World Cup Predictions: Bet on the hosts, but don't underestimate France, says Andy O'Brien

Andy O'Brien World Cup



It’s prediction time! In the week leading up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, whitecapsfc.com will publish the predictions of one Whitecaps FC player or coach every day up until the first match on June 12. We've already heard from Jay DeMerit, Marco Carducci, Carl Robinson, Martyn Pert, and Kekuta Manneh. And today, the last word goes to Andy O'Brien
Don't forget that you too can make your World Cup predictions for a chance to win a trip to Germany to visit the adidas headquarters and take in a Bundesliga match, care of adidas. Make your predictions for the first game now at //www.whitecapsfc.com/worldpup.
WORLD CUP CHAMPION: BRAZIL

I watched them in the Confederations Cup recently and I thought that they were both physically and technically very gifted. And obviously, with it being in their home country as well with the euphoria and all that I think they’ll be the winners. I’m not a betting man, but if I was I’d actually put money down on Brazil winning it.

DARKHORSE PICK: FRANCE


I don’t know if they’d be classified as a darkhorse but I think they could do a good job. They’ve won recently 4-0 against Norway. They have a good strong tradition of doing well and they have a new breed of players. Obviously, I remember guys like Henry, Cisse and Trezeguet and people like that, but now they have guys like Giroud, Benzema, and a lot of good players.


TOP TEAM THAT GETS UPSET: GERMANY

I think they notoriously do very well, but we’ll wait and see. As for why, you asked for a surprise and it would be a big surprise if they go. I'm just being controversial. 


GOLDEN BOOT WINNER: KARIM BENZEMA 

He's been one of the top strikers in world football for a long time now. He's played at one of the biggest clubs in the world, he's had a very good season winning the Champions League so he's in good form.


We also asked O'Brien what he thought of Obi the puppy's prediction of Croatia over Brazil in Whitecaps FC's World Pup Predictor contest. Here's what he had to say: 

Not a chance. I'd like to think my knowledge is better than the puppy's on this ocasion. It's a novel idea. It was an octopus last time predicting the games. So we'll see how the puppy does. It's a good idea, but I think he's going to be wrong with that game. 

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<b><a href="http://www.worldpuppredictor.com/" target="_blank">Make your predictions</a> for a chance to win a trip to Germany</b>

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