Official Group E Prediction thread

[knowwonnose]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

I don't put a lot of stock in pre-WC matches. Even some of the the best teams in the world lay goose eggs against poor teams.

Man, you and I are starting to think more and more alike. It's like preseason in any sport, you don't coach the team in such a way to win. You coach the team to prepare them for the next level. In similar situations, I've put a team on the field that I knew wouldn't create the best change for the win, but something that would exercise a particular part of my team.

[AreliusIV]

Looks like Italy and Czech Rep. votes are getting to where they should be...

[beaveman]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

Looks like Italy and Czech Rep. votes are getting to where they should be...

Yes, it is showing that we believe there are 3 equally matched teams vying for two spots, which is what everyone has been saying all along. Anything can happen!

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by beaveman

Yes, it is showing that we believe there are 3 equally matched teams vying for two spots, which is what everyone has been saying all along. Anything can happen!

Actually its showing that reasonable people will reconsider their votes when presented with a rational argument.

[dysko]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

I don't understand why US would beat both Czech Rep. and Italy and only tie Ghana?

I think you are underestimating Czechs and Italy. Have you looked at their lineups lately?

Originally Posted by rslfrontrowfan

Would this change if the US lays another egg tonight against Venezuela? If the US can't handle Morocco and Venezuela, forget about beating Italy and the Czechs.

[sarcasm]That's right... in soccer everyone knows that the team with the star studded line up always wins, because one bad play (ask Cherundolo) or odd bounce can't change the outcome of the game. [/sarcasm]

Like I said, my picks are based on just what my gut told me. I will admit some team USA bias, but I never said my picks were based on fabulous line ups or name players.

If a great line-up were the key to winning in soccer, England would do much better on the international stage than they do. Isn't that right Scholesy?

[RSLfrontrowfan]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

I don't put a lot of stock in pre-WC matches. Even some of the the best teams in the world lay goose eggs against poor teams.

Just playing devil's advocate.

[Aero]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

Actually its showing that reasonable people will reconsider their votes when presented with a rational argument.

People can't reconsider their votes. You're only allowed to vote once. The fact that the votes for Italy and the CR are gaining ground on the US can't be used to infer anything at all about the results of the argument.

[AreliusIV]

Originally Posted by dysko

[sarcasm]That's right... in soccer everyone knows that the team with the star studded line up always wins, because one bad play (ask Cherundolo) or odd bounce can't change the outcome of the game. [/sarcasm]

Like I said, my picks are based on just what my gut told me. I will admit some team USA bias, but I never said my picks were based on fabulous line ups or name players.

If a great line-up were the key to winning in soccer, England would do much better on the international stage than they do. Isn't that right Scholesy?

Speaking of England, we all know that they have extra incentive to win this year since its been exactly 40 years since they won it last. However, did you also realize that its been exactly 20 years since Argentina won it last? It would be poetic for both teams to win it.

According to Sven-Goran Eriksson, there are only “four or five” – who go to Germany with a realistic chance of bringing home the game’s greatest prize.

En-guh-land surely have their best chance to win it this year than they've had for a long time, with a solid back line, an incredible midfield with Stevie Gerrard, Lampard and Co. and a decent strike force.

I sure hope Roonaldo can get a couple of games in.

[Aerick]

Originally Posted by AreliusIV

I don't put a lot of stock in pre-WC matches. Even some of the the best teams in the world lay goose eggs against poor teams.

I would agree with this if the team loses, however, if they win, that's a good thing - especially for pre-WC games, at least the ones the US is playing.

These are all against teams who probably feel like they have something to prove by being left out of the WC. The US's strategy is probably such that they should play but not over the top like their opponents will be doing. Therefore, if they can win these games with that kind of strategy against teams who have something to prove, that's a good thing.

[AreliusIV]

Like I said, Ghana is one of the most underrated teams.