World Cup Group A

Teams: Germany, Poland, Costa Rica, Ecuador.

Strength of the group: The host nation have never failed to qualify for the second round stage and I don't expect the trend to be bucked this time round either as Germany have been handed an easy passage to the knock out stages.

City link: Paulo Wanchope has faded out of the public eye over the past couple of years but has been rumoured to fancy a move back to the Premiership.

Keep an eye on: German wunderkid Lukas Podolski. Still only 21, he has scored seven goals in his first thirteen internationals.

Expect: Oliver Kahn to end his acceptance of his demotion behind Jens Lehmann in a crazed outburst to a delighted media.

Don't expect: Too many goals as this will be a particularly dour group with not too many goals.

Who will go through: Germany as group winners with Poland in second place.