And the Winner Will Be...

Weekends really are strange without football. Unless you were able to watch the Brazil game today there was nothing to see. And I’m not counting the Soccer Aid game tonight on ITV: good cause though it is, it’s not real football.

It’ll soon be time to pick a winner though as the World Cup officially kicks off at 4pm on Thursday. The leading contenders are;

Brazil - perennial favourites, and do seem to be recovering their swagger but they’ve only ever won once in Europe, sixty years ago. Neymar may not be fit enough to be the star player, but they do have strength in depth up front if he is missing. 

Germany - “never bet against the Germans” is an adage that usually stands you in good stead, but they have been in stuttering form recently although are showing some ominous signs of improvement at the right time as they often do. 

Spain - the romantics choice and who wouldn’t love to see Iniesta hoist that trophy before his retirement? Will his legs last though? And do they have enough firepower up front? 

France - hard to describe a team so short in the betting as a dark horse, but few seem to be tipping them, perhaps due to doubts over Deschamps’ ability to pick the right team from so many candidates. But on the other hand the quality of the side that could be made up from the absentees points to their strengths. 

Belgium - their best players at their peak, this is their big (maybe last) chance. Worries remain about their ability to prevent more goals than they can score. 

Argentina - Messi would be another popular winner, but his country has never really worked out the best way to utilise him the way his club has. The supporting cast is not the best either so it would be asking a lot. 

So where to put your mortgage? Well, nowhere, but I’ll be having a small wager on France. And Ronaldo to be top scorer on the basis that he could score hat-tricks against both Morocco and Iran which could be enough.