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High Fives From Magic Mike

Welcome to "High Fives" the personal column of our ace Director of Football "Magic Mike".

Magic Mike's football credentials are first class. Last season he handily beat the Beeb’s expert tipster “Lawro” who never got a look in after Magic took an early lead at the start of the 2008/09 season.

A good number of our players were rescued by Magic’s tips in our Five Lives scheme which automatically gives you his tips, up to five times during the season, should you forget to enter them yourself. Magic Mike's canny inside knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of players and teams, combined with a passion for getting it right, is what you need to make an impact in this game. It also means you're going to have to be at your best to outdo him.

The Management - Score Five

And now, once again, over to Magic Mike...

See what Mike had to say in the olden days - visit his 2008/09 season archives.

previous predictions -

FA Cup Final 2009/10.... Round 38.... Round 37.... Round 36.... Round 35

It All Becomes Clearer!

The final group games in Group A see Mexico take on Uruguay at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg. Mexico upset the French in the last game with an Old Trafford bound, Javier Hernandez strike, rounded off with a penalty converted by veteran, Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Uruguay similarly disposed of hosts South Africa with a Diego Forlan brace sealing the game before an Alvaro Pereira penalty completed the comprehensive victory. Both nations are now on the brink of qualification for the last 16 and a draw would suit both and see them both move forward.

Magic predicts: Mexico 0 - Uruguay 0

 

France vs. South Africa at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein. Morale will be low in both sides’ camps as both had disastrous second games, which leaves them on the brink of exit from the tournament. Both sides will be relying on a big win, at the same time hoping for a positive outcome in the game taking place in Rustenburg. It looks inevitable that South Africa will take an unwanted record of becoming the first home nation to fail to progress from the group stages at a World Cup Final’s event. 

Magic predicts: France 2 - South Africa 0

 

Nigeria vs. South Korea at Durban Stadium, Durban. Despite losing their opening 2 games in Group B, Nigeria can still qualify for the last 16, if they can beat the Koreans. Nigeria will be looking for Argentina to continue their sparkling form, and if as expected they defeat Greece by more than a 1 goal margin, a win would be enough to take Lars Lagerbeck’s side through.

South Korea suffered a heavy defeat in their second game against Argentina that could cost them dear. They now need to go all out for a win and hope that Greece fail to defeat Argentina. Huh Jung-Moo’s side will need to rally and show the form in beating Greece in the opening game to progress.

Magic predicts: Nigeria 1 - South Korea 0

 

Greece vs. Argentina at Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane.   Greece need a win over the in-form Argentinians. The 2 sides met in a World Cup group game in USA in 1994, a game that saw the Argentinians run out 4-0 winners. The Greeks have improved considerably since their World Cup debut and Otto Rehhagel’s side will be more tactically adept to deal with the potent Argentinian strike threat.

Argentina all but confirmed their place in the last 16 with a Gonzalo Higuain hat-trick that felled the South Koreans in their second group game. Diego Maradona’s side just need to avoid a heavy defeat to the Greeks to emerge as group winners.

Magic predicts: Greece 1 - Argentina 3

 

England vs. Slovenia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth. England  have disappointed their supporters so far at the World Cup and haven’t got out of second gear; the form they showed in qualifying for the finals still eludes Fabio Capello’s men. Despite the disappointment of 2 draws in their opening matches England could still progress to the last 16 as group winners if they can find win and find the goals against the current group leader Slovenia.

Slovenia let a 2-0 lead slip against the United States and had to settle for a draw. Matjaz Kek’s side will be kicking themselves as a win against the US would have meant Slovenia would have been through to the last 16 irrespective of the result against England. As it stand the Slovenian could still face a group stage exit should they lose to England.

Magic predicts: England 1 - Slovenia 0

 

USA vs. Algeria at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria. Both sides will be looking for a win that could see them through. The USA are in the slightly better position knowing that a win would guarantee them safe passage whereas Algeria can guarantee qualification if they can win by a 2 goal margin. The US grabbed a lifeline by clawing back a 2 goal deficit against the Slovenians and now face what should be arguably an easier test against the Algerians. Algeria though, have shown that they are a difficult team to break down.

Magic predicts: USA 0 - Algeria 1

 

Ghana vs. Germany at Soccer City Stadium, Johannesburg. The Ghanaians need a draw to guarantee a place in the last 16 after they were awarded a second penalty in successive games which was again cooly converted by Asamoah Gyan. They were unable to take advantage of the extra man as they were held to a draw. They face a German side smarting from their unexpected defeat to Serbia.

Luck wasn’t with the Germans against Serbia, conceding a goal and shortly afterwards being reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of Miroslav Klose. Jaochim Low will be looking for his side to bounce back and secure the win they need for the last 16.

Magic predicts: Ghana 0 - Germany 2

 

Australia vs. Serbia at Mbombela Stadium Nelspruit. A spirited performance from Australia against Ghana saw them hold out with 10 men after Harry Kewell was sent off for handball that led to a penalty that resulted in an equalizer for Ghana. The Australians were staring an early departure from South Africa in the face, but held on gallantly for a draw. They will be hoping that either Ghana can beat Germany, or that Germany can beat Ghana by at least a 4 goal margin; either result could see Australia in the last 16 if they can defeat the Serbs.

Serbia will be certain of a place in the last 16 if they draw beat the Australians following on from their shock victory over Germany. Radomir Antic’s side have put themselves back with a great chance of making the cut following a disappointing opening game defeat to Ghana.

Magic predicts: Australia 0 - Serbia 1

 

Denmark vs. Japan at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.A winner takes all game for a place in the last 16. The winner is likely to finish second in the group to the Netherlands. Japan have the better goal difference going into the game, so if the match is drawn then it will be the Japanese that progress. It will be interesting to see what game the Japanese adopt, but it could be a dangerous game to try to hold on against Morten Olsen ‘s side, who will go for broke to force a victory.

Magic predicts: Denmark 2 - Japan 0

 

Cameroon vs. Netherlands at Green Point Stadium, Cape Town. A meaningless game in Cape Town as Cameroon became the first side to exit the World Cup with a defeat to Denmark in the second round of matches. The Indomitable Lions have failed to roar at this World Cup in what looks like being a miserable World Cup for the African nations.

The Netherlands are already guaranteed a place in the last 16, and a win or draw would confirm they top the Group E table, irrespective of the result of the match in Rustenburg. The Dutch have not yet been extended in the tournament and will face sterner opposition in the next round.

Magic predicts: Cameroon 0 - Netherlands 2

World Champions Italy have disappointed so far in the tournament Marcello Lippi’s side won’t be too concerned as on their way to winning the trophy in Germany 4 years ago, they were also laregely uninspiring in the Group stages only to hit peak form from the quarter-final stages.

Magic predicts: Slovakia 1 - Italy 1  

 

Paraguay vs. New Zealand at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane. A draw would be enough to take Paraguay through to the last 16 of the World Cup if they can beat the “All Whites” who have defied all expectations in the World Cup so far. The Kiwis have taken 2 draws in their opening games and a win or even a draw against Paraguay could see them progress to the last 16. Coach Ricki Herbert has assembled a team of journeymen footballers and part-timers who have shown a fighting spirit to defy the odds. Paraguay will be looking for a win that would see them as Group F winners and what looks at this stage to be an easier draw than finishing second.

Magic predicts: Paraguay 2 - New Zealand 0

 

North Korea vs. Ivory Coast at Mbombela Stadium.Nelspruit. North Korea could not maintain the standards of their opening game as they were duly thrashed by Portugal 7-0 to exit the tournament. Sven Goran Erikkson’s Ivory Coast now face the daunting task of trying to better Portugal’s 7 goal victory margin and hope the Portuguese lose to Brazil by a heavy margin. It looks to be an impossible task for thr Ivorians, but with captain Didier Drogba leading the line they will give it their best shot.

Magic predicts: North Korea 1 - Ivory Coast 4     

 

Portugal vs. Brazil at Durban Stadium, Durban. Brazil have already qualified for the last 16 whilst Portugal need only a draw to confirm their place. A win for either side will mean they top the Group. Portugal started slowly against North Korea in their second game before meting out a thrashing, Neither side has to go all out for a win and can start planning for the round of 16.

Magic predicts: Portugal 0 - Brazil 2

 

Switzerland vs. Honduras at the Free State Stadium.Bloemfontein. Despite upsetting European Champions Spain in their opening group game, Switzerland still have it all to do if they are to qualify after losing a close game to Chile last time out. Switzerland need to win and win by a 3 goal margin to guarantee a place. Otto Hitzfeld’s side are a capable side but they will be keeping one eye on the events unfolding in the clash between Spain and group leaders, Chile.

Honduras can still qualify for the last 16, but would need Chile to defeat Spain and at the same time beat the Swiss by a big margin to improve their considerably weaker goal difference. The Hondurans have the worst goal difference of the teams in the Group H and results so far suggest they have a mountain to climb.

Magic predicts: Switzerland 2 - Honduras 0

 

Chile vs. Spain at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium.Pretoria. Marco Bielsa’s side have played some entertaining football in the World Cup so far, but still need a draw against Spain to win the Group after wins in their opening 2 matches. Mark Gonzales’s second half headed goal was enough to beat Switzerland in their last match. The Chileans are playing with confidence in what has been their most successful World Cup Finals since they staged the event 48 years ago.

Spain kept their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 as Vicente Del Bosque’s side beat Honduras with 2 goals from David Villa. Villa spurned the chance of a hat-trick as he missed a penalty, but Spain’s World Cup campaign is back on track after defeat in the opening game. Spain must, however, beat Chile by a 2 goal margin to confirm their place to guarantee a place in the last 16 but they will qualify if they can at least match the Swiss result in the game being played out in Bloemfontein.

Magic predicts: Chile 0 - Spain 1