[TillE]

You mean out of the group stage? That wouldn't be too much of a surprise; oddschecker.com has England and Uruguay about equally likely to qualify, with Italy a bit ahead. And if Luis Suarez isn't fully fit, England have every chance.

[lportion]

We shouldn't forget about Costa Rica too. They finished above Mexico in qualifying, they have a decent team and they will probably have a slight climate advantage in the games at Forteleza and Belo Horizonte (vs. England).

I wish I could also share the optimism about England. If we do get out of the group stages we may have to play Brazil or Spain in the quarter finals.

[GFischer]

I'm Uruguayan, and I think it will be very hard for us to get out of the group stage, and if Suarez isn't fully fit, it will be even harder.

We're fielding a slow team, with several veterans who are at a speed disadvantage (I wish Lugano would retire), and a midfield more suited for counterattacking than for ball dominance. Our strikers, if fit, are the best duo in the tournament though :) .

I think Costa Rica will be the kingmaker, whomever falters against Costa Rica is out.

[joosters]

Current odds for England reaching the final are about 14/1, i.e. about 6.7%. So it would be a surprise!

Odds to reach the quarter finals are roughly 7/4 or about 36%.