Group F Predictions

Group F (in order of FIFA Rankings)
Italy (5)
Paraguay (31)
Slovakia (34)
New Zealand (78)

Group F may well be the easiest group in the tournament despite the fact that it features the defending champs and perennial threat Italy. What does this mean for predictions? Probably, it means that either Paraguay or Slovakia could go through depending on how their meetings with each other and with mercurial Italy go. Of course, given their history of slow starts, the defending champions are also likely to do something baffling like squeak through in their last game after inexplicably drawing against the tournament's weakest team: New Zealand.

Game by Game Predictions

Italy (w) v Paraguay

Much has been made of Italy's aging and now injured squad and their pitiful warm up friendlies lost to Mexico and drawn with Switzerland. The Italians have always been slow to warm up at the WC, even when they win it all, and they have a tendency to bring as much hustle as their respect for their opponent and the expedient of the moment demands. In 2006, this attitude had them half asleep for a red card plus own goal to draw with the USA. Nonetheless, the team has probably heard enough over the last three months about how they are both geriatric and under-talented to come out motivated against the team they know poses the most threat in their group. Expect them to be disciplined on defense and to have a killer instinct if Paraguay leave even one opening for the counter attack. Final result Italy 1, Paraguay 0.

New Zealand v Slovakia (w)

Let's be honest, the All Whites are just happy to be in South Africa and won't mind playing only thrice before heading out for a nice tourist safari of the country. Despite having nothing to lose, expect them to bounce out of the tournament without a point. Slovakia and their phenom trequartista, Marek Hamsik, will dispatch them with or without ease. Final result: NZ 0, Slovakia 2

Slovakia v Paraguay (w)

This is the match that will decide second place in the group. Slovakia is a plucky team that qualified without too much fuss. Paraguay, however, qualified in the monster South American confederation reaching third place behind Brazil and Chile and ahead of Argentina and Uruguay. How? By beating - among others - Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. Yeah, they can handle Slovakia. Final result: Slovakia 1, Paraguay 3

Italy (w) v New Zealand

The Italians may still be digesting their pasta until the second half of this match so don't be surprised if it feels tighter than it should be. Nonetheless, Italy can and will reach for a bit of espresso during the halftime break to get a goal or two if they need it. All the All Whites' Maori War Dances won't be able to beat the defending champs. Final Result: Italy 2, NZ 0.

Slovakia v Italy (draw)

Marek Hamsik, Slovakia's star attacking midfielder plays in Italy and will know a trick or two for distributing and scoring goals against Cannavaro and co. Slovakia, desperate to advance after losing to Paraguay will bring everything they've got against an Italian team that will have all-but reached the next round and is conserving energy for the bigger fish in the knockout rounds. With Italy almost guaranteed to advance by this stage, don't be surprised when Slovakia go up early in the match. By the end of the second half, the Italians will turn it on, fired by the realization that they might face elimination unless NZ manages a miracle upset against Paraguay. The Italians always do just enough to advance and will score in the final 15 minutes for the draw. Final score Slovakia 1, Italy 1.

Paraguay (w) v New Zealand

Whatever an "All White" is, I hear they eat them for breakfast in Paraguay...after they grill them. The South Americans will take no chances but with advancement likely at this point, they will be eager to rack up some individual goals against their group's whipping boys. More interested in the fun of scoring at the WC, Paraguay will press up and could concede a consolation goal for the Kiwi team. Final Score, Paraguay 4, NZ 1.

FINAL GROUP RESULTS
1. Italy (7 Points)
2. Paraguay (6 Points)
3. Slovakia (4 Points)
4. New Zealand (0 Points)