Group A

Germany : Hoping to become the first country to win the World Cup twice as hosts, Germany should win their group with plenty to spare. That's not to say they're good, it's just that the other three teams aren't. Michael Ballack is the star player in what is a fairly young side.










Prediction: Germany to win all three games and meet Sweden in Munich on June 24

Poland
Fourth highest goalscorers among the European qualifiers my knowledge of Poland is down to a few games on Eurosport - they do have Maciej Zurawski in their side who has been a revelation at Celtic. I can see Poland beating Costa Rica and Ecuador to qualify to play England in Stuttgart on June 25.

Costa Rica
An ex-West Ham player by the name of Paulo is the star of one of CONCACAF's third best team - this one is Wanchope not Di Canio. Having seen Paulo play for the Hammers and Derby he can be brilliant or rubbish, his long rubbery legs concealing a very skilful player. Looking at his opponents in this group I think he can score goals against all of them. Unfortunately his team will also conceed goals and Costa Rica will be eliminated at the Group Stage as they were in 2002.

Ecuador
They must have been disappointed to discover that Gelsenkirchen isn't 7,000 feet above sea level and its doubtful they will gain any points in this competition. Saw them beat Argentina at home, they did the same to Brazil but their record away from the Olimpico Atahualpa suggests they have trouble on the road.