A review of some probables

1) Brasil

Well do i need to say something.

2) Argentina :

In my opinion they are the no. 2 team in this world cup. With riquelme and messi in form, de alasandro and ayala in support and a good tested defence at back argentina are in abetter shape than they were 4 years ago when they were the favourites. Only problem they can have is the fitness of messi without whome the squad may underachieve but i am quite sure the debacle of 2002 wont repeat and argentina must finish in the top 4.

3) England :

I reckon they will have problems in group stages ( may be loose to paraguay) but if rooney comes back by second match then the english have a good enough side to repeat 66 ( only if roony comes back) they may under achive given the lack of quality strikers , I wont consider Owen at this stage a quality striker as he needs to be very sharp to score, he is not a natural like rooney and tends to go on long droughts and just back from injury may not be on top of his game. Meanwhile if they can get Lampard and Gerrad in scoring positions and if becks could revive his Manu magic then english may be the one who can challenge the brasillians.

4) Portugal

Well may not be on the favourites list of many but still they are a very good side, and with figo and ruicosta(if he hasnt retiered yet) in their last major competition this is the last chance for them to fulfill the promise. The young crop with deco and ronaldo looks hungry for success after heartbreaker in the EURO 04, but the biggest assets is not the players but the big Phill they are one of the very few teams who defeated brasil after 2002 wc, overall a good team but they can very well repeat another 2002.