Predictions?

Italy and Paraguay seem to be the early favorites. Will the Kiwis and Slovakia make some noise?

Italy
Paraguay
Slovakia
New Zealand


Although Italy and Paraguay could swap positions. In either case no excuse for those 2 not to go through.

NO, this is a ridiculously easy group.

I agree. In contrast to 2006, we (Italy) have an easier group. My prediction is that Italy, nonetheless, makes hard work of it and doesn't take full points. I would not even be shocked if Paraguay finished above us at this stage. It has not been unusual for Italy to perform poorly at the group stage and turn it up during the knock out rounds.

I would predict Italy and Paraguay through, but I would not be surprised if Slovakia finished above Paraguay. Sorry Kiwis.

Ridiculously easy group. Happy goal hunting Italy and Paraguay.

That opening Italy-Paraguay game is just screaming 0-0 tie.

You know, I might actually put a few down on New Zealand to do the Haka all over this group and get out alive. Figure it would pay handsomely were it to occur.

I expect Italy to take the group and Slovakia to finish second. Slovakia won their UEFA group in qualifiers. They have plenty of skill and quality attacking. Of course, I haven't seen Paraguay lately, so maybe they are better than they used to be.

1- Italy
2- Paraguay

Come on FIFA! Get real. Here we had a field of 32 teams that may have been the deepest group ever, and somehow you managed to draw this abortion of a group?????
Anybody who thinks that FIFA fixes WC draws just has to look at this group to realize that this is not intentional. Even if you tried you couldn't make a group this bad. Even group C is better than this.
Slovakia vs Paraguay is the only game that has any meaning here.
I pity Italy in the Rd of 16. They will be asleep at the wheel and lose badly.

Italy might play Holland in the R16, if either side finishes 1st and the other 2nd in their groups...

FIFA's ranking has them as:

Italy #4
Paraguay #30
Slovakia #34
New Zealand #77

The group's average FIFA ranking is 36.25!!!surely one of the lowest groups

Group C is better?

Slovakia>Slovenia
Paraguay>USA
NZ<Algeria

I'm leaning towards Italy and Paraguay now, but maybe Slovakia will qualify instead of Paraguay, who knows.

I know Slovakia comes before Slovenia in the dictionary, but I'm not comparing overall quality of teams. I'm just saying that at least there might be a hint of drama in C.
Italy and Paraguay could mail this one in. Groups like this are what happen when you put continental separation as your prime criteria instead of ranking your pots first by quality, and only then try to suit continental considerations.

That being said, I suppose Slovakia could have a surprise up its sleeve, but I doubt it.
Of course we could always end up with a ridiculously arrogant and overconfident Italy who finds them selves struggling to get out of this at the end, but I doubt it. I think they're too good for that. (hahahaha)

Slovakia also came before Slovenia in their qualifying group.

I don't see why you think there will be drama in group C anymore more than this group. You think Slovenia and Algeria could cause upsets anymore than Slovakia or NZ?

1 Paraguay
2 Slovakia

Gut feeling

Slovakia never beat Slovenia though.

Let's put it this way, the quality of Paraguay's strikers is a source of strength for a change. With their always disciplined defense they could surprise Italy in that first game. It wouldn't shock me if they finshed tops int he group, but I don't see how Italy don't advance.

also don't pay attention to the fifa's silly rankings, they mean jack. Paraguay dropped something like 15 spots the last 2 months as they mailed in games and broke in players with qualification assured. Not to mention Paraguay is god awful in all friendlies (Qatar? Really?)

overall I am thrilled with their draw.

Let me see...

Italy 0 - 0 Paraguay
NZ 0 - 2 Slovakia

Italy 4 - 0 NZ
Slovakia 0 - 0 Paraguay

Paraguay 1 - 0 NZ
Slovakia 0 - 1 Italy

Italy 7
Paraguay 5
Slovakia 4
NZ 0

ZZZZZ.....

this ain't the paraguay of old. their gonna score more than 1 goal in these three matches for sure.

........zzzzzz
zzzzzz...........................

Slovakia is a very tight defensive team, I predict them to defeat New Zealand, but after that hard to say much for sure. I doubt they will win against Paraguay or Italy, but would almost predict a scoreless draw for those matches. If Slovakia's striker hit the form they were on this time last year, they might make some noise.

Still my head says

1. Italy
2. Paraguay
3. Slovakia
4. New Zealand

I think 2nd place comes down to goal differential.

7 Italy
5 Paraguay
3 Slovakia
1 New Zealand

Pretty straightforward group. One of the few, IMO.
Italy 0:0 Paraguay
NZ 0:1 Slovakia

Italy 3:0 NZ
Slovakia 1:2 Paraguay

Paraguay 1:1 NZ
Slovakia 0:2 Italy