2014 World Cup Odds: Group G Picks and Predictions – Germany the Favorite: When the pairings were released for the 2014 World Cup, Group G was immediately pegged with the “Group of Death” moniker. Germany, Portugal and the United States are all in the group, and all three teams are ranked in the top 15 in the World Rankings. In fact, Germany and Portugal are both in ranked in the top four. The group also includes Ghana, and while the team is ranked 37th in the rankings, it also made it to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup. Plain and simple, the two teams that advance to the Round of 16 out of Group G are going to have to earn it.
Projected Winner: Germany
Led by Thomas Mueller and Phillip Lahm, Germany is blessed with probably the best midfield of any team at the World Cup, and the talented group leads a powerful, balanced offense. In fact, Germany notched an incredible 36 goals in 10 qualifying matches for the 2014 World Cup. The beauty in Germany’s attack really is its balance, and unlike several powerhouse teams, opponents can’t just key in on one player to shut down Germany. Equally as important, several key contributors are back and still in their prime from the group that went all the way to the semifinals in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Projected Runner-Up: Portugal
When you have the reigning World Player of the Year, Cristian Ronaldo, leading your offense like Portugal does, you always have a chance. Meanwhile, Portugal is more than just a one-man show. Midfielder Joao Moutinho is a great table-setter for Ronaldo and the other forwards, and thanks to an athletic, disciplined group of defenders, Portugal can afford to attack aggressively. There are some concerns about Ronaldo’s knee, but it seems to be soreness more than anything else. With balance on both sides of the field and an X-factor like Ronaldo, Portugal should be able to escape arguably the toughest group in Brazil.
Potential Sleeper: Ghana
After nearly making the semifinals at the 2010 World Cup, Ghana returns in 2014 with plenty of familiar faces. A deep, athletic midfield and a solid group of forwards make Ghana’s offensive attack a dangerous one. However, a majority of this team’s talent is located up front, leaving major question marks about the defense. In a group with the powerful offenses of Germany and Portugal, a suspect defense is not ideal. That being said, Ghana does have the firepower to take advantage if one of the frontrunners happens to have a sloppy performance.
Team to Avoid: United States
Coach Jurgen Klinsmann is the X-factor for a team that never seems to make any serious noise in the World Cup. He has assembled an overall solid roster, and while he certainly knows what it takes for a team to be a serious contender at the World Cup, it is questionable as to whether or not leaving Landon Donovan off the roster will be a bit of distraction. The team’s success rides largely on the play of forwards Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey, and in recent friendlies, neither has been very consistent. In a weaker group, the United States might have a chance to contend, but in Group G, this is just a middle-of-the-road team playing among great ones.
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