 -3

This will put Argentina and Nigeria in the Round of 16 while Greece and South Korea will be eliminated in the group stage.

Stay tuned for my Group C predictions which will be posted a little later today.