TODAY’S GAMES <i> (All Times Pacific)</i>

Germany vs. Brazil

* Site--Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Md.

* Time--10:30 a.m. * TV--ESPN2.

* Update--The possibility of this Group B finale ending in a tie cannot be dismissed. That would assure both teams of advancing to the quarterfinals. However, Germany would prefer not to finish second behind Brazil because it almost certainly would have to play the U.S. next. A German victory would mean a U.S.-Brazil quarterfinal, something the Americans do not relish. It will come down to Brazilian offense against German defense, and with Sissi and Pretinha in hot form, go with the attacking team.

* Prediction--Brazil by one goal.

Nigeria vs. Denmark

* Site--Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Md.

* Time--1 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.

* Update--Nigeria, beaten, 7-1, by the U.S. on Thursday, needs only a tie to secure second place in the group, assuming a U.S. victory over North Korea later in the day. Denmark has lost both of its games, but can salvage second place by beating the African champions by enough goals and also relying on a U.S. victory. The Danes have disappointed, but their resolve to make the Olympic field combined with the Nigerians’ porous defense could make it interesting.

* Prediction--Denmark by one goal.

Mexico vs Italy

* Site--Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.

* Time--1:30 p.m. * TV--ESPN2. (tape-delayed at 9:30 p.m.)

* Update--For Italy to reach the quarterfinals, it needs to beat Mexico by as many goals as possible and hope that Brazil thrashes Germany. Since that game already will be over by the time this one begins, the Italian display could either be awesome or as dull as it was in the loss to Brazil on Thursday. Mexico will finish last in the 16-team World Cup field unless it somehow conjures up a win, and that is most unlikely.

* Prediction--Italy by three goals.

United States vs. North Korea

* Site--Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro, Mass.

* Time--4 p.m. * TV--ESPN2.

* Update--A repeat of Thursday’s six-goal first half against Nigeria is not going to happen, but the Americans are at their best at the moment and would like to join Norway and China in remaining unbeaten and untied going into the final eight. A combination of experience, tactical awareness and technical superiority, plus another 50,000-plus crowd supporting it, should assure the U.S. of a relatively easy afternoon. North Korea just does not have the guns to score an upset. Does it?

* Prediction--United States by three goals.