Group B
Normally Argentina would be the odds-on favourites to win this group easily, but their form has been iffy recently and Diego Maradona’s coaching seems a tad erratic.
Still, Messi can win games on his own. The second place could be a tight call between three well-matched teams, with Nigeria boasting a team hugely experienced at European level: South Korea is used to doing pretty well at World Cups: and Greece features impressive stability and organisation.
Argentina
FIFA ranking: 7
Head coach: Diego Maradona (since November 2008)
Big issue: Maradona – he is inexperienced and prone to iffy tactical and selection decisions (he used more than 70 different players in qualifying).
One to watch: Lionel Messi
We predict: Quarter-finals
Chances: 13/2
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Sat 12 Jun | 18:00 | Johannesburg |  Nigeria |
| Thu 17 Jun | 15:30 | Johannesburg |  South Korea |
| Tue 22 Jun | 22:30 | Durban |  Greece |
Greece
FIFA ranking: 13
Head coach: Otto Rehhagel (since 2001)
Big issue: Well-drilled and disciplined team built around solid defence and efficient counter-attack, but are the key members getting too old?
One to watch: Giorgos Karagounis (midfield, Panathinaikos)
We predict: Second round
Chances: 200/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Sat 12 Jun | 15:30 | Port Elizabeth | South Korea |
| Thu 17 Jun | 18:00 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | Nigeria |
| Tue 22 Jun | 22:30 | Durban |  Argentina |
Nigeria
FIFA ranking: 21
Head coach: Lars Lagerbäck (since February 2010)
Big issue: Will midfield anchor John Mikel Obi be sufficiently recovered from his knee injury? Can Kanu roll back the years? Can Obafemi Martins run?
One to watch: Vincent Enyeama (goal, Hapoel Tel Aviv)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 125/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Sat 12 Jun | 18:00 | Johannesburg | Argentina |
| Thu 17 Jun | 18:00 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | Greece |
| Tue 22 Jun | 22:30 | Polokwane | South Korea |
South Korea
FIFA ranking: 47
Head coach: Huh Jung-Moo (since December 2007 – also 1995, 1998-2000)
Big issue: Asia’s most successful ever team at world level is in good form, but Huh JM – on his third stint as manager – doesn’t have the acumen of Guus Hiddink who took South Korea to the 2002 coach quarterfinals.
One to watch: Lee Chung-Yong (forward, Bolton Wanderers)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 250/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Sat 12 Jun | 15:30 | Port Elizabeth | Greece |
| Thu 17 Jun | 15:30 | Johnnesburg | Argentina |
| Tue 22 Jun | 22:30 | Polokwane | Nigeria |
