It’s prediction time! In the week leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, whitecapsfc.com will publish the predictions of one Whitecaps FC player or coach every day up until the first match on June 12. Today, Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson shares his thoughts.
Don't forget that you too can make your World Cup predictions for a chance to win a trip to Germany to visit the adidas headquarters and take in a Bundesliga match, care of adidas. Make your predictions for the first game now at //www.whitecapsfc.com/worldpup.
WORLD CUP CHAMPION: ARGENTINA
With the tournament being in Brazil, I think everyone will expect Brazil to win it and I think the pressure might get too much for them and they might stumble at maybe the second to last hurdle. As for Argentina, they have top players and they understand the way they want to play. They play the right way. I just think it’s their time.
DARKHORSE PICK: BELGIUM
I think they have a strong nucleus of a team that’s playing at the top level all over the world. They were very strong in qualifying and I like the different dynamics they have in their team. Provided they can cope with the conditions in South America, I think they’re a good darkhorse pick.
TOP TEAM THAT GETS UPSET: PORTUGAL
I would say England because I’m Welsh and that’s what I want. But I actually think England will make it out of the group and I hope the U.S. do but I have a feeling they might not. It’s a tough group. Maybe Portugal might not make it out of that group so I’ll go with them.
GOLDEN BOOT WINNER: ROBIN VAN PERSIE
I think there’s always a darkhorse that comes out of it. Obviously, I think everyone will talk about the Brazilians or the Argentineans. But I’m going to say van Persie because I think they’ll get close whether it’s the quarter-finals or the semifinals and I think he will step up a level and score seven goals. Teams like Argentina have other players that can score where Holland are probably relying on one or two people.
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