WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS FRIDAY 25 JULY

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Portugal 1-1 Brazil

Brazil will want to top Group G and even though they will probably rest some players, there won't be any slip-ups here. A draw will satisfy both teams' requirements, and therefore it's a logical outcome.

North Korea 2-2 Ivory Coast

I always expected the North Koreans to get a point somewhere, and this is their last chance. Apparently their footware was the problem against Portugal, which is a shame because their spirited display against Brazil should be an abiding memory of this World Cup. An entertaining draw to end with here.

Chile 1-1 Spain

Spain are going to have a hell of a scare today but my gut tells me they will sneak through. The other result will go their way and get them off the hook. Group H on this last day has 'squeaky bum time' written all over it.

Switzerland 0-1 Honduras

The Central American outfit are too good to exit this tournament with nothing and will win here, causing the Swiss much anguish at a failed opportunity when they see the result in the other game.

BIG NAMES FLATTER TO DECIEVE AS FIRST ROUND OF FIXTURES DRAWS TO A CLOSE

So with just twenty minutes or so left until South Africa play their second game of the tournament we have little time left to reflect on the opening round of fixtures, although maybe we shouldn't look back for too long.

It's not much to look at after all, most of the talk has been about the lack of action and excitement. With just two games containing more than two goals and Germany the only team to bag more than a brace, the competition has been somewhat bereft of world class football.

Some blame the ball, some blame the altitude, most blame the Vuvuzelas. But as far as I can see it's been a case of the big boys not playing well and the underdogs giving all they've got. The biggest surprise undoubtedly came in the final match of the first round of fixtures as Gelson Fernandes converted the ugliest goal in World Cup history to help his Swiss friends secure a shock victory over bookies favourites Spain.

Previously France, England, Portugal and Italy had all failed to win their opening games while Brazil and Argentina had looked unimpressive in victory. It was the unfancied Germans who stole the show with their four-nil demolition of Australia.

However the series of results has provided one of the most open World Cups in recent history with nobody written off as possible qualifiers for the last sixteen. In fact underdogs such as South Korea, Slovenia and Japan could secure qualification for the knockout stages with victory in their second games. While lowly New Zealand and North Korea put up spirited performances against Slovakia and Brazil respectively to prove there are no easy games at the World Cup.

Perhaps there's one thing that we always fail to remember about football; It's totally unpredictable. But we'll never stop trying to predict it.

WORLD CUP-LATEST PREDICTIONS WEDNESDAY 16 JUNE

WORLD CUP PREDICTIONS FOR TODAY'S GAMES:

Honduras 2-2 Chile

We've had a glut of drawers and I see another one here. Honduras will be a tougher proposition than many suppose.

Spain 3-0 Switzerland

I can't see the Swiss containing Spain at all. An early goal will set the World Cup favourites on course for a routine win.

South Africa 0-0 Uruguay

Both teams will keep their hopes alive with a point in what is going to prove a very tight group.