Group B

Group B (team guides from FIFA)


Spain: Curitiba


Best price = 7/1

FIFA key players
Though there is no doubt that Spain’s embarrassment of midfield riches, featuring the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Xabi Alonso, has been integral to their major trophy triumphs, La Selección are strong across the board.
The men in red have a phalanx of very reliable keepers to call on, headed by Iker Casillas, while Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique have consolidated their positions as the leaders of a defence in which left-back Jordi Alba has gone from strength to strength. Ramos and Alba are also a threat in the opposing box, and in recent times have made goalscoring contributions that have been almost as decisive as those of the front men.
With both David Villa and Fernando Torres struggling to find their touch, Pedro has distinguished himself as an attacking spearhead, ably supported by Cesc Fabregas, while Alvaro Negredo has begun to stake a compelling claim of his own for the striking role.

My key player:Diego Costa


Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 (Winners), FIFA U-20 World Cup Nigeria 1999 (Winners), Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Barcelona 1992 (Winners)

Netherlands: Rio de Janeiro


Best price = 33/1

FIFA key players
Robin van Persie's blossoming into one of the finest strikers in the world has been a huge boon to the Dutch, with the Manchester United marksman topping the goal-scoring charts with 11 goals. He was able assisted in that department though by the likes of Jermaine Lens - who has progressed into a key part of the Oranje outfit - and Rafael van der Vaart. Arjen Robben continues to be a menace on the wing, while formerly promising youngsters such as Kevin Strootman and Daryl Janmaat are now key components of the side.

My key player: Arjen Robben


Coach: Louis Van Gaal
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Germany 1974, Argentina 1978, South Africa 2010 (Runners-up), FIFA Futsal World Cup Netherlands 1989 (Runners-up), Men’s Olympic Football Tournament London 1908, Stockholm 1912, Antwerp 1920 (Third place), FIFA U-17 World Cup Peru 2005 (Third place)

Chile: Belo Horizonte


Best price = 50/1

FIFA key players
Forwards Alexis Sanchez and Eduardo Vargas, as well as attacking midfielders Matias Fernandez and Arturo Vidal, are the leading men in a squad packed with talent and boasting viable alternatives in each position. Nor must we forget experienced performers such as Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel and Jorge Valdivia, or exciting rising stars like Jean Beausejour and Marcelo Diaz.

My key player:Arturo Vidal


Coach: Jorge Sampaoli
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Chile 1962 (Third place), FIFA U-17 World Cup Japan 1993 (Third place), FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 (Third place), Men’s Olympic Football Tournament Sydney 2000 (Third place)

Australia, Vitoria


Best price = 1500/1

FIFA key players
Tim Cahill remains the team’s undoubted star and talisman with a stunning goal ratio from midfield and equally remarkable heading ability despite his modest stature. Long-serving skipper and central defender Lucas Neill remains a bedrock of the team and has never let his country down regardless of domestic form. A two-goal showing at South Africa 2010 has seen Brett Holman’s profile and importance to the team take a sharp upward trajectory with the midfielder displaying versatility and an impressive short passing game.

My key player: Brett Holman


Coach: Ange Postecoglou
Best performances in a FIFA competition: FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 (Round of 16), FIFA U-17 World Cup New Zealand 1999 (Runners-up)

Spain are very obviously favourites for this group. They only have one game in hot and humid conditions, and they'll probably pleased that it's against the other European side in the group Holland in Salvador. I don't feel that Spain are the same side that won the World Cup and European Championship in their last two tournaments though, and I'm keen to oppose them overall. They still have scores of excellent players, but their brilliance came from the midfield of Xavi and Iniesta. When those two were at their peak no-one could get the ball off them. Spain will try and play the same way, but with these two in decline it will be hard. They also had two of the best strikers in the world in Villa and Torres but even if Torres makes the squad he doesn't seem to be the same player and it remains to be seen if Costa or Negredo can fill the void. I would expect Spain to win this group but if they do they may struggle in their 2nd Round game and Quarter final in the sultry conditions of Forteleza then Salvador, and although looking at likely opponents they would be among the favourites to make the semis, I will look to oppose them in the outright. Holland have plenty of World Cup pedigree but I wonder whether this current crop is as good as previous generations. Van Persie and Robben will lead them but I don't know if they can beat Spain in hot conditions and I suspect they may be the ones to miss out in this tough group. Chile are said to be the team Brazil fear most. It's easy to see why, their style and formation is unique and they have of very talented players like Sanchez and Vidal. They have to beat the Socceroos first, but if they do they might be able to get through this group with two draws against Spain and Holland. If rank outsidersAustralia didn't have enough to contend with the draw in this group, they also have the most travelling, with 1600-2600 mile round trips for each match, and if they avoid three defeats they should get an open-top bus ride on arrival back down under, which will inevitably and unfortunately be immediately after the groups.

Bets
Spain/Chile dual forecast 21/10