Fifa World Cup 2014: Is football coming home?

Every four years the whole world gets excited and united for the Football World Cup. Every four years all English football fans get overly excited and optimistic about their chances. They say their is a sense if calm in the camp, however the warm up matches have not shown this. After watching three games, England look the same as they have done since 1990, a team of individuals and not a group playing for each other and the manager.

Who will win the World Cup?
My overall prediction for the World Cup has changed a few times and even now with less than a week away I am undecided. If I had to choose I would go for Spain. They are the current champions and rightly so; the confederations cup last year was a lesson which I think they will overcome. The pressure is on Brazil for this World Cup and this I feel may lead to issues in the knock out stages.

How will England do?
Timing is vital, as is skill. Although England haven't been playing well yet it doesn't matter, if we can perform at the right occasions starting against Italy on the 14 June then anything can happen. Greece in 2004 is a great example, where victory can come in any shape or form. Some examples now would be the form of Sterling just before the World Cup and also the form of Rooney. This topic is brought up most frequently as in a few years time he will be England's leading goal scorer and even now is our best player (just in bad touch at the moment). However, a goal against Italy and things can change very quickly. Pressure and positivity have such contrasting affects on players that it can make or break them. With all this I think a quarter-final place for England would be success.

Surprise package?
I hope it will be Iran, but I doubt it. I think France may shock a few people and do quite well, also Chile too. Being in South America is a huge advantage for a few teams and the way they played against England and with Alexis Sanchez in a free role I think he will thrive. In a negative aspect, I feel that Holland may let people and themselves down in a tough group and that Ivory Coast will also struggle.