2010 FIFA World Cup Prediction - Group D

Click WC logo for group details and flags for team details:
Group D - The Teams
Germany
Australia
Serbia
Ghana

Germany have a strong squad this year. They will be the team to beat in this group as many will expect Germany to come up with a clean sweep of these teams.

Germany have a well balanced midfield, with the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Werder Bremen) and Piotr Trochowski (Hamburger SV) patrolling the middle.

Germany will have a strong forward line this year as Miroslav Klose (Bayrern Munich) and Lukas Podolski (1. F.C. Koln) should take the starting roles up front with Cacau (VFB Stuttgart) and Mario Gomez (Bayern Munich) coming off the bench.

Australia have a decent team this tournament. Players such as Mark Bresciano (U.S. Palermo), Carl Valeri (U.S. Sassuolo), Tim Cahill (Everton F.C.) , and Harry Kewell (Galatasaray S.K.) have the ability to make an impact for Australia in this group and possibly challenging for that second spot to qualify for the Round of 16.

Serbia come in to this tournament looking to make an impact on the World stage. With a decently strong team consisting of Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea F.C.), Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Milos Krasic (CSKA Moscow) and Nikola Zigic (Birmingham City), there is no reason why Serbia cannot fight hard for the first or second position in Group D.

Ghana were one of the surprise teams at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, finishing second behind eventual champions Italy and 3 points ahead of a strong Czech Republic side. They will be looking to take that fine 2006 form and bring it to this 2010 tournament.

However, Ghana have had a major setback when star midfielder, Michael Essien, learned that he would not make a full recovery from injury until July 2010. Players like Stephan Appiah (Bologna), Sulley Muntari (Inter Milan), and Asamoah Gyan (Rennes) will have to take the reigns and lead Ghana to a successful tournament.

My prediction may surprise some as I feel that Serbia will advance to the Round of 16 rather than Ghana. I do not think Ghana will have a successful run as they did in 2006 and also, Serbia have way too much talent on their team to not advance. A draw with Germany is possible.

Germany - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Serbia - 2 Wins, 0 Losses, 1 Draw
Ghana - 1 Win, 2 Losses, 0 Draws
Australia - 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws

Germany and Serbia advance to the Round of 16.