My bet is Brazil. The only thing that can stop the 'Magic Quartet' is Parreira being too conservative. If he just lets them do their stuff, they'll wipe the floor with everyone they meet.

As for England, yet again we have the potential to win it, but we wont. Rooney's probably going to be out (unless the F.A make him come back to early and f**k him up good) for the early stages if not the entire competition. Gerrard is the best bet to replace him, but that will require a holding player, and since Sven refuses to give the best player in that position a proper shot at it (Carrick) I can imagine England falling apart completely after the group stages.

I think the Hungary game showed that without Rooney, Sven's 'tactics' will isolate Owen and Gerrard and force us to rely on set pieces. Beckham's right foot (nice to see he hasn't lost that talent) and Terry's head will provide most of the goals. The game also showed that Crouch can't dance, and Sven still insist on playing Hargreaves for some completely inexplicable reason. For the love of God man, he's crap!!!!!

Ahhhh, I never tire of a football rant...

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It's the difference between suicide and slow capitulation... - Jim Morrison