World Cup Group H Preview

A group with three Spanish-speaking nations, one of whom are the favourites for the World Cup. Spain are widely expected to top Group H, with Chile and Switzerland doing battle for second place. Honduras are considered as one of the whipping boys in in this year’s tournament.

Spain

Fernando Torres, David Villa, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, Iker Casillas, Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish team is list of who’s-who at the top of European football currently. They showed in Euro 2008 they could play as a team without imploding in the knockout stages. They even won a penalty shootout. The favourites in South Africa, Spain will want to match Brazil’s position in the group stages to avoid meeting as early as the second round. Both are expected to win their groups. Vicente Del Bosque is finding life easy as an international manager; winning 25 out of 26 games as Spain manager, finishing their World Cup warm up with a 6-0 drubbing of Poland on Wednesday.

David Villa is the favourite to win the Golden Shoe, having been the top scorer in Euro 2008. All 4 of his goals in that competition came in the first two matches. Golden Shoe’s can be won at the group stage, so look out for Villa to get his name on the scoresheet a few times again in 2010. Fernando Torres is another contender for that award. If the Liverpool striker remains fit he will likely have a big say in Spain’s World Cup campaign. He scored the only goal in the Euro 2008 final. Their midfield contains a number of inteliigent and technically gifted players who are capable of keeping possession and opening defences up. Arguably the best midfield unit in this year’s competition. Defensively there are a few question marks, but if their opponents can’t get hold of the ball, the defence won’t be called into duty very often. In goal is the experienced and talented Iker Casillas to call upon. Rightfully the favourites in 2010.

Switzerland

Ottmar Hitzfeld lead Switzerland into the World Cup after a slow start to their qualifying campaign. He’s made the team well-organised and difficult to beat. If they’re to progress from the group, they need to aim to beat Chile. This nation doesn’t create many goalscoring opportunities, but if they do they should aim for their all time top goalscorer Alexander Frei up front.

A defence that includes Philippe Senderos, Switzerland are vulnerable to the odd lapse of concentration from their unit, that Spain will thrive upon if is the case in their opening group game. Far from being the most exciting team in the tournament, Switzerland don’t create many chances. Gokhan Inler in their midfield possesses a great shot from long range, but there won’t be too much to write home about regarding Switzerland.

Chile

With more victories than Brazil and finishing 2nd in the CONMEBOL qualification table, Chile have every reason to be optimistic heading into the World Cup. Although an earthquake disrupted their build up, Marcelo Bielsa has put together a goalscoring unit. 32 goals in qualification, the team is capable of creating chances all over the park and has a lot of pacey players.

One of those quick players is former Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez. Failed to make a mark at the Reds, don’t be surprised to see the winger burn a few full backs this summer. Humberto Suazo will be the man in the middle up front, if fit. A regular goalscorer domestically and through qualifying, this will be his first time to prove his worth at a World Cup. Defensively is where Chile are weak, but they should have enough to keep Honduras and Switzerland’s goals to a minimum, while using their pace on the counter attack to score goals of their own.

Honduras

A candidate for the weakest team in the tournament, Honduras struggled through a weak qualification. Congratulations on them making it to the finals, but don’t expect it to be a happy stay. They’re likely to be nothing more than making up the numbers. The attacking players both Spain and Chile possess are going to enjoy facing the Honduras defence. Their own attack doesn’t land much of a punch either.

One talented player in the squad is Wilson Palacios. He’ll battle in midfield for them, breaking up attacks. But the Spurs midfielder won’t be able to do it all on his own and will be overrun. They’ll put numbers behind the ball, but eventually they’ll be broken down. And after the first goes in, there’s no saying how many more will follow. Honduras do have the highest international goalscorer competing in the 2010 World Cup in Carlos Pavon. At 36 and playing in his first World Cup, it’s questionable if he or his country will make it on the scoresheet.

Value Bets

Spain to score most goals at World Cup 7/2
Spain to be top European team 12/5
Honduras to finish with 0 points 12/5