Graphic Portrayal Of My World Cup Prediction

The BBC has produced a neat and very arty predictor tool. This is how my prediction looks.

The World Cup Ball.

What's all the fuss about? It's spherical. It's decently designed. And it probably smells nice. Just because it moves in the air as unpredictably as a dog's fart, doesn't make it a bad ball. And at least it doesn't have laces.

The Pointlessness Of My Predictions - Holland To Win The World Cup

Well, I was going to announce that my tip to win the World Cup was Holland. Not the best Dutch side to ever grace the tournament, but I think their time has come. They have historic links with South Africa and the Boer settlers. They qualified with ease and have an easy-looking group.

Then Robben goes and pulls a hamstring, and suddenly that's a major player of theirs potentially out. That said, I'm going to stick with my prediction. Holland to beat Italy 3-1 in the final. But I won't be putting much money on it.

Dropping Like Files

I dropped a pile of files once and it was hard work picking them back up. There's a few players who are going need a pick-me-up after falling down injured in the week before the start of the World Cup. Ferdinand. Drogba. Mikkel. Now Robben. Ballack went a couple of weeks ago. Beckham and Owen before that. All players that would have improved the quality of football at the World Cup. File all those names under 'Rich But Unlucky'.

World Cup Telly Programmes

They've started big time. The World Cup's Greatest Goals. Worst Moments. Top 50 Linesmen. Worst Misses. Best Anthems. Silliest Haircuts. Fattiest Left-Backs. And any more you can think of. they'll be on over the next month. Enjoy.

This Time Next Week...

We'll know the result of the opening game. That's how close we are to kick-off.

Cheer Rio

Bit of Bad News No.1 for England. Captain and centre back Rio Ferdinand looks to be out of the tournament after injuring his knee in a training ground tackle with Emile Heskey. More ammunition for the Heskey Haters? Or Divine Intervention for Dawson? Either way, the captain's armband looks to be heading Gerrard's way.

Getting Shirty

Not getting a shirt numbered between 1 and 11 isn't cause for any player to throw his shinpads out of the coach window. I doubt any team in this World Cup will start any game with players numbered one to eleven. Nevertheless, here's how the England team numbers up:
1. David James
2. Glen Johnson
3. Ashley Cole
4. Steven Gerrard
5. Rio Ferdinand
6. John Terry
7. Aaron Lennon
8. Frank Lampard
9. Peter Crouch
10. Wayne Rooney
11. Joe Cole
12. Robert Green
13. Stephen Warnock
14. Gareth Barry
15. Matthew Upson
16. James Milner
17. Shaun Wright-Phillips
18. Jamie Carragher
19. Jermain Defoe
20. Ledley King
21. Emile Heskey
22. Michael Carrick
23. Joe Hart

Comparing squads

I selected my 23 back in April. 17 of them will be on the plane.

I think we're a few players light to have a genuine chance of the trophy. We don't have a nailed on No.1 whom we can rely on between the sticks. We can't afford Ashley Cole to get injured. Lampard is having a penalty-taking crisis right at the wrong time. And Rooney and Defoe are far from on top form.

I'm not going to do any Heskey bashing as I reckon he gives us something up front that no other striker does. And yes, that's probably a defender. But seriously, he provides his fair share of assists.

Wouldn't be surprised if Capello starts with just Rooney up front though...

Panini Sticker Album - Finished

It's done. Possibly the first sticker album I've ever completed. It was fun at first, but it was much more fun when younger. Back then, securing every 50p (or however much it was) to buy a packet was hard work and involved raiding the piggy bank, doing errands, grovelling, or getting a finger trapped in a door and crying until some kind of 'pick-me-up' was proferred.

Now that I'm earning, I could have theoretically waltzed into WH of the Smith and bought a wad of packs and completed the album that way.

Anyway, Walcott's in the England team in the album. And Beckham. As well as Owen I think. I'd be happier if the final two really were on the plane heading south right now. Walcott's time will come.

Yaaayyy. What A Day.

Without doubt the biggest football story of the day is the seeming survival of Crystal Palace. Seems like the bankers saw sense. Well done to the fans who marched from London Bridge to the bank's HQ to make their feelings known. Now I can enjoy the World Cup safe in the knowledge that I'll have a domestic team to support next season. Oh, and here's the England squad.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham).

Defenders: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City).

Forwards: Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).