Apologies, readers, for not doing the groups in order: I'm skipping past groups E, F and G until we hear more definite news about the injuries to Arjen Robben, Andrea Pirlo and Didier Drogba respectively. For now, let's plod on with Group H. Spain are overwhelming favourites to top the group ahead of an exciting, adventurous young Chile side and Central American outsiders Honduras. Oh, and Switzerland have qualified again.
Spain
They go into every tournament with a talented squad and many people saying this is their year before failing around about the quarter-finals, but this time could well be different. Firstly, they have a frankly preposterous record in their last 47 games of 44-2-1, which is most certainly championship-winning form. Secondly, the side is largely settled, with most of the starting 11 the same as Euro 2008, but with enough newcomers such as Pedro and Jesus Navas emerging in (and on) the wings to keep the first XI on their toes. But perhaps most importantly of all is that this side, and these players, are winners. Spain have used Euro 2008 as a springboard and come into this tournament full of confidence. Significantly, many of the side's players have also tasted major success with their clubs. They should sail through this group and are, along with Brazil, the pre-tournament favourites to win the competition, a billing they can live up to
Chile
Expect Marcelo Bielsa's young, adventurous side to be one of the more entertaining sides to watch during the tournament. Bielsa is likely to send his team out in a 3-3-1-3 formation, with Sporting CP playmaker Matias Fernandez playing just behind a 3-man frontline that is likely to include ex-Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez on the left, and thereby proving tht he and Fabio Aurelio are, in actual fact, 2 different people. Livewire Udinese frontman Alexis Sanchez is set to feature on the right, with Zaragoza centre-forward Humberto Suazo through the middle. Many of Bielsa's current squad featured in the 2007 Under 20 World Cup, where Chile finished 3rd. In that tournament, it was the 3-3-1-3 formation that brought them success, and as long as their talented youngsters perform again, Chile should progress from this group
Honduras
The Central American minnows are making their 1st appearance at the World Cup since 1982, and have only just made it now. They struggled to make it to 3rd place, and even that required the USA nicking a late draw against Costa Rica. They do have a few individuals playing in the Premier League, namely Wigan pair Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas, alongwith Thomas' central midfield partner Wilson Palacios of Tottenham, but apart from that the team looks decidedly mediocre. They may not even be that attractive to watch, with coach Reinaldo Rueda likely to favour a cautiosu approach- it's difficult to see them finiishing anywhere other than bottom of this group
Switzerland
Ottmar Hitzfeld's side have qualified again, but were far from convincing during their qualifying campaign: indeed, their qualifying campaign featured the standout result of qualifying: Switzerland 1 Luxembourg 2. The side is solid if unspectacular, although a crop of talented youngsters are beginning to emerge- they won the Under-17 World Championship last year, though this tournament will be too soon for the players involved to make it into Hitzfeld's squad. There are question marks over centre-back Philippe Senderos' lack of match practice this season, and they lack a top-class goalscorer- it's therefore difficult to see them making round 2
The bets for Group H
Spain to win 9 points: best price 6/4 general
Chile to score over 4.5 group stage goals: best price 13/10 with bwin
Honduras group finishing position 4th: best price 4/7 with Sportingbet
Switzerland to win 3 group points: best price 10/3 general
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment