Computer simulation equipment has predicted that Brazil will win the World Cup.

Researchers at the University of Ulster have used a computer to work out which team will win, based on FIFA world rankings and the distance teams had to travel to compete.

Another factor is the effect of switching between South Korea and Japan for games and rest periods.

According to the university the simulation was run 2,000 times and came up with the same result without exception.

The prediction is that Brazil will beat Italy in the final, and Argentina will take third place ahead of Spain.

As usual England and Ireland will finish runners-up in their qualifying groups, but will lose to France and Spain respectively during the first knock-out stage.