Final Whistle

Today marked the end of the Premiership season, the end of Newcastle United's exile from the top flight, and the end of Manchester United's three year reign. As we transition into World Cup season by way of the Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Inter Milan on May 22nd, here are a couple of my final thoughts regarding this season.

* Chelsea loved this one. They clinched the title this year with an 8-0 drubbing over 10-man Wigan. That is about as emphatic a title-deciding victory as you can get. But they will have a lingering bitter aftertaste from once again failing in the Champions League. Rumors have them pursuing Fernando Torres of Liverpool in the off-season, but I don't think they really need him. Still, a strike force of Drogba, Anelka, Torres and Kalou would be intimidating.

* What a weird season for Burnley. Their first season in the top flight in many years ended with instant relegation, but they opened the season with big wins over Manchester United and Everton, and today they beat Tottenham 4-2, Tottenham having just clinched the final spot in next season's Champions League. Definitely gave their fans some value for money.

* A disappointing season for Liverpool ended with a whimper, a 0-0 draw with relegated Hull City. For so many seasons, Liverpool have seemed to be on the verge of overhauling Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, and they won the Champions League 5 years ago. But the last couple of years, they have slipped back a bit, and now they have big debts and reported a loss in their financial report on the season, and have fallen out of Champions League qualification, which aside from the loss of prestige carries with it a loss of revenue.

* Arsenal had some injury issues this year, but I think they need to spend over the summer, bring in some reinforcements to keep up with Chelsea and Manchester United to avoid risking the fate that befell Liverpool. Arsene Wenger had some temperamental moments at the end of the season that seemed to crack his image of the cool and dignified counterpart to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

With that, on to more World Cup picks!

DAY 10, JUNE 20TH, 2010

GROUP F

SLOVAKIA VERSUS PARAGUAY

Slovakia could well be underrated, considered something of an unknown team but with unquestionable talent. Paraguay, of course, has much more experience, but may be lacking in finishing options after the horrific shooting of the star striker Salvador Cabanas in Mexico City in January.

But assuming that my first game predictions were correct, Paraguay will be confident following a draw with Italy, and will pick up all three points in a 2-1 victory.

ITALY VERSUS NEW ZEALAND

After drawing with Paraguay in the opening match, Italy will be well aware of a firestorm of criticism in the Italian media, full of doomsayers calling for Lippi's head. Andrea Pirlo will play well, and Giuseppe Rossi will take another step into the limelight with two well-taken goals over sacrificial lamb New Zealand in a 2-0 Italian victory.

GROUP G

BRAZIL VERSUS IVORY COAST

This should be one of the most intriguing matches. Two strong teams in what many call the Group of Death. Ivory Coast will be looking to make some noise, and they have the talent to do so, with Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and Kolo Toure leading the line. But Dunga has produced a Brazilian team that combines the expected flair with solid organization. I could/would love to see Ivory Coast pull off the upset, but I think that I have to pick Brazil to win a high-scoring match, 3-2.

THIS IS BONUS DAY, WITH ANOTHER DAY'S WORTH OF PICKS IN ORDER TO ALIGN WITH THE STANDINGS.

DAY 11, JUNE 21ST, 2010

GROUP G

PORTUGAL VERSUS NORTH KOREA

I would love to see the upset here, but let's be serious. You don't really need me to make a prediction on this one. But I'm going to inflict a prediction on you anyway.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been in imperious form in La Liga lately; I've seen Real Madrid a couple times in the last month, and he is capable of such sublime moments that you can understand, kind of, why Real Madrid paid 80 million pounds for him. I see no reason why he couldn't be similarly dominant in the World Cup, and while he can sometimes get in trouble with a me-first attitude, North Korea won't be able to punish him for any such solipsisms, and it will require stout defense and organization on their part to keep it close. Portugal 3-0.

GROUP H

CHILE VERSUS SWITZERLAND

The battle for second place in the group. I think Chile will be just too strong for Switzerland, who lack the attacking flair to break down the South Americans. 2-1 to Chile.

SPAIN VERSUS HONDURAS

Honduras will be willing, but Spain's sheer dominance will tell the story. 3-1 to the Europeans.

STANDINGS

GROUP G


BRAZIL 2 WINS 0 LOSSES 0 DRAWS 6 POINTS

PORTUGAL 1 WIN 1 LOSS 0 DRAWS 3 POINTS

IVORY COAST 1 WIN 1 LOSS 0 DRAWS 3 POINTS

NORTH KOREA 0 WINS 2 LOSSES 0 DRAWS 0 POINTS


GROUP H

SPAIN 2 WINS 0 LOSSES 0 DRAWS 6 POINTS

CHILE 2 WINS 0 LOSSES 0 DRAWS 6 POINTS

HONDURAS 0 WINS 2 LOSSES 0 DRAWS 0 POINTS

SWITZERLAND 0 WINS 2 LOSSES 0 DRAWS 0 POINTS