Here we go...

The world Cup 2006 is just around the corner and I - like any other football fan - can hardly wait for it to start. To begin with, Brazil - as usual- have a good chance of winning again, but they will have to think seriously about Argentina, France, Italy and England. Germany, Holland and Spain are good teams but it looks like the Germans are just not there yet and the Dutch and the Spaniards always falter at the big stage.

Brazil: Brazil is always a contender so might as well not talk about them. But any team with the likes or Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Adriano and Kaka will send shivers down the spine for the opponents. But their major worry would be their defence which is not getting any younger. So they know that they have to outscore their opponents and with their fire power, they can do it rather effortlessly.
Captain: Cafu
Man to watch: Ronaldinho
Key: Kaka
Rank: 1
Odds: 9/4 Favourites

Argentina: Argentina, like Brazil, are eternal favourites but have failed to stamp their authority over the world of football as the team with Maradona did. This year's world cup has seen drastic changes in the team with a mix of young blood brought in - at the expense of a few senior members. A notable omission was Inter star Zanetti, who was left out of the squad for Germany. Argentina's game will come from the midfield and if Messi gets a run in, then they do have a good shout.
Captain: Juan Pablo Sorin
Man to watch: Lionel Messi
Key: Juan Roman Riquelme
Rank: 9
Odds: 8/1

Italy: The Mighty Italians - as I would like to call them - have failed in their bid to become the champions of the world by losing out to penalties in 1990, 1994 and 1998 and would like to keep away from it now. After the shock defeat to South Korea in the last world cup, they have re-vamped their squad and look set for another major tournament. Overall the balance is good and with the emergence of Toni, the have a natural goalscorer to put them ahead. If they get the right combination with their stars, then are a serious threat to all the others.
Captain: Fabio Cannavaro
Man to watch: Luca Toni
Key: Andrea Pirlo
Rank: 13
Odds: 8/1

France: The 1998 champions had a disastrous
title defence in 2002, crashing out of the tournament in the first round and to add to it, failed to even score a goal. They would certainly like to eclipse that failure by winning it again this year and Henry could be the man to drive them forward. With the return of Zidane, Makelele and Thuram, France have world cup winners and an even mix to motivate and guide their young players to the final crown.
Captain: Zinedine Zidane
Man to Watch: Thierry Henry
Key: Zinedine Zidane
Rank: 8
Odds: 12/1

England: If England want to win the world cup,
they have to do it this year or wait for a long long time. This is probably the best squad since the 1966 win and they would be hoping to match their predecessors. With Rooney injured and Owen still recovering, looks like England will need their ammunition from the midfield and in Lampard and Gerrard, they have it in plenty. If they can find their rhythm and stability in midfield, they can surely go all the way.
Captain: David Beckham
Man to Watch: Joe Cole
Key: Frank Lampard
Rank: 10
Odds: 7/1

Germany: I would say, if Ballack is injured, German hopes will be extinguished. German football has not really come back to it's level since the lat win in the world cup even they were runners up last year. With Klinsmann at the helm, things could change, but will he be able to bring back the glory days for Germany? With a host of inexperienced players in the squad, Ballack holds the key.
Captain: Michael Ballack
Man to watch: Michael Ballack
Key: Michael Ballack
Rank: 19
Odds: 8/1

Holland: The Dutch have never really been able to pull it off at the big show and have always - always - failed to make a big impression in the world cup. But with the array of stars, is it a case of 'too many cooks spoil the broth'? This years team has been given a younger look and feel - though slightly inexperienced - and will be rearing to have a go at the others.
Captain: Edwin van der Sar
Man to watch: Ruud van Nistelrooy
Key: Arjen Robben
Rank: 3
Odds: 12/1

Spain: Spain along with the Dutch are perennial under-achievers when it comes to cup Tournaments. With the amount of talent that they have, the Spaniards should be in the final four, but somehow seem to slip away unnoticed.

Captain: Raul
Man to watch: Fernando Torres
Key: Raul
Rank: 5
Odds: 12/1

More to follow...
Odds Supplied by William Hill.