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For the final round table before the World Cup kicks off we asked our panelists to put their money where their mouths are and give us their predictions for the final, as well as the correct score.

We also asked a few more faces to join in and give us their predictions.

Here Bermuda Sun sportswriter James Whittaker, former Mid Ocean sports editor Chris Gibbons, ZBM TV sports personality Nick Jones, Former Bermuda coach Robert Calderon, Seahorses betting chief Lee Beauchamp and Bermuda Sun sports editor Don Burgess give us their picks.

JW: Argentina 3 Brazil 2. I'm going for an all South American affair.

Argentina and Brazil, as I said in an earlier debate, look head and shoulders above the rest.

The European challenge will most likely come from England, Germany or Italy but none of those three look capable of taking on the South American giants. Going for an Argentina win is probably wishful thinking on my part, but I'm a bit sick of Brazil.

With Tevez, Messi, Riquelme, Maschareno and Ayala, the Argentinians have the mixture of power, skill and creativity needed to win the tournament.

If anyone can stop Brazil, they can.

CG: There hasn't been a true all-South American final since the first one (the 1950 'final' between Uruguay and Brazil was the last game of a final group phase) so we're definitely due one.

I think it is likely to be Argentina and Brazil with Brazil's attacking flair giving them a 2-1 win in extra time.

I expect Italy, the Czechs and England to be potential semi-finalists, Ivory Coast and Australia to be the surprise packages, and Peter Crouch to be top scorer. And Wayne Rooney not to appear until the quarter-finals when he will either get stretchered off after Kolo Toure clobbers him or he'll be sent off.

NJ: Spain to beat the English in the final 2-0. I've got England versus France in the semis and Spain v Holland so I'm going for the European teams.

Spain have got a young enough squad to do it for once.

They were ripped off by a cruel decision last time and if they can leave Morientes at home they must have some squad.

RC: Still like Brazil but wavering on whether it's Argentina or Italy that they defeat 2-1 in the finals.

Every day there is another key player injured which changes the landscape significantly.

Italy have new injury worries over Nesta and Gatusso and if they don't fully recover Italy will crash and burn in the early rounds, to include possibly not getting out of the group stage.

LB: Europeans in Europe.Not since 1958 when Brazil triumphed in Sweden has a non-European team won the World Cup in Europe.

As Robert correctly pointed out, injuries will be the key. I believe that to win a World Cup you need a young, relatively injury free, attacking team that can score goals.

With all those points in mind and with the likelihood of Wayne Rooney playing a part in the knock-out stage, I will take an England vs. Italy final with England securing a 1-0 victory.

RC: Take Lee's point on Europe but you can't dismiss the fact that Brazil's starting 11 and most of their reserves live, play and get paid in Euros.

In short they have loads of experience living and playing in Europe, primarily against European opponents.

DB: The host country always receives a boost during the World Cup and over-achieves. This is why Germany will reach the final, but won't have enough talent to match Brazil.[[In-content Ad]]

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