World Cup 2014
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Group G
Germany: Santa Cruz Cabralia
Best price = 6/1
FIFA's key players
Keeper Manuel Neuer is the undisputed No1, while many experts believe he is the real deal, equipped not only to follow in the footsteps of Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann, but also to develop into one of the best in the world. Full-back Philipp Lahm and schemer Bastian Schweinsteiger earned their international spurs long ago: each has reached 100 caps but is still at their peak.
The next generation appears immensely promising too. Former Real Madrid starlet Mesut Ozil, who now laces his boots at Arsenal was just 21 when he thrilled the crowds at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is a gifted creative player with passing ability to match the best in the world. Up front, Thomas Muller won the adidas Golden Boot and was named Best Young Player at the 2010 finals, while youngsters Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze keep getting better and better.
My key player: Philip Lahm
Coach: Joachim Low
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Switzerland 1954, Germany 1974, Italy 1990 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Australia 1981 (Winners)
Portugal: Campinas
Best price = 33/1
FIFA's key players
As he showed in the play-off against Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo is still very much Portugal’s go-to man, though the peerless Real Madrid star is supported is by a very able cast. The central-defensive pairing of Pepe and Bruno Alves is the cornerstone of a very solid rearguard that also features flying full-backs Joao Pereira and Fabio Coentrao. Joao Moutinho is the heartbeat of a creative midfield unit, while Nani can also be relied upon to shine alongside Ronaldo.
My key player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Current coach: Paulo Bento
Best performances in a FIFA competition: 1966 FIFA World Cup England (third place), FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia 1989 and Portugal 1991 (winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 (runners-up), FIFA U-17 World Cup Scotland 1989 (third place).
Ghana: Maceio
Best price = 250/1
FIFA's key players
There are few better midfields in the world than Ghana's as the Black Stars can call on veterans Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari as well as players hitting their prime like Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Up front, the athletic Asamoah Gyan will be a vital focal point and no doubt anxious to prove that Ghana can be the undisputed class of Africa.
My key player: Kevin-Prince Boateng
Coach: Kwesi Appiah
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 (Quarter-finals), FIFA U-17 World Cup Italy 1991, Ecuador 1995 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 (Winners)
USA: Sao Paulo
Best price = 250/1
FIFA's Key players
Jozy Altidore, of English Premier League outfit Sunderland, emerged as the complete package during the final qualifying competition. Left out of the team due to poor form and attitude in the semi-final round, Klinsmann reconsidered and wasn’t let down by his burly striker, who scored goals for fun and was the perfect partner for Clint Dempsey in attack. Landon Donovan, long-time creative icon of the US national, made a return to football after a self-imposed months-long ‘sabbatical’ and linked up beautifully with the sturdy central midfield presence of Roma’s Michael Bradley. With Tim Howard still a dominant presence between the sticks, the Americans are loaded with ability wherever you look.
My key player: Geoff Cameron
Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Best performances in a FIFA Competition: FIFA World Cup Uruguay 1930 (Third place), FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1992, Mexico 1999 (Third place), FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia 1989 (Fourth place), FIFA U-17 World Cup New Zealand 1999 (Fourth place), FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 (Second place)
Group G Summary
Germany have a team absolutely full of stars. Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Khedira, Kroos, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Muller etc. They have amazing World Cup pedigree, and all their players play at top teams. They are a side that everyone will be afraid of and they are rightly in the top 3 in the outright market. But they have about the worst draw of the whole tournament in terms of European sides playing in difficult conditions. They play Portugal in Salvador then Ghana in Fortaleza and finally USA in Recife. I suspect that the conditions will favour all three of their opponents more than them. They also have a fair amount of travelling to do, with 700m, 2000m and 1700m round trips from their base in Santa Cruz Cabralia. Lastly, whilst their defence and midfield is full of starsthey seem to lack quality in the forward department, with only Klose and Hofland as out-and-out strikers. For these reason, and more importantly the price, I am going to take Germany on. Portugal are my idea of group winners. In terms of conditions they have landed on their feet. They play Germany in conditions the Southern Europeans might cope better with, and then when they play Ghana, unlike Germany, it will be in cooler Cuiaba. I worry about the amount of travelling the Portugese have to do, but speaking the language might be a big advantage for the Portugese, and they may get some support from their Brazilian "brothers" as Ronaldo has requested. But even on their own terms, Portugal are an excellent team packed with talent and with Ronaldo in the side anything is possible. Ghana are the other reason I am opposing Germany. They are nobody's mugs, and taking on Germany in Fortaleza gives them a chance of an upset. They are very well organised, physical and full of technical ability. If anything I always think Ghana would benefit from being a bit more flexible and attacking, but they have threatened to go a long way despite some shocking draws in previous tournaments and this one could be the one where they do. USA are the weakest team in the group in my eyes, have three games in hot & humid conditions and have a stupid amount of travelling to do. I don't see them qualifying, but they have excellent spirit and they are capable of throwing a spanner in the works of any of these three teams, which is another reason why I don't mind opposing the short-priced Germans in this group.
Bets
Lay Germany as group winners at 1.65 or less
Lay Germany to qualify at 1.18
Ghana to qualify at 3/1
Germany: Santa Cruz Cabralia
Best price = 6/1
FIFA's key players
Keeper Manuel Neuer is the undisputed No1, while many experts believe he is the real deal, equipped not only to follow in the footsteps of Oliver Kahn and Jens Lehmann, but also to develop into one of the best in the world. Full-back Philipp Lahm and schemer Bastian Schweinsteiger earned their international spurs long ago: each has reached 100 caps but is still at their peak.
The next generation appears immensely promising too. Former Real Madrid starlet Mesut Ozil, who now laces his boots at Arsenal was just 21 when he thrilled the crowds at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is a gifted creative player with passing ability to match the best in the world. Up front, Thomas Muller won the adidas Golden Boot and was named Best Young Player at the 2010 finals, while youngsters Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze keep getting better and better.
My key player: Philip Lahm
Coach: Joachim Low
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Switzerland 1954, Germany 1974, Italy 1990 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Australia 1981 (Winners)
Portugal: Campinas
Best price = 33/1
FIFA's key players
As he showed in the play-off against Sweden, Cristiano Ronaldo is still very much Portugal’s go-to man, though the peerless Real Madrid star is supported is by a very able cast. The central-defensive pairing of Pepe and Bruno Alves is the cornerstone of a very solid rearguard that also features flying full-backs Joao Pereira and Fabio Coentrao. Joao Moutinho is the heartbeat of a creative midfield unit, while Nani can also be relied upon to shine alongside Ronaldo.
My key player: Cristiano Ronaldo
Current coach: Paulo Bento
Best performances in a FIFA competition: 1966 FIFA World Cup England (third place), FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia 1989 and Portugal 1991 (winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 (runners-up), FIFA U-17 World Cup Scotland 1989 (third place).
Ghana: Maceio
Best price = 250/1
FIFA's key players
There are few better midfields in the world than Ghana's as the Black Stars can call on veterans Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari as well as players hitting their prime like Andre Ayew, Kwadwo Asamoah and Kevin-Prince Boateng. Up front, the athletic Asamoah Gyan will be a vital focal point and no doubt anxious to prove that Ghana can be the undisputed class of Africa.
My key player: Kevin-Prince Boateng
Coach: Kwesi Appiah
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 (Quarter-finals), FIFA U-17 World Cup Italy 1991, Ecuador 1995 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009 (Winners)
USA: Sao Paulo
Best price = 250/1
FIFA's Key players
Jozy Altidore, of English Premier League outfit Sunderland, emerged as the complete package during the final qualifying competition. Left out of the team due to poor form and attitude in the semi-final round, Klinsmann reconsidered and wasn’t let down by his burly striker, who scored goals for fun and was the perfect partner for Clint Dempsey in attack. Landon Donovan, long-time creative icon of the US national, made a return to football after a self-imposed months-long ‘sabbatical’ and linked up beautifully with the sturdy central midfield presence of Roma’s Michael Bradley. With Tim Howard still a dominant presence between the sticks, the Americans are loaded with ability wherever you look.
My key player: Geoff Cameron
Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
Best performances in a FIFA Competition: FIFA World Cup Uruguay 1930 (Third place), FIFA Confederations Cup Saudi Arabia 1992, Mexico 1999 (Third place), FIFA U-20 World Cup Saudi Arabia 1989 (Fourth place), FIFA U-17 World Cup New Zealand 1999 (Fourth place), FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009 (Second place)
Group G Summary
Germany have a team absolutely full of stars. Neuer, Lahm, Hummels, Boateng, Khedira, Kroos, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Muller etc. They have amazing World Cup pedigree, and all their players play at top teams. They are a side that everyone will be afraid of and they are rightly in the top 3 in the outright market. But they have about the worst draw of the whole tournament in terms of European sides playing in difficult conditions. They play Portugal in Salvador then Ghana in Fortaleza and finally USA in Recife. I suspect that the conditions will favour all three of their opponents more than them. They also have a fair amount of travelling to do, with 700m, 2000m and 1700m round trips from their base in Santa Cruz Cabralia. Lastly, whilst their defence and midfield is full of starsthey seem to lack quality in the forward department, with only Klose and Hofland as out-and-out strikers. For these reason, and more importantly the price, I am going to take Germany on. Portugal are my idea of group winners. In terms of conditions they have landed on their feet. They play Germany in conditions the Southern Europeans might cope better with, and then when they play Ghana, unlike Germany, it will be in cooler Cuiaba. I worry about the amount of travelling the Portugese have to do, but speaking the language might be a big advantage for the Portugese, and they may get some support from their Brazilian "brothers" as Ronaldo has requested. But even on their own terms, Portugal are an excellent team packed with talent and with Ronaldo in the side anything is possible. Ghana are the other reason I am opposing Germany. They are nobody's mugs, and taking on Germany in Fortaleza gives them a chance of an upset. They are very well organised, physical and full of technical ability. If anything I always think Ghana would benefit from being a bit more flexible and attacking, but they have threatened to go a long way despite some shocking draws in previous tournaments and this one could be the one where they do. USA are the weakest team in the group in my eyes, have three games in hot & humid conditions and have a stupid amount of travelling to do. I don't see them qualifying, but they have excellent spirit and they are capable of throwing a spanner in the works of any of these three teams, which is another reason why I don't mind opposing the short-priced Germans in this group.
Bets
Lay Germany as group winners at 1.65 or less
Lay Germany to qualify at 1.18
Ghana to qualify at 3/1
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Replies: 16
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your really with the weather angle arent you. It will be a big part to play later in the tournament but i just cant have germany nor qualifying should really be picking up 9 points here
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It isn't just the weather, but in 11 days they have got to do three journeys the equivalent of a London to Carlisle round trip, London to Warsaw round trip and a London to Bucharest round trip. They have three very good sides to play AND when they play them, after all the travelling, they'll play in conditions that will suit their opponents more than them.
Don't get me wrong, I do think Germany should be favourites for the group, and I do think they will qualify, but at the price I have to oppose them. |
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cant argue with the points and reasoning u have made at all. Youve stated your opinions backed it up with facts and stuck your neck out right or wrong... wish eveyone on these forus was more like this
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I think the advantage Ghana have in suitability of the conditions against Germany is heavily outweighed by the younger German legs. The same factor, added of course to their massive techincal superiority, would make Germany invulnerable in my view against the Yanks, whatever the conditions.
I do agree however that Portugal are big runners here, I think they give Germany a real test in any conditions, but Salvador gives them the edge. I make them contenders for the whole thing, as you say there has got to be mileage in their links and common language with Brazil. |
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i can see ghana causing a shock or 2 here
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I posted this on another thread
1st Group G matches: 13:00 local time Germany V Portugal in Salvador (avg daily high temp 80 deg, 82% humidity); 19:00 local USA V Ghana , avg high temp 82 deg, ??% humidity) Most of the Germany team are big units, from 6'0" to 6'6". A 13:00 start in their first match will be draining, especially chasing Ronaldo. 2nd Group G match five days later Germany V Ghana 16:00 local time, avg temp 79, humidity 81%. I hope Germany will still be feeling the first match in their legs. |
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i have done some research on the effects of flying.as an aircraft is pressurised the oxygen level is reduced by 30% for safety reasons fire is one effect on us humans another etc.sitting down for a few hours breathing in 30% less oxygen wont effect most of us that much except for jet lag.but take a very fit person ie a world cup footballer then this fact has a massive effect and times that by 3 group games even more so.
if you dont believe this has a major effect.do your own research.have a look at the kilimanjaro trip, robbie savage had to give up his climb to the summit due to his lungs having more capacity then us lesser equipped, his body wasnt getting the oxygen required and he was advised he could die if he went on.ok thats an extreme case but oxygen will play a part in this world cup as it wont be the same for everyone. |
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dukeofpuke
I have loaded the spreadsheet marychain1 e-mailed me to check the flying distances again. Any idea how long it takes in days to recover from a flight? In 1978 I flew from Zambia to Ireland as I wanted a holiday/and to see all the World Cup on TV as the local TV was dire. I arrived at the parents house 1/2 hour before kickoff of the first game. I had been playing twice a week in Zambia. When I went back I couldn't run a yard, but thought it was the Guinness effect. Perhaps it was the 5000 mile flight. |
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any ideas that varies from player to player and coaching tactics.i'll give you a few examples
when gerard houllier was in charge of liverpool, they used to get to the away games in europe 2 days early where possible and used to train to get their oxygen levels back up.they also used to where possible delay the flight back and again train before flying back rather than wind down go to sleep then take the morning flight. certain players dont stand much training robin van persie is one, and any players carrying injuries or are prone to injuries will not go through the same regime as the others, this may leave those players flat when match day comes around but saying that the quality players seem to always get through, there will be exceptions rooney is one who has struggled with injuries and performed flat in previous world cups also heard this when teams are playing away and staying in hotels, they send in specialist cleaners to the hotels rooms and they wear protective clothing and hoover everything in the room, especially the bed they sleep on to prevent any contamination be it hay fever allergy or any other type of thing the players may not be used to, as foreign dust isnt local dust and has different things in which can trigger a reaction in certain players etc |
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Are the figures on pinacle's world cup preview wrong then?
According to them,distance travelled,in miles for the teams in Group G: Ger 1031 Ghana 1321 Port 2823 USA 3482 |
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Yes they are wrong.
Country Base City G1 miles G2 miles G3 miles (this is one way, not round trips from base camp to city of match) Germany Santa Cruz Cabralia Salvador 364 Fortaleza 1048 Recife 861 Portugal Campinas Salvador 1200 Manaus 2323 Brasilia 568 Ghana Maceio Natal 337 Fortaleza 591 Brasilia 1181 USA Sao Paolo Natal 1798 Manaus 2388 Recife 1625 |
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Is there a site I can find the figures for the other groups do you know?
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I can send you my spreadsheet if you give me your email address by pm?
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HERE IT IS, THIS IS WHERE THE BIG GROUP STAGE SHOCK LIES
1...Portugal 2...Ghana 3...USA 4...Germany |
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That would do me
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not a good start
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