Who will finish the tournament as top scorer?
Jordan Chamberlain:
Thomas Muller. Having predicted Argentina and Brazil to flop – I’ll have to go with Germany’s biggest goal threat as my top scorer as well!
Adam Davies:
Neymar. Despite the colossal expectations on his shoulders, the 22 year-old has continually played excellently on the big stage. His performances at last year’s Confederations Cup and in the World Cup so far indicate that he is mentally equipped to cope with the pressure of being avatar of a nation.
Steve Green:
I could see Thomas Muller landing that one.
Mark Brus:
This tournament looks made for Neymar, and I think he’ll do it purely because Brazil have the momentum required to reach the final, so he’ll have more games than the likes of James Rodriguez or Thomas Muller.
Andy Morris:
Whoever it is, I reckon they will need at least seven to win it outright.
Who’s going to win the World Cup, and why?
Jordan Chamberlain:
Germany. They proved against the Algerians that they can scrape through even when playing badly and completely under the cosh. It’s their time under Joachim Lowe to lift a major trophy. Argentina are a one man team, while the expectation and pressure on Brazil is imply too much to handle.
Adam Davies:
Argentina. I concede that they were terrible against Switzerland, and my logic is that they can only improve. The talent throughout their squad is impossible to ignore, with Messi leading from the front. As with Uruguay in 1950, Brazil’s South American rivals will claim the trophy at the Maracana – much to the hosts’ chagrin.
Steve Green:
The heart says Colombia, the head says the Netherlands. Both have been great, but I think the Dutch could edge as they’ve been to the final a few times before.
Mark Brus:
I expect it’ll be Brazil or Holland. The host nation maybe aren’t the most complete side, but they have the fans behind them and the magic of Neymar and will surely grow in confidence as they go on. I’d like to see Holland win their first World Cup and they arguably look the best side overall, but I’d probably bet on Brazil.
Andy Morris:
Germany are the best team, but I still can’t see there being a European winner. Argentina are the pick of the South American sides and their team is full of players who are used to coping with big-match pressure.