Today's World Cup predictions

Uruguay vs. Netherlands
At Cape Town, 2:30 p.m.
TV: CBC, TLN
Weather: 9C, partly cloudy
The Game: The outlook in Cape Town is a slight chance of rain and a 100 per cent chance of heavy, heavy tactics. Between them, these two teams have allowed only five goals in 10 games. With Luis Suarez on the bench serving a one-match ban, Uruguay is expected to pack the midfield and trust to its potent counter-attack. That midfield battleground will be the game’s key. If Holland can unleash Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder, it will win. If those two men are negated by Uruguay, expect Diego Forlan to pop up at some point with a winner.
Predictions: Cathal Kelly: Uruguay 0, Netherlands 2
Chris Young: Uruguay 1, Netherlands 2

World Cup on song: Uruguay

So here we go, one a day for each of this final four. Today, Uruguay - Gloriosa Celeste:

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 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

Predictions: Opening day matches

We'll be posting these in the blog day before games, and if you want to tell us we're nuts - in polite language, please - the comments will be open. We start off with a pair of upset calls.

South Africa vs Mexico, 10 a.m. ET

It's impossible to simulate the sound of 88,000 home supporters blowing on vuvuzelas, and that may well be the impossible task for a Mexico side that on paper appears the better one. Mexico boasts some pacey, talented players like young Javier Hernandez, headed to Manchester United after this tournament, but they face a healthy, in-form Bafana Bafana team riding a serious wave of support playing an up-tempo game of their own. Tournament openers can be dreary, but this has all the makings of a real cracker.

Prediction: South Africa 3, Mexico 2
-- C.Y.

Uruguay vs. France, 2:30 p.m. ET

Yes, there's another game tomorrow. By the world rankings, France are the class of Group A. Shows how little the world rankings are worth. Since reaching the final of this tournament in Germany, France has stumbled repeatedly. Uruguay - fielding a tough, inexperienced side with a pair of class strikers in Diego Forlan and Luis Suarez - helped torch France's World Cup hopes eight years ago in Korea. They look ripe to do it again.
Prediction: Uruguay 1, France 0
-- C.K.