I'm an England fan, Quarcoo. We will have to see if the best players, whom I have ever seen in England shirts, will get that essential rhythm and team harmony. If they do, they have a chance against anyone.
I share your distaste for penalties. The problem is, replays would present such huge organisational problems. In England, in the early seventies, some FA games went to several replays. You have to have something, which guarantees a result. Most of us reckon that even penalties are better than tossing a coin though.
On talent available, the Brazilians should walk it. That could be their downfall though. They do like walking and doing lots of fancy tricks with the ball. On a cold, wet pitch, against say, an in form Czech Republic, that could get them into trouble!
I think Australia could do a lot better than many people think. The USA could possibly reach the semi final again. Of the African sides, I fancy the Ivory Coast and Ghana to do well.
At the end of the day, I can't see anyone winning it without a lot of discipline and a large helping of good luck.