Group F

Brazil and three others scrapping for second place is how this Group will pan out. Much will depend on the Australia v Japan match which kicks off the group a day before Brazil meet the fourth team in the group Croatia.

Australia making only their second appearance in the Finals have Guus Hiddink in charge, the man many England supporters hoped would get the gig instead of Steve McLaren. Hiddink wasn't impressed when he took charge, what he thought was the team fridge he later realised was Mark Viduka. If Kewell and Viduka produce anywhere near their Premiership form then the Socceroos will be coming home early, if however Schwarzer and Cahill produce their Premiership form then there could be an upset.

Croatia aren't the same side they were eight years ago and progress to the second stage is probably the best they can hope for this year, similarly Japan without home advantage will also struggle to make any impact.