World Cup Group H

Deserved favourites in the outright market following their scintillating triumph at Euro 2008, Spain won’t be overjoyed by a tricky looking Group H and are also set to face one of the big boys in round two.

Spain

Vicente el Bosque’s men produced some of the best football seen on the international stage in a long time 18 months ago, certainly from a European team, when sweeping all before them in Austria-Switzerland and Spain are quite rightly considered the team to beat in South Africa.

Spain’s mammoth 35 game unbeaten run, which included their European Championship triumph, came to a shock end when defeated by a spirited USA at the Confederations Cup in the summer but they got back on track to end a wonderful qualifying campaign with a perfect record and their pool of talent is currently the envy of every other nation.

In breezing past Bosnia, Belgium and Turkey, conceding just five goals along the way, Spain confirmed themselves as the leading side in Europe but have not been to a World Cup semi final since 1950 and look odds on, providing they progress from Group H, to face a very tough early examination of their credentials.

Brazil, Ivory Coast or Portugal surely await in round two and, while Spain would probably be favourites against any of that trio, things certainly could have been an awful lot easier.

Spain have too much quality to mention, it is impossible to pinpoint any hint of a weakness, but the front pairing of David Villa and Fernando Torres deserve special praise. The duo lit up Euro 2008 but do find things understandably straightforward feeding off the likes of the wonderful midfield axis of Xavi and Andreas Iniesta and, if they produce their best, then it is difficult to see who can stop Spain.

With the emergence of Barcelona’s Gerard Pique to play alongside Carlos Puyol in the heart of defence Spain have, if anything, improved since their famous triumph of two years ago and, with Iker Casillas still one of the best goalkeepers around, it is going to take something pretty special to penetrate their rearguard.

Spain have plenty going for them, including a top manager, and even odds of 1/14 with Paddy Power about them progressing probably underestimates their chances.



UPDATE: Three of Spain's star players should be fit for the World Cup and have been included in the squad. They are Andreas Iniesta, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas.

Chile

The South American side continue to be mentioned as possible dark horses for top honours in South Africa but they simply don’t do it for me and I’ll be happy to take on Chile.

Second only to Brazil in qualifying, their supporters have plenty of evidence to make a case for their chances but Marcelo Bielsa’s side haven’t been together long and I much prefer the look of Group H rivals Switzerland.

Chile are a best-priced 4/6 with Paddy Power to reach the last 16 but even with hotshot striker Humberto Suazo to call upon, he notched 10 goals to lead the charts in South America, I remain unconvinced. The Monterrey man is a talent, no doubt, but he’ll face two robust defences in Group H and I think Chile could struggle for goals.

Captained by Real Sociedad goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, Chile must get off to a good start versus Honduras in Nelspruit with tougher tasks ahead and their clash with the Swiss on June 21 looks crucial.

In a tournament full of untapped young talent Chile possess plenty, I like the look of Reggina midfielder Carlos Carmona, but they do lack experience and plenty of responsibility will rest upon the shoulders of Suazo. He could, of course, deliver but there are seemingly too many question marks and Chile appear for an early exit if the level of expectation overwhelms them.

Chile have not won a single match at the World Cup finals since 1962, when finishing third on home soil, and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise were that run to continue.

Switzerland

German coach Ottmar Hitzfeld certainly wont possess the most talented squad on display in South Africa but Switzerland are extremely tough to beat and they are tipped to join Spain in the last 16.

The 13/8 available with VC Bet about the Swiss reaching the knockout stages simply looks too good to turn down and there is no doubt they are an emerging nation. Unlucky losers on penalties versus Ukraine four years ago, a place in the second round certainly must be the target once again and I think they’ll get it.

Just one defeat in qualifying saw Switzerland reach South Africa with relative ease and while they still rely on the likes of Alexander Frei and Hakan Yakin there is some young promise there too.

Udinese midfielder Gokhan Inler, linked on numerous occasions with a move to Arsenal, is one to keep an eye on and he has blossomed under veteran coach Hitzfeld as has Tranquillo Barnetta. Big things are expected of the Bayer Leverkusen man and this could well be his time to shine on the biggest stage of all.

The duo of Philip Senderos and Patrick Muller may not be to everybody’s liking in defence but they perform with great effectiveness for their country and the Swiss must be respected. This is a unit that has been progressing nicely in recent years and the whole is certainly greater than the sum of its parts.

Honduras

I had pretty high hopes that Honduras could ruffle a few feathers in South Africa following a decent qualifying campaign which saw them edge out Costa Rica but this is a tough group from which to progress and they look up against it.

A decent win in the preliminaries over Mexico hinted at just what Reinaldo Rueda’s team were capable of and they are led by the evergreen Carlos Pavon in attack. The 36-year-old striker is approaching the 100 cap mark but Honduras’ hopes rest with the younger generation and the future is bright.

Following his big money move from Wigan to Tottenham, Wilson Palacios has impressed everybody in the Premier League and his former club teammate Maynor Figueroa is also a talent.

Inter Milan’s David Suazo is another set for big things but Honduras still rely on a number of home based players, particularly in defence, and they look vulnerable to their more illustrious Group H opponents. Honduras are 11/2 to make the second round with Sky Bet but that makes no appeal and their matches could feature plenty of goals.