Group A
Predictably, Germany got an easy draw being the hosts of the tournament though the Polish should not be underestimated as they have some talent in Kryznowek and Zuraski and they managed to push England all the way through qualifying. I don't expect Costa Rica or Ecuador to pose any sort of trouble to the other two teams and I can't see the match between them two pulling in many viewers. Germany and Poland to cruise this group though which order is down to how well Klinsmann can get his side to gel, with or without Ballack.
Group B
The group most of the country will be glued to for obvious reasons. For England I'm expecting a hard fought victory over Paraguay, a whooping for Trinidad & Tobago and either a draw or a loss to Sweden as they are to England what Leicester City are to Pompey. Sweden look the most likely to take second spot with the amount of talent they have though Paraguay could also sneak it. Expect thrashings for Shaka's team though with their spirit they might cause a shock to one of the teams in Group B, let's just hope it isn't England!
Group C
The only way this group could have possibly got any harder on paper is if you swapped Argentina for Brazil. Holland and Argentina have a wealth of talent at their disposal: Robben, Kuyt, Van Nistelrooy, Riquelme, Messi, Crespo, the list goes on... Serbia & Montenegro have a very mean defence as well as their own weapons in Stankovic, Kezman and Zigic and the Ivory Coast are touted as the strongest team in Africa and with Kolo Toure, Eboue, Zakora and Drogba in their team would you disagree? This group is extremely tough to call but I will stick my neck out and go for Holland and Serbia. This has nothing to do with any bets I may have put on these teams.... honest!
Group D
Probably the weakest group in the whole tournament. Portugal aren't the strongest side in Europe by any means, Mexico are only so highly seeded because they come from a low quality qualifying region though they do possess talent and I don't see Iran doing much although they should beat awful Angola who I tip to lose all three of their games. Portugal and Mexico to qualify at a canter though I wouldn't have a penny on either team getting much further.
Group E
A tough group to call with Italy, Czech Republic and the USA all fancying their chances to progress to the next round. I think the Czech Republic will go far in the tournament and could win it as they can beat anyone on their day. Italy also have a very strong squad it's just a matter of if they can play well as a team or not. I'm tipping the USA to cause an upset or two again though by beating the Italians and nicking second spot from them (Scotland almost managed to beat them for crying out loud, and they're awful!). Ghana might nick a point from someone but I think they'll be heading for the exit early on.
Group F
Brazil, with their squad of superstars should take maximum points from their games leaving Japan, Croatia and Australia to fight for second spot. Japan did well last time but when you have Hidoteshi Nakata saying your own team aren't good enough, that's good enough reason for me to write them off, especially away from home soil. I think the winners of the game between Croatia and Australia will take second spot and I'll tip Aloisi and his boys to do just that under Guus Hiddink who I believe to be one of the best, if not the best manager in the world.
Group G
Another weak group similar to Group D with a past-it France side, Switzerland, South Korea and newbies Togo making up the group. France have enough experience to win this feeble group and second place will probably go down to who is the best out of the solid Swiss or the flamboyant Koreans. Togo are likely to join Angola in the "nil pois" group.
Group H
Spain always flatter to decieve and only taking three strikers, two of which are highly over-rated in Torres and Raul may prove to be too big a risk for Spain to go all the way so I think they'll progress through the group but not much further. Joining them should be Ukraine as long as Andrei Shevchenko stays fit although they are far from a one man team and could be the shock side of the tournament much like South Korea were four years ago. Tunisia might nab a point here or there whilst Saudi Arabia are likely to get caned every game too.
Who I think will win
I think England have the best chance of winning the cup since 1966 with or without Rooney (though having him in the side will help). I think we'll probably get knocked out in the latter stages, probably in a penalty shootout or in some other freak or controversial fashion. Brazil have all that talent but there are key for them players who haven't been doing too well domestically and Brazil never do too well in Europe. My tip is Holland because they have a good mix of youth and experience so Marco Van Basten can blend that hunger and talent into a winning team.
Watch them go out in the group stages losing all three games now...