Group E - The Other Group Of Death

You wouldn't bet against Italy reaching the last four, unlike the Italian team themselves who probably would bet on it. Can the most technically adept league in Europe produce the World Cup finalists again? Well, the Italians believe in the power of the number 12: 1970, 1982, 1994 and you know what comes next. Buffon, Cannavaro, Nesta, Zambrotta, Totti and Toni could get into all the other World Cup squads and for at least four of that six this will be their last chance to win an international competition. Italy have the skill and cunning to win this group if they want to - at least that way they'll avoid Brazil.

The Czech Republic have three of the most skilful players in Europe in their side, Pavel Nedved, Tomas Rosicky and Zdenek Grygera and they use them to great effect playing a counter-attack game which should make their clash with Italy a snorefest. The crucial thing in this group will be goal difference as I expect both Italy and the Czech Republic to beat the two smaller nations.

Ghana don't have anybody with enough guile to win a game, Michael 'The Beast' Essien will keep going but unless he can score half a dozen goals he will be on a plane come the end of the Group matches. Ghana will be joined in the early departures lounge by the truly woeful USA