Tomas Rosicky for the Czech Republic (v USA), 12 June 2006

Predictions are below....

So, day four of the World Cup saw three debutant nations. Ghana started brightly but were ultimately undone by a workmanlike, and slightly less-defensive-than-expected performance from the Italians.

We touched on tournament betting last week, and Italy were my pre-tournament tips to win the World Cup. Why? Because despite everything, the World Cup is invariably won by a team on their own continent (only Brazil have done otherwise) and almost always by a previous winner. That rationale leaves Germany (I think they have no chance), England (we will blow it), France (aging) and the Italians. I got 12-1 on them, and with probably the best centre half pairing in the tournament, some talented strikers (Luca Toni was the first player in 51 years to score over 30 goals in Serie A last season) and the creativity of the likes of Pirlo, Totti, Camaronesi and Perrotta in midfield, I think they have an excellent chance of going all the way.

In the other games yesterday, the USA made a mockery of the FIFA world rankings (they are supposedly fifth) by putting in a performance which would have seen them struggle against a decent Championship side. With no creativity, no penetration and no flair whatsoever they were humbled by a good performance from another debutant nation, the Czech Republic. The Czech star was undoubtedly Arsenal-bound Tomas Rosicky who scored two and hit the crossbar with a long range effort. The commentators were purring reminding viewers that "..this is what Arsenal can expect next season..." I wouldn't be so sure. John Jensen, anyone?

The final game saw a spirited comeback from the Australians (left) as they overcame a slightly dubious Japanese opener to score three times in the last six minutes to win the game 3-1. The Japanese were largely awful, but fair play to the Australians who never gave up. The highlight of this game for me was Gareth Southgate telling Clive Tyldesley that ".....Luke Wilkshire is another ex-Middlesbrough player." Pause. "Not that Viduka and Schwarzer are, of course....." Well done Gareth. Man management at its finest.

Anyway, some more predictions for you, matches starting this Friday - this will see us through to the end of the group stages...

Holland v Ivory Coast
Mexico v Angola
Italy v USA
Czech Republic v Ghana
Brazil v Australia
France v South Korea
Spain v Tunisia
Ecuador v Germany
Sweden v England
Holland v Argentina
Portugal v Mexico
Czech Republic v Italy
Japan v Brazil
Ukraine v Tunisia
Saudi Arabia v Spain