Nearly Here

Admit it! I had you going for a bit there didn't I?

You lot actually thought that I could resist commenting just two days from the World Cup? You realise I've been waiting this for four years. Bloody Steve McLaren stopped me truly enjoying the last European Championships, making this the first time I've been allowed to get ridiculously patriotically excited since the stamp, the winker and Jamie Carragher forgetting to wait for the whistle knocked us out of the last World Cup.

I wonder if you lot are as excited as me? How could you possibly not want to be sitting at home all day everyday watching football? Unless of course you're forced to be at home because you've just had knee surgery or something like that.

So the time for all the talking is done. I could have written about the sad absence of Rio Ferdinand, or for that matter many others. I could have written about the omission of Theo Walcott, or for that matter many. I could have written about the shock inclusion of well I can't think of any. But the point is I've said the time for talking is done so I will stick to it.

Instead I shall go for some predictions, which is still talking but it's just foolish talking that could make me look, well, foolish!

First up is the groups;

Group A: Based on past tournaments it is difficult to count out the hosts not progressing and it would be great for the tournament if they did. Sadly though I see France and Mexico being the teams to get through.

Group B: Though Diego Maradona will try his hardest to screw up Argentina's chances I'm pretty sure they'll have a simple passage through. 2nd place is pretty difficult to call in a group of average teams but I'm going for South Korea to just pip it.

Group C: England and U.S.A to progress, although I would fancy Algeria to give the Americans a run for their money. Saturday's evening game between England and America should be an interesting start for the three lions but I'm expecting a comfortable 3-1 win.

Group D: Don't count out the Germans! And I certainly won't be as, despite missing Michael Ballack, they should have enough discipline in their side to progress easily. Behind them I'll go for Australia, it'll be tight between them, Ghana and Serbia but I feel the Aussies, with Tim Cahill, have more fire-power.

Group E: Finally I'll back an African side to come through the Groups in beating Denmark to 2nd place in this group. I say 2nd place because I fully expect the Dutch to start strong before fading quickly in the quarters, just like they often do and just like the English.

Group F: Reigning champions Italy should progress with relative ease, despite the fact that their squad won't exude confidence to the nations fans. They'll take Paraguay with them into the 2nd round.

Group G: "The Group of Death" or so they say. Despite this apparent deathly group the Brazilians will come through very much alive and kicking and may go all the way once again. Who will go through with them though? First off it won't be North Korea. Last week I'd have said Ivory Coast, but it could be difficult if Drogba's unavailable. On the other hand I'll stick with my instinct and say The Elephants will progress.

Group H: The Spanish are coming, and they've got a bloody squad too. Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Puyol, Pique, Ramos, Villa, Torres- I'll stop! They're through, long gone are the days of Spanish chocking! With them will be Chile.

Surprise package: Chile and Paraguay both certainly have the chance to surprise teams way into the latter stages and hosts South Africa could climb out of a tricky group. Truth be told any African side could finally break the mould and reach a World Cup semi-final.

and the winner? Well do you expect me to change my mind now? good it's England- all the way it's England. It won't be easy but we can do it!