World Cup 2014: Predicting The Final Outcome Of Group A

By Craig Pearson

World Cup 2014: Predicting The Final Outcome Of Group A

Brazil players celebrate scoring a goal — Group A of World Cup 2014 will see Brazil, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon all do battle to advance. Brazil are the clear favorites to win the group but there is talent in the three remaining teams too. Enough talent to cause an upset for first place? Possibly. Enough talent to provide fierce competition for the second qualifying place? Definitely.

4th Place: Cameroon

Cameroon Captain Samuel Eto'o

4th Place: Cameroon

Cameroon Captain Samuel Eto'o — The climate will suit Cameroon, but they lack the decisive quality of the other three teams in the group. Samuel Eto'o could turn the clock back and be a scoring machine once again, but that is unlikely.

3rd Place: Mexico

Javier Hernandez of Mexico and Manchester United

3rd Place: Mexico

Javier Hernandez of Mexico and Manchester United — Although Brazil are the favorites to top the group, splitting Mexico and Croatia is not so easy, and the latter two squad's showdown against each will probably prove to be the decider. Mexico do have a genuine threat in attack with Javier Hernandez and Giovanni Dos Santos, but the quality in the midfield of Croatia could prove to be the biggest problem for Mexico to overcome.

2nd Place: Croatia

Luka Modric of Croatia and Real Madrid

2nd Place: Croatia

Luka Modric of Croatia and Real Madrid — Croatia are not a standout team, but they do have a few standout players. Luka Modric is one of the better central midfielders in the world, Ivan Rakitic has excelled at Sevilla, Mateo Kovacic could be a breakout star in this tournament, and Mario Mandzukic supplies the goals as the main striker. These players will be enough to guide them through the group, although maybe not too much deeper after that.

1st Place: Brazil

Neymar celebrates a goal for Brazil

1st Place: Brazil

Neymar celebrates a goal for Brazil — Brazil have the most quality in the group, and they are playing at home too. The expectations for Brazil go beyond qualifying from the group stage, and the pressure will only truly be on in the stages that follow. Playing Croatia when their main striker Mario Mandzukic is suspended will be an obvious help, and a win in the opening group game should see the hosts go on to top the group rather comfortably in the end.

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