World Cup - Germany

You can almost pencil the Germans in for the semi-finals, if not the finals, of every tournament they play in. In the last 20 years they have appeared in three European Championship finals, winning one, and two World Cup finals, winning one. They have also appeared in a World Cup semi-final and two quarter-finals. That is a hell of a record.

Unfortunately, for Germany anyway, the 2010 squad is lacking the talent of previous iterations. Captain Michael Ballack is injured and will not participate in the competition. Joachim Low is one of the best managers at the World Cup, and his job is really spelled out for him. He has to take a mixture of veterans past their prime and youngsters not yet in their's through the "Group of Death" and into at least the quarter-finals.

Miroslav Klose has scored ten goals int he last two World Cups, but he has played little for Bayern Munich this season, and been in poor form when he has played. Mario Gomez has always shown a lot of promise, but has never really looked the part of a goal scoring threat at major tournaments. And Lukas Podolski has only scored three goals all season. It is unlikely that Low will be able to count on these players to score.

Thomas Muller burst onto the scene for Bayern Munich, playing a big part in their run to the Champions League final and scoring 19 goals in all competitions. But he is only 20 years old, and to rely on him this heavily is dangerous, as he may just not be mature enough to handle carrying his team through the World Cup yet.

That leaves one man. If Germany are to be a serious threat in this tournament, Bastian Schweinsteiger must show the form of his life. Luckily, he is coming off the best season of his career. Ballack's creative midfield responsibilities must fall to him.

Germany look as vulnerable as they have since Euro 2000, when they didn't advance out of the group stages. Serbia could win this group if things fall right for them. However, if Germany do get to the knockout stages, they will be organized, direct, and unlikely to lose in a penalty shootout. It would be a huge upset if they didn't get to the quarterfinals, and a mild surprise if they didn't get to the semi-finals.

World Cup - Australia

The Socceroos made the dubious move of switching federations after the last World Cup, so they could have an easier road to qualification courtesy of the Asian Federation's rather ridiculous four spots at the tournament. Given this sort of cherry-picking, I was quite happy to see Australia end up in what is probably the infamous "Group of Death," Group D.

The Aussies play a 4-2-3-1, and they do so in a very defensive manner. They won't be winning any beauty contests, but that was obvious from looking at the squad. The central defense features Lucas Neill and Craig Moore, two tough-guys whose best days are behind them. They can be beat with pace and will not be shrinking violets when it comes to making tackles, meaning potential penalties and free kicks in dangerous positions. The plan is to protect them with two holding midfielders, Vince Grella and Jason Culina. Grella is the destroyer, while Culina is a bit more cultured.

Tim Cahill is the most important player on this squad. If he doesn't score goals and wreak havoc on opposing defenses, it will be 3 and out for the Aussies. And he cannot just be good, he will have to be spectacular. Otherwise, the only nation that takes up an entire continent will be relying on a mediocre Brett Emerton and injury-probe Harry Kewell to carry them through.

Australia have a tough defense, but I can't see them getting out of this group. Ghana, Germany, and Serbia certainly have their problems, but they all have much more talent and depth than Australia.