Predictions: First round of quarter-finals

Here's a look at the matchups for the first round of World Cup quarter-finals, which get underway Friday July 2.

Brazil vs. Netherlands, 10 a.m. ET, Port Elizabeth

Thus far, the most anticipated games here – Germany/England; Spain/Portugal – haven’t provided much pop. Two cagey and deeply accomplished world sides meet in what could easily be a final. Both sides have looked purposeful, rather than free-flowing, and they’ve reaped the benefits of that. Let’s hope that result-oriented football hits a wall today. What this one needs is a goal in the first 15 minutes to open things up. If that happens, we’re looking at a classic.

C.K.: Netherlands 3, Brazil 2 (after extra time)
C.Y.: Brazil 1, Netherlands 0

Ghana vs. Uruguay, 2:30 p.m. ET, Johannesburg – Ellis Park

Africa’s team vs. South America’s new outsider crush. While many big names came here to stand around and not be counted, these two relative minnows arrived bursting with energy. Uruguay feature the tournament’s best strike pairing – Diego Forland and Luis Suarez. Ghana count on an all-action midfield to control the attack. Provided neither side seizes up under the pressure, there’s little to separate them. But Ghana now have a whole continent – and Nelson Mandela – willing them forward. That’s a formidable obstacle.

C.K.: Ghana 2, Uruguay 0
C.Y.: Ghana 1, Uruguay 1 (Ghana win on penalties)

Predictions: Day 18

Netherlands vs Slovakia, 10 a.m. ET

How 'bout these Dutch? For a change, they appear under control, winning all three of their matches and looking like they barely put their foot on the accelerator. Slovakia woke up in their last, putting Italy to the sword then refusing to talk to their travelling media, which had ripped them for two uninspiring performances. They'll be missing key midfield stopper Zdeno Strba due to suspension, while Holland is likely to give Arjen Robben, who Strba would be all over, a full run. Got to go with the Dutch on a full tank here.

Prediction: Netherlands 3, Slovakia 1

Brazil vs Chile, 2:30 p.m. ET

This could really kick off. In qualifiers, Brazil won the South American group by one measly point over Chile, but dominated their series – a 3-0 win in Santiago that featured two red cards and a Luis Fabiano brace, and a 4-2 at home that included a Nilmar hat trick and two more ejections. For this one, Brazil gets three key players back and available – Kaka, Elano and Robinho – while Chile's hard-tackling trio of Gary Medel, Waldo Ponce and Marco Estrada are out suspended. History favours Brazil, and so does the oddsboard.

Prediction: Brazil 4, Chile 1

Guesses: Day 15

After yesterday's Italy result, I've renamed the predictions. I'll probably get rapped by the boss, and maybe we're back to "predictions" tomorrow. Someone's making a lot of money betting the other way on these, but hey - I always thought this World Cup in Africa was going to throw up some surprises. But Italy out? Spain on the ropes? Pinch me. 

Portugal (1-1-0 W-D-L) vs Brazil (2-0-0), 10 a.m. ET

Portugal's 7-0 thumping of Korea DPR puts them in charge of second spot on goal differential over Ivory Coast, if it should come to that. Matchup of former colony against parent country is intriguing but unlikely to shift the balance in Group G. For Brazil, Kaka is out after that harsh red card in last. Deco is doubtful to return to Portugal. Brazil has looked like a side shifting through its gears. This one could be good.
Guess: Portugal 1, Brazil 3

North Korea (0-0-2) vs Ivory Coast (0-1-1), 10 a.m. ET

With a nine-goal difference between them, only an unlikely combination of a win here by a ton and a Portugal loss by a ton will put Ivory Coast into the knockouts. Not going to happen. Ivory Coast have played it a touch too conservative so far and are promising to open it up here.
Guess: North Korea 1, Ivory Coast 3

Chile (2-0-0) vs Spain (1-0-1), 2:30 p.m. ET

Game of the night matches two crowd-pleasing sides, even if the Spanish have shown reluctance to turn all their possession advantage into goals. Chile needs a draw to win group and avoid likely Brazil next out, but they'll be missing two starters (Carlos Carmona, injured, and suspended Matias Fernandez). Spain must win to assure advance and possibly win group. David Villa gave a hint of their class with two goals last time out, but he also missed a penalty – not good. But Andres Iniesta should be fit and return to the midfield – that's good for Spain. Slim edge for Spain, but Chile certainly capable here.
Guess: Chile 1, Spain 2

Switzerland (1-0-1) vs Honduras (0-0-2), 2:30 p.m. ET

After that opener, a clutch 1-0 win over Spain, Swiss stubbed it against Chile. They trail Spain on goal differential by one, but this might get grim, Honduras without a goal to their credit but have slim hope of advancing, while Switzerland with just that one. Midfielder Valon Behrami sits out after his red-card in last. At least Eren Derdiyok, their fine young attacker, is worth watching.
Guess: Switzerland 1, Honduras 0

Predictions: Day 10

Slovakia (0-1-0 W-D-L) vs. Paraguay (0-1-0), 7:30 a.m. ET

Paraguay stymied Italy in a famous first game draw. A win here puts it in excellent position to top Group F and avoid Netherlands in the Round of 16. The Slovaks will be kicking themselves for giving up an injury-time equalizer to New Zealand. That letdown shows the inexperience of the European debutants, while Paraguay should continue South America’s excellent run here in Africa.

Prediction: Paraguay 2, Slovakia 1

Italy (0-1-0) vs. New Zealand (0-1-0), 10 a.m. ET

New Zealand was supposed to be the palate cleanser of this tournament, washing the first round out of the mouths of better teams before the real meal in the knockout rounds. But the club surprised in its first game, earning a draw with Slovakia. Italy has been busy tearing itself apart after a turgid first effort against Paraguay. With respect to the Kiwis, here’s the cure for what ails them.

Prediction: Italy 2, New Zealand 0

Brazil (1-0-0) vs. Ivory Coast (0-1-0), 2:30 p.m. ET

First glamour match from the Group of Death may feature Didier Drogba and his broken elbow from the beginning. Africa’s best hope looked sluggish in the opener against Portugal. The Brazilians, playing in frigid cold, managed expectations and the ball against a manly North Korean side. Look for the Brazilian class to show here against a team forced to move forward.

Prediction: Brazil 3, Ivory Coast 1

Predictions: Day 5

New Zealand vs Slovakia, 7:30 a.m. ET

Now here's a hot ticket over in Rustenburg, site of the mother of all traffic jams before Saturday's England-US. Pretty good chance the roads will be clearer for this. Kiwis simply don't have the depth of talent to match the likes of Marek Hamsik and Stanislav Sestak as Slovaks compete in their first World Cup finals as an independent nation.

Prediction: Slovakia 2, New Zealand 0

Ivory Coast vs Portugal, 10 a.m. ET

Is this Elephants team over the top? Is Cristiano Ronaldo ever going to score an international goal again? Will Didier Drogba risk it? Remember the days when Sven-Goran Eriksson was a big name? Tough call here. So we split it.

Prediction: Ivory Coast 1, Portugal 1

Brazil vs North Korea, 2:30 p.m. ET “Inexperienced and mysterious” is how FIFA describes North Korea. It's similar to the hype around a China side that eight years ago travelled to South Korea's Jeju island, 20,000 Chinese fans along to videotape themselves watching Ronaldo and the lads destroy them 4-0. That sounds about right, except for the part about 20,000 travelling fans.

Prediction: Brazil 4, North Korea 0

- C.Y.

Update: Drogba, Ferdinand out of World Cup

Every World Cup finals has some notable injury hits, but these two are massive: Team officials say Didier Drogba broke his arm this morning in the Ivory Coast's final tuner against Japan. Drogba took a high boot in the arm from a Japanese defender in a collision at midfield, and although nothing's official it surely doesn't look good (video below).

(UPDATE: From the Associated Press: Ivory Coast's Kolo Toure says teammate Didier Drogba will miss World Cup due to broken arm.

(SECOND UPDATE: Now Drogba confirms he's out. From AP: "The World Cup is finished." And from the looks of that video below, Tulio Tanaka has a lot to answer for.)

And in the England camp, fragile central defender Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of the finals. On a team whose defensive centre looked a little light in terms of reinforcements, this is a big blow. Michael Dawson, one of Fabio Capello's last cuts, is heading to Africa, according to the reports out of the England camp.

So, for this first Mundial in Africa, two of the most influential players from the home continent, both of them teammates at English champion Chelsea, will miss out: Michael Essien with Ghana, and now Drogba. Both teams were contenders for a good long run with them - now, Ghana will be all out to get out of a tough Group D, and as for Cote d'Ivoire, they were drawn into the designated Group of Death against Brazil, Portugal and outsiders North Korea. As for the tournament, two bright lights have dimmed and it's no understatement to say the entire affair has taken a hit.

The Ivory Coast remains the deepest team from Africa, but this is a similar situation to Ghana's - like Essien, Drogba is the beating heart of his team. He's going to be harder to replace than just another star player.

As for England, Ledley King and Matthew Upson move up the depth chart, Dawson flies in and thus it goes from a mild gulp to a really hard swallow. 

How does this change up the groups? You tell us. Comments are open, and here's some video, though not sure how long it'll stay up there:

Headlines: Brazil tunes up, and today's friendlies

The big shots are here. Check out the third goal (and that's Brazil in blue):

Today's friendlies:

Italy vs Mexico: First of two last-minute tuners in Europe for Italy, this one at Brussels. Mauro Camoranesi misses out injured (at Brussels). Mexico heads off to South Africa after this one, the end to a somewhat chaotic pre-World Cup camp. They certainly can’t complain about not having enough game action - this is their eighth friendly since May 7. But in two of those against quality opponents England and Holland they were outscored 5-2 combined and lost both. Italy certainly counts as another one of those - let's see if young Javier Hernandez can continue to hit the target.

Spain vs South Korea: The World Cup favourites continue to stretch out in Europe, with one more scheduled after this before they head to Africa. Fernando Torres will be rested, but Cesc Fabregas will get his first game action in two months. For Korea, a 1-0 loss to Belarus last out with a strong lineup took some of the shine off a fine preparatory phase, and they lost defender Kwak Tae-Hi. Playing their best XI here, all that good work could give way to some serious jitters and self-doubt just before the real games start.


Germany vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (GolTV, 2:30 p.m. eastern): Tough Mannschaft luck continued last out with Schalke defender Heiko Westermann the latest casualty in the Germany camp. All the chopping and changing has made for a nightmare for coach Jogi Low. Newly-minted captain Philipp Lahm will return at his usual left back post in Frankfurt and Brazilian-born forward Cacau will look to continue his strong form at the expense of Miroslav Klose, who hasn’t been able to turn around his miserable season and is running out of time to impress Low.

Today's friendlies

Getting down to it now, aren't they? Even Brazil are on the field. Today's menu (World Cup finals teams in bold):

Poland vs Serbia: For Serbia, Saturday's 1-0 loss to New Zealand was just a friendly, albeit with some extra juice in the form of a few drunken fans throwing flares and a Jim Beam bottle - Kiwi coach Ricki Herbert called it his team's all-time best result. Serbia has one more tuner after this one so there's no need to panic as they continue their Austrian camp. Look for midfield regulars Stankovic, Krasic and Jovanovic to get a good run after being rested in that first tuner.

Greece vs Paraguay: Paraguay came back with two late goals to draw with Ivory Coast on Sunday, showing how dangerous they can be on the attack and it looks like their Argentine-born Lucas Barrios has found a role with two goals in 110 minutes the last two friendlies. Greece wheeled out a nearly first-string midfield and forward line in drawing 2-2 with North Korea last week. This one in Switzerland is the final tuneup for both teams, and they’ll both want to show better defensively.

Honduras vs Azerbaijan. Honduras finish up with one more in Vienna after this, and expect midfield mainstays Wilson Palacios and former TFCer Amado Guevara to get some decent minutes.

Zimbabwe vs Brazil. Finally Brazil makes an appearance, at Harare, their first exhibition since beating Ireland in March and predictably, they've attracted quite a crowd. They’ll get one more after this, against Tanzania on Monday.

Thursday

Italy vs Mexico (at Brussels)
Spain vs South Korea (at Innsbruck)
Germany vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (at Frankfurt)

Morning headlines: Kicking the World Cup ball

We are getting close. The quadrennial moaning about the new adidas 'Jabulani' ball has started, right on schedule. First it was Hugo Lloris. Now Brazil, with Kaka in training, has barely arrived in South Africa and goalkeeper Julio Cesar is grousing, albeit with tongue in cheek. From the AP:

Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar is not happy with the ball that will be used during the World Cup, saying it looks like something from a "grocery store."
Cesar also called the Adidas ball "horrible" and "terrible".
The goalkeeper, who won the Champions League with Inter Milan last week, did not elaborate on his views of the lively ball.
Cesar said "they are always trying to make things difficult for the goalkeepers," and later joked that he has only himself to blame for choosing to play the position.

Today's factoid: At the mile-high altitude of Jo'burg's two stadiums, the ball will travel 5% faster than at sea level. That should really reassure Cesar's brethren between the sticks.

We'll be along in a bit with a look at this weekend's friendlies. Meantime, other items in the World Cup news include:

It was chaos today as remaining World Cup tickets were to go on sale in South Africa - and the computer system promptly broke down. Put that together with last night's glitches outside Soccer City stadium and it looks like there's still some work to do.

Lort! Denmark's phenom defender Simon Kjaer is on the limp. But he's still in the squad, as Morton Olsen keeps Kjaer in the final 23-man a day after he was stretchered off during Danes' 2-0 win over Senegal.

Key Greek defender Vassilis Torosidis has resumed training.

And Samuel Eto'o has two words for critics, including Roger Milla: "Shut up". That's the sanitized version, anyway.

Afternoon headlines: Essien out

The headlines:

If you had Ghana in your pool, um, you better re-draw or at least buy a backup ticket. Michael Essien is officially out of South Africa 2010. (That's two talismans fallen by the wayside in the last week, following on Michael Ballack with Germany.)

No surprises among Holland's final cuts, and don't they look like an appealing price? Then again, if you were on board for the noon chat, you already know that.

Brazil arrived today in Johannesburg. Not much for ceremony, this Dunga bunch.

Spain's Fernando Torres is back in training.