I'm hoping for (and expecting) England to WIN - as long as Wayne Rooney plays.
If he doesn't, we may not, though Gerrard is superb and Beckham's free kicks are to be relished.
I'll also be rooting for Tunisia (I love both Tunisia and Morocco and went to the first game of the 98 World Cup as a guest of Tunisia when they played England in Marseilles).
I have a very soft spot for France (I was in Nice when they won in 98; the town went crazy) as Zinedine Zidane is probably my favourite footballer (I'm longing to see the film).

So let's have your picks then and see who's right!

I am going for England, and the main reason for this, is not patriotic, but purely because of the re-grouping caused by injury to Rooney. There is so much football played today, and the World Cup creates an even longer season, when the players are often resting.
We have fresher legs in the team than we could normally have expected.
It is interesting that Sven, has virtually revealed his team, when in the past , during friendlies, he would have constantly changed the line up around, much to the annoyance of the public.
A good outside bet is allways Sweden.
I am going to put a quid on England though, and I believe that other teams will have a real problem with Crouch`s height.

I agree that this is England's best chance I can ever remember, and if Rooney is fit for even some of the fixtures it will increase our chances no end. I haave to question the choice of such poor outfits as Hungary and Jamaica for prep games, Greece or Romania could have been a sterner test, but confidence is high nonetheless.

As for the rest, Brazil can never be discounted, as with Argentina. Germany a danger on home soil and we'd want to really avoid them 2nd round. I think Croatia will surprise a few people and the real shock could be Netherlands failing to get out of the group of death - Serbia ar being written off far too freely.

Lets hope for a great month of football!

germany to win and also knock england out on penalties on the way...

Every world cup we say that it is England's world cup. They haven't won it it 40 years and I can't see them winning it this year. Crouchie looks great against Jamaica, but he is not world cup and will be found out against top class players. The fact is that England have 4 strikers, two of them are not fit and one of them is a child, who has never played in the premiership.
I would love to see Holland win as they have never won it before, but if Henry eventually plays as well for France as he does for Arsenal, they could be the winners.

but they do have a very consistent track record - a win for them is much more likely than for England !

Also going to Germany are:
Rice Krispies, Coco-pops, Frosties: 24 boxes
Cornflakes: 40 boxes
1620 large Jaffa Cakes
20kgs pudding rice
200 muffins
576 Dairy Milk bars

Source: The Football Association

Jaffa Cakes and muffins for Rooney?

I wonder how they calculated 576 Dairy Milk bars???

Yes, but the problem is that Netherlands are in the toughest group of all with Argentina, Ivory Coast and Serbia - will be hard for them to qualify even with all of that talent.

Have they considered any food WITHOUT carb in it MM?
I worry so much about their five veg a day intake!
Rooney looks miserable on Sky news, I don`t think he`s going.

Never write off Holland - they have come through before against astonishing odds.

well I think they should follow the many delightful menu options presented on this board. And those boys from Brazil look set to do it again so I guess that's my boring prediction.

Organic butternut squash,(from Devon) marinated and baked in chilli flakes , wild garlic,(from my garden) and rosemary(next doors hedge!), served with warm feta cheese, ballouga lentils , oak leaf lettuce and on the vine tomatoes.
Obviously the problem of sending organic vegetables to a World cup event could cause a major health scare..
In a true Bush-like stance, we are seriously thinking about giving our careers up in "Four More Years"!, and going back to catering.
Not much carb last night,in fact none, in that menu, for our athletic team, but they would have felt bright and healthy in the morning.
The dog`s menu was not as good, one tin of Tesco chunks, and I am sad to say, one and half live frogs which she found jumping on the lawn.

Mind you, Martin's dog thinks it will be the French!

The dog has discovered bees!, and is feeling very sorry for herself.