Predictions for June 26

Uruguay vs. Korea, 10 a.m. ET

Today’s games feature the end of the draw that’s wide open. Having bumped aside England and France, one of Uruguay, Korea, the U.S. and Ghana is going to make the semi-finals here. Uruguay may be the tournament’s most surprising side, having yet to concede a goal. Despite their drubbing by Argentina, the Koreans have shown their scrappiness. Expect the Asians to come forward hard, while the Uruguayans trust to counterattack. An early goal could make this a classic.
Prediction: Uruguay 3, Korea 2

USA vs. Ghana, 2:30 p.m. ET

Africa’s only representative in the knockout rounds has a terrible burden of expectation on them. Despite missing Michael Essien, the Ghanaians have been taking it to opponents. And they’ve been getting better. Like Korea, the U.S. have took a tough group despite a pair of terrible officiating calls, either one of which would have given them victory. Ghana have more skill across the park, but the U.S. appear to have fate on their side.
Prediction: USA 1, Ghana 1 (USA wins on penalty kicks)

Predictions: Day 12

France (0-1-1 W-D-L) vs South Africa (0-1-1), 10 a.m. ET

This French team, more midnight Folies Bergere show than vintage Les Bleus, has almost left town, a few days after Nicolas Anelka. And after their mutiny at training on Sunday, will they show up here? Both sides need goals, and a victory by either Mexico or Uruguay in their game, to keep their hopes alive. Bafana Bafana gets 'keeper Khune back. A moral victory? France look ripe for the picking.

Prediction: France 1, South Africa 3

Mexico (1-1-0) vs Uruguay (1-1-0), 10 a.m. ET

Uruguay's Diego Forlan has been one of the best players at this tournament so far. Mexico has been one of the more pleasing sides here, loaded with young talent, but forward Carlos Vela is likely to miss out with an injury. Uruguay gets promising young (21) midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro back. A draw puts them both through, with Uruguay holding the edge on goal differential. Sounds about right.

Prediction: Mexico 1, Uruguay 1

Greece (1-0-1) vs Argentina (2-0-0), 2:30 p.m. ET

Argentina is cruising, while Greece grabbed some life with a comeback win over South Korea. Don't expect a letup, with a win guaranteeing top spot in the group – it would be a “sin” to rest Lionel Messi, said coach Diego Maradona. Messi hasn't scored yet, but has been all over the place. That should end today. Greece will fight hard, but on form and at this stage this Argentina and especially Messi looks irresistible.

Prediction: Greece 1, Argentina 2

Nigeria (0-0-2) vs South Korea (1-0-1), 2:30 p.m. ET

Nigeria have been a big disappointment – even their fans' green and white painted chickens have been refused entry to the stadiums here - while South Korea's bright start was erased by a masterclass lesson from Argentina. Still, the Super Eagles are alive and can advance with a win, and an Argentine win. They'll miss suspended midfielder Sani Kaita, sent off in their last. Koreans are slight favourites on the odds board; this is a tough one to figure out but we'll go with a mild upset.

Prediction: Nigeria 1, South Korea 0

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.