By, Danny Caro
6 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Some of the leading figures from the MGBSFL, MJSL and further afield have given their predictions about the destiny of the 2014 World Cup, host nation Brazil, holders Spain or Argentina highly-fancied.
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DAVID GARBACZ (Hendon United Sports Club)
ENGLAND VERDICT: England's group will all depend on how many goals they score against Costa Rica as the Italy game is a nailed on draw and I fancy Uruguay to beat them. I’m not optimistic and I see them going out in a blaze of non glory and post mortem in round 1.
ONE TO WATCH: Romelu Lukaku has been scoring for fun in qualification and pre tournament. The system Belguim play will give him numerous chances per match - they have a relatively easy draw and at 33/1 he is a cracking bet for tournament top scorer.
DARK HORSES: They are well touted as lively outsiders and the sceptics will point to lack of big tournament experience, but Belguim are the real deal and I expect them to reach the semis at least and fly the flag in style for Europe. Oppose Holland by the way- this is the worst Dutch squad in living memory.
WINNERS: Look no further than Brazil- no marks for originality admittedly but everything is in their favour - experience, recent Confederations Cup winners, conditions, great squad, good draw, but above all home advantage which will be huge. Get ready for the biggest samba party of all time on July 13!
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TONY GOLD
ENGLAND VERDICT: Obviously would love to see England do well, but they just have too many elements stacked up against them, including the climate. Defensive frailties mean that we will be susceptible to good movement and pace which Italy and Uruguay have in abundance. I suspect the game against Italy will be a draw given it's the first game and what's at stake for both sides. Uruguay will be the MUST-win game and I just don't believe we have the technical quality in the final third to win the game. I can also see Costa Rica causing us problems. I hate to say it, but England's World Cup ends in the Group stages.
ONE TO WATCH: Juan Fernando Quintero (Colombia) - Quintero has a tremendous future ahead. A great young attacking midfielder that can play in several positions.
DARK HORSES: If their best 11 stay fit, Chile can make waves. I can see Chile beating Holland and finishing second behind Spain in the group. That would potentially mean a second round game against Brazil and I believe Chile could cause a huge upset.
WINNERS: Argentina - They possess outstanding firepower. This World Cup is Lionel Messi's legacy. The only issue is finding a balance of which Mascherano is crucial, he is the only ball-winner of any real quality and his performances will be key.
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RIC BLANK (Oakwood A)
ENGLAND VERDICT: Hard to say how far England will go. Anyone can fluke it in a tournament. They have good pace but top teams are clever enough to deal with it. Could do quarters.
ONE TO WATCH:. Rooney and Gerrard have been utterly appalling for England over the years. Both have so much to prove in their last major tournie. Be interesting to see how they do.
DARK HORSES: I don’t know enough about the teams and international football isn't the hidden surprise it used to be. Everyone knows every player and team now so hard to see any dark horses. I think Chile will be a real handful for anyone who under estimates them. That said, I backed Colombia in 94...
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JONATHAN ADELMAN (Norstar London Raiders)
ENGLAND VERDICT: I’d be surprised to see England make it out of the group to be honest, unless Roy has the guts to throw in Sterling, Lalana and Barkley from the off. For me Barkley has the potential to explode on the international stage at a World Cup like a Gazza or an Owen, but he has to be given the chance.
DARK HORSES: Belgium have been marked by many as dark horses and given I got them in the Raiders World Cup sweepstake and they have a good contingent of Spurs players they are certainly one to watch along with Uruguay who look very potent going forward.
WINNERS: I can't see further than Brazil or Argentina and I just fancy the hosts to go all the way, perhaps with Paulinho scoring the winner in the final!
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ADAM GLEKIN (Hendon United Sports Club)
ENGLAND VERDICT: Can't see England getting out the group to be honest. Partly because I'm a proud Scotsman, and partly because I can't see them getting anything more than four points from their three games which may not be enough.
ONE TO WATCH: Not the boldest of predictions, but I fancy Eden Hazard will lead Belgium to at least the semi-finals.
DARK HORSES: Belgium -not sure if they can be considered dark horses with the strength of their squad though. Also Colombia.
WINNERS: Spain - I'm surprised everyone is writing them off, they still have an unbelievably strong squad - leaving out Negredo, Navas etc is testament to that. They might need Diego Costa to be fit though otherwise they could struggle to score enough goals.
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IRVING MODLIN (Maccabi Manchester 2nds manager)
ENGLAND VERDICT: With no high expectations, England will do well to progress from their group.
ONE TO WATCH: David Silva (Spain)
DARK HORSES: Belgium
WINNERS: Argentina
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STUART DELMONTE (AFC Flixton)
ENGLAND VERDICT: I think England will get to the last eight at least - the balance of the team, young and not so young...pace all over, and goals from everywhere
ONE TO WATCH: Daniel Sturridge - Chelsea will be kicking themselves, I, being an Arsenal fan, prefer him to Suarez
DARK HORSES: Belgium
WINNERS: Spain
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RICHARD HAMBURGER (Maccabi Manchester 3rds player-manager)
ENGLAND VERDICT: Will escape from the group. A second round or last-eight spot beckons.
ONE TO WATCH: Raheem Sterling (England)
DARK HORSES: Belgium
WINNERS: Spain
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TONY ROSEBERG (AFC Flixton)
ENGLAND CHANCES: A respectable quarter-final place is as far as Roy Hodgson’s side will go
ONE TO WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
DARK HORSES: Belgium
WINNERS: Brazil
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JODY MARKS (South Manchester)
ENGLAND VERDICT: If we play without fear, we can go all the way
ONE TO WATCH: Christian Atsu (Ghana)
DARK HORSES: Iran
WINNERS: Argentina
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VIV EMANUEL
ENGLAND VERDICT: England will get through group stage plus one more round. Win, loss, draw. Beat Colombia in next round.
ONE TO WATCH: Lukaku – a potential golden boot winner
DARK HORSES: Belgium. On paper what a squad!! Lukaku golden boot.
WINNERS: Final will be Argentina vs Brazil. Brazil to win! Neymar to score extra-time winner.
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STIRLING KAY (North West Neasden)
ENGLAND VERDICT: England quarter-finals
ONE TO WATCH: Lallana
DARK HORSES: Chile to win
WINNER: Spain
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JAKE ERLICH (Jewdinese)
ENGLAND VERDICT: We have a young team ready to impress and with the likes of Suarez potentially not playing I can see us getting out the group.
ONE TO WATCH: Wayne Rooney - a lot to prove on the international level and I feel this is his World Cup.
DARK HORSES: Belgium. A very strong young team with a lot of world class talent. They can pose a threat with a good run.
WINNERS: I don’t see how anyone can look past Brazil. On home soil with an unbelievable squad. Brazils to lose.
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DAVID DOMB (Norstar London Raiders B)
ENGLAND VERDICT: I can see England registering seven points from their group games. From then on, the first knock-out game could be quite kind to them, but I fear it will end at the last eight.
ONE TO WATCH: Antoine Griezmann
DARK HORSES: how many others will say Belgium?
WINNERS: Brazil - hard to look past the hosts
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DAVID SELIGMAN (Heaton Park Rovers player-manager)
ENGLAND VERDICT: To qualify as group winners before bowing out in the quarter-finals.
ONE TO WATCH: Neymar (Brazil)
DARK HORSES: England
WINNERS: Argentina
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PHIL PETERS (Norstar London Raiders)
ENGLAND VERDICT: Quarters
ONE TO WATCH: Pogba
DARK HORSES: Ivory Coast
WINNERS: Spain
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DAVID GARSON (Faithfold C)
ENGLAND VERDICT: Quarter-finals
ONE TO WATCH: Mbia from Camaroon
DARK HORSES: Cameroon
WINNERS: Argentina
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DARREN YARLETT
ENGLAND VERDICT: Hope to see England get out the group and make the quarters
ONES TO WATCH: Raheem Sterling, Lukaku, Hazard
DARK HORSES: Belgium
WINNERS: Spain
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IRVING MODLIN (Maccabi Manchester 2nds manager)
ENGLAND VERDICT: With no high expectations, England will do well to progress from their group.
ONE TO WATCH: David Silva (Spain)
DARK HORSES: Belgium
WINNERS: Argentina
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RICKY LAWRENCE (SPEC FC)
ENGLAND VERDICT: Quarter-finals
ONE TO WATCH: I reckon Higuain will be top-scorer. I hope Barkley gets a decent amount of game time too.
DARK HORSES: Colombia
WINNERS: Brazil
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IAN TUSSIE (Oakwood B)
ENGLAND VERDICT: I think we'll get there, go straight to the beach in our vests and England shorts, some will put on sun cream, but run straight into sea and forget to reapply, others will forget altogether, and we'll end up defaulting at half-time in our second game due to sun-stroke.
ONE TO WATCH: Martin Demichelis - the best defender in the last three months of the season.
DARK HORSES: Ivory Coast, anyone with Yaya in their team has to be feared.
WINNERS: Head says Brazil, heart says Argentina.
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Darren Witcoop contributed to this article
