Group E Analysis

Group E

Holland

I am anticipating a typical Dutch performance in this World Cup. Some moments of brilliance, some beautiful attacking play, but will ultimately be let down defensively when they cannot outscore their opponent. Going forward, they will cause most teams plenty of trouble, and we can only hope that Arjen Robben is fit to play some part. I have said it to a couple of people recently but I genuinely believe that if Robben was not so injury prone, he would be considered one of the top five players in the world. I will never forget a story on Marca during his time at Real Madrid explaining how he picked up an injury playing ‘keepy-uppy’ in training – just an example of his fragility.

Combine him with Van der Vaart, Van Persie, and Sneijder and they are a hugely talented frontline which will score plenty of goals. I am not sure Van Persie is the right guy to play as the lone striker, but he will do a job for them.

It will be defensively that they have issues, and that has been the case for a couple of years. They will beat average teams comfortable, occasionally outscore some bigger teams, but they are not good enough defensively to beat 3-4 top class teams consecutively in major competitions. They will raise everybody’s hopes as they coast through their group, but they will manage to throw it all away with one poor performance in the knockout stage. I’ll go for quarter-finals for the Dutch.

Prediction – Quarters



Japan

Solid but certainly not spectacular is how I would describe the Japanese. They have more flair than the other Asian sides, but at the same time, they are probably not quite as solid as some of the others like South Korea. They have some talented players in Nakamura who can produce some moments of magic which may just help them unlock some defences.

I do however think they will just fall short. Cameroon will be a tough opponent for them and that is another game I will stay clear from in terms of betting. Denmark have greater all-round quality in my view, and will edge them in the race for second in my mind. Group stage is as far as they will go for me, but they will not be a pushover for anybody.

Prediction – Group stage Only



Cameroon

On paper, they are the strongest Africa side alongside Ivory Coast for me, and they could be the only two to qualify from Africa. It is a tough task ahead for them in a tricky group, but they will fight with Denmark for second spot.

They have a strong starting eleven on paper, with a strong core to the team but slightly lacking down the wings. That may be a factor when they come up against well organised sides like Japan and Denmark, and one of the reasons why I just fancy Denmark to edge them out. They will rely heavily on their full-backs to get forward but they generally lack quality down the wings, and that will make it tough for them at times to break teams down.

If all their players are on top form, they could grab second, if not, then they could fail miserably. Carlos Kameni is one of their players who I have followed closely during his career in Spain at Espanyol. So many times I have watched him and questioned why he was not playing for a major club, and then he produces a monumental error. He will big amazing one match, but slip up in the next, and that is why I rate the more solid keepers like Tim Howard higher. That is the same for a number of their players – they will be superb one match, but shocking the next, and consistency is there issue.

I give the Danes the edge over them, but do not be shocked if they progress further than that. I must say though that I do not think the African sides will have too much of a ‘home’ advantage in this competition as is often considered as it shifts continent – weather is neutral if anything, and the pitches are good.

Prediction – Group stage Only



Denmark

I think the Danes are being slightly underrated in this group and in general and I think they can sneak the second spot. They have a bit of Japan (organisation) and a bit of Cameroon (flair) and combined I think they can edge the pair and take second place. They came top of a tough group ahead of the Swedes and Portugal, which shows what they can do.

They have a tough opening game against Holland, but I expect them to be unperturbed by any potential loss and bounce back. The squad is down to earth and they know they are competing with the other two for second place. They are a workmanlike squad, but possession some quality players such as youngster Christian Eriksen and Simon Kjaer. They are complemented by some experienced campaigners like Poulsen, Gronkjaer and Sorensen, and I like the general balance they have in the squad.

Going forward, Bendtner will surely play and I am far from being a fan of his. I can see him scoring a couple of cheeky goals among some shocking misses and being an important player for the team. I am not expecting fireworks from this team but a solid performance which should be enough to squeak them past Japan and Cameroon. It will not be easy and I feel as though the group is a tough one, but they can edge it for second even if that is as far as they go.

Prediction – Round 16