World Cup 2010 - Group H

Spain

Switzerland

Chile

Honduras


Group Strength
La Furia Roja has been spared a nightmare scenario but being Spain at a World Cup they will no doubt still face some tough tests in the section. Ottmar Hitzfeld's Switzerland recovered from a poor start to their qualification campaign to top their listings ahead of 2004 European Champions Greece aswell as Israel. Meanwhile, Chile were only one point worse off than CONMEBOL section toppers, Brazil and are an exciting, dynamic prospect under coach Marcelo Bielsa, scoring 32 times in the qualification process. Honduras, back after 28 years to the world stage, are somewhat of an unknown quantity to a global audience but managed to inflict a 3-1 over Mexico during the CONCACAF qualification process and boast a number of impressive performers not to be taken lightly, particularly Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios.

Group Favourites
Spain will certainly fancy their chances of topping the group with relative ease; nine eminently winnable points are on offer for the current world number two and European champions. Wins over Switzerland and Honduras could leave Spain with the enviable prospect of fielding an under strength side in the final match against Chile. With players like Xavi, Andreas Iniesta, Fernando Torres, David Silva and David Villa at their disposal Spain could go the whole way and should see this group as a warm up for tougher tests further down the line. Spain’s history at major tournaments, particularly the World Cup where they have never gotten past the ¼ final stage, could be their downfall but they should still qualify from this group with relative ease.

Battle for Second
Chile and Switzerland will both see themselves as favourites to qualify alongside Spain and are separated by only six places in the current world rankings. In Ottmar Hitzfeld the Swiss have one of the best coaches in the world, having won two Champions League titles with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, and will be looking to at least equal their two most recent world cup performances where they reached the second round at USA 94 and Germany 06. Chile, however, were the stars of the South American qualification rounds, finishing above Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and just behind the number one team in the world, Brazil. The second match day fixture between these teams should decide who follows Spain into the second round and earns a fixture against Brazil. The tie really hinges on the players who perform best on the day for their country. For Chile Gary Mendel and Mark Gonzalez will be the main men while Hakan Yakin and Alexander Frei will be the men Switzerland will be pinning their hopes on.

The Outsiders
It would be unfair to label Honduras as rank underdogs in the section as they could have been handed a lot worse draw. However, the central Americans need to hit the ground running with a decent result against Chile on matchday one. It would be foolish to dismiss La Bicolor as no-hopers, boasting the likes of Wilson Palacios, David Suazo and Carlos Costly in their ranks. But I still believe the best they can hope for is a draw against Switzerland on the last day as the Swiss should have already qualified alongside Spain by then.


Going Forward
The runners-up in Group H will surely have a stern task on their hands in the knock-out round of 16. Brazil, Ivory Coast, Portugal and outsiders North Korea comprise Group G, with the top-placed team in that pool moving on to meet Group H's second best. Whoever finishes second will more than likely be taking on Brazil in the second round and should see their tournament end at that point, but Spain will fancy themselves against either Ivory Coast or their Iberian neighbours in the second round. Spain are the favourites to go all the way and win the tournament but in order to do this they must do two things for the first time. They must get past the ¼ final stage and they must become the first European team to win the World Cup outside of Europe. In order to do this they are going to have beat the likes of Portugal, Holland, Italy and Brazil along the way. They may have been handed a relatively easy group but once the knock-out stages begin Spain will have the toughest route of all. However, I still expect them to go far and at least reach the semi-finals.

Fixtures
Honduras – Chile, June 16th, (12.30)
Spain – Switzerland, June 16th, (15.00)
Chile – Switzerland, June 21st, (15.00)
Spain – Honduras, June 21st, (19.30)
Chile – Spain, June 25th, (19.30)
Switzerland – Honduras, June 25th, (19.30)

Prediction
1st – Spain
2nd – Switzerland
3rd – Chile
4th - Honduras

World Cup 2010 - Group G

Ivory Coast

Portugal

Brazil

DPR Korea

Group Strength
A tantalising battle between three teams, Brazil, Ivory Coast and Portugal, who love to exhibit the beautiful game. Any one of these teams will believe they can leave their mark on this competition. Brazil are perennial favourites while Ivory Coast are Africa’s best chance of success on home soil. Portugal, despite their recent problems, can also be viewed as a threat so long as Ronaldo is fit. North Korea pulled off a huge shock in 1966 when they beat Italy. Even gaining a single point from this group will be viewed as an even bigger shock.

Group Favourites
Brazil are probably considered the favourites based on history and experience at this level but there are no clear favourites to finish top of Group G. With players like Lucio, Julio Cesar, Kaka and Robinho, Brazil are understandably seen as the strongest team and for that fact alone they will be viewed as favourites. Recent form generally does not mean much coming into a World Cup tournament and neither Brazil nor Portugal have much form as of late, however, the Ivory Coast do not have enough class and experience to take advantage if the opportunity arises.

Battle for Second
The opening round of games could decide who qualifies alongside Brazil for the round of 16. Portugal face Ivory Coast on June 15th. This should make for an explosive start to the group but could possibly leave the final round of games as a damp squib. The winner of this game will accompany Brazil through to the second round. Didier Drogba, Yaya & Kolo Toure will be the leading Ivory Coast stars while Portugal will be calling on Cristiano Ronaldo, Deco and Pepe to get them through. A very tough match to call but I will trump for Portugal, despite the recent 0-0 draw against Cape Verde Islands, to qualify.

The Outsiders
North Korea are the underdogs in this group full of pedigree and star players. They could not have asked for a more difficult first game to kick-start their finals campaign than facing five time world champions Brazil, and things will only continue in a terrible vein from there. The threat that is probably coming from Kim Jong Il towards the team will make no difference as it is very possible that North Korea will finish bottom with no goals scored and a record number of goals conceded. Nobody will enjoy seeing that happen, and no doubt the people of North Korea won’t even know.

Going Forward
The runners-up for this group will face the winner of Group H, very likely to be Spain. If that is Portugal or Ivory Coast then it essentially means that they will have to face the number one and number two ranked nations in FIFA's current world ranking before a potential clash with Italy in the ¼ finals. Not necessarily the easiest of routes to World Cup glory. The group winner, however, will have a relatively straightforward second round match against Chile, Switzerland or Honduras before a potential ¼ final meeting with the Netherlands. No matter what, if a team from Group G goes on to win the tournament, which is a very real possibility, they will have done it the hardest way possible.






Fixtures
Ivory Coast – Portugal, June 15th, (15.00)
Brazil – North Korea, June 15th, (19.30)
Brazil – Ivory Coast, June 20th, (19.30)
Portugal – North Korea, June 21st, (12.30)
Portugal – Brazil, June 25th, (15.00)
North Korea – Ivory Coast, June 25th, (15.00)

Prediction
1st – Brazil
2nd – Portugal
3rd – Ivory Coast
4th – DPR Korea

World Cup 2010 - Group F

Italy

Paraguay

New Zealand

Slovakia


Group Strength
Spain, Holland, Brazil, Germany, all these teams face somewhat tricky routes out of their group. Group F, however, contains no such problems for Italy. While the group contains the holders, neither New Zealand nor Slovakia hold any real weight on the international scene. This is only the All Whites' second World Cup, while 2010 is Slovakia's debut. Paraguay have previous experience at the World Cup, but have never progressed beyond the last 16. Don't expect anyone but Italy to reach beyond the round of 16 from this group.

Group Favourites
Without doubt Italy are considered favourites to top this group. While they did not perform to their best during qualification, the holders will have enough to see off their immediate opposition. Marcello Lippi has picked a strong squad for the tournament, surprisingly leaving out Giuseppe Rossi, and will look to be going all the way. Daniele De Rossi, Antonio Di Natale, and Gianluigi Buffon will be Italy’s leaders through Group F and it will be hoped that one or two more players can step up to the mark. They should have no problem qualifying for the round of 16 and with Cameroon their likely opponents there, should make at least the ¼ finals.

Battle for Second
Having picked up wins against both Argentina and Brazil during the South American qualification phase, Paraguay showed that they will be no pushovers on the big stage. They conceded less than a goal a game during qualifying, while the likes of Man City’s Roque Santa Cruz and Salvador Cabanas will be leading the line which should mean scoring a few goals against New Zealand and Slovakia. Like Italy, the Paraguayan mentality is more inclined towards defence than attack and they should have enough going forward to secure second place in the group.

The Outsiders
It's a toss up between New Zealand and Slovakia to see who will finish bottom of the group. New Zealand's only previous appearance in the World Cup finals came in 1982, when they lost all three matches. Slovakia have the stellar Marek Hamsik in their ranks and came through a far more difficult qualifying campaign than the All Whites, but their lack of experience at the very top level may hinder them a little. The likes of Ryan Nelson and Rory Fallon, who are plying their trade in English football, should mean New Zealand pick up their first ever world cup point against Slovakia. That alone will make this a world cup to remember for the All Whites.

Going Forward
Italy and Cameroon should face off in the last 16 and the Azzurri should get through that with no problems. Paraguay, the most likely runners up in Group F, should meet the Netherlands and will go no further. Group F will not make a mark on the 2010 World Cup and seeing the weakness of this group should make Irish fans even more annoyed that we are not involved.

Fixtures
Italy – Paraguay, June 14th, (19.30)
New Zealand – Slovakia, June 15th, (12.30)
Slovakia – Paraguay, June 20th, (12.30)
Italy – New Zealand, June 20th, (15.00)
Slovakia – Italy, June 24th, (15.00)
Paraguay – New Zealand, June 24th, (15.00)

Prediction
1st – Italy
2nd – Paraguay
3rd – Slovakia
4th - New Zealand