With mere days left before the 2014 World Cup, it’s time to get into the nitty gritty of the tournament’s group stage. We’ve started by breaking down everything you need to know about the host country’s group in our Group A preview, and now we turn to the favorite-heavy Group B. Also, see our comprehensive World Cup predictions.
Reigning World Cup champions Spain will begin their quest to defend their title in Group B, where they will once again cross paths with international rival the Netherlands. The two European giants are heavily favored to advance from the group, but Chile and their high intensity tactics could spice things up for the two favorites.
After successfully defending their European crown, can Spain remain champions of the world in Brazil? Set up a betting account today and read on to see what is in store for La Furia Roja in the group stage.
[sc:Soccer ]Group B Predictions and Preview for the 2014 World Cup
Spain
[sc:Soccer240banner ]This World Cup, Spain–the reigning world and European champions–will be seeking to become the first country to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1958-62. Our oddsmakers have them at +650 to achieve the historic feat.
Head coach Vicente del Bosque will bring to Brazil a relatively unchanged squad from the one that claimed the trophy in South Africa, with Barcelona midfielders Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets pivotal to the team’s trademark tiki-taka style.
If the Spaniards have a weakness, it’s at striker, as newly-naturalized striker Diego Costa may miss the tournament due to injury. Without him, del Bosque will likely turn to established veterans Fernando Torres and David Villa, with Cesc Fabregas also an option as a false nine. Many countries in this tournament would beg to start Torres or Villa up front, so Spain’s are the problems of the talent-rich.
Update: Spain striker David Villa has announced that he will be retiring from international football at the end of the upcoming World Cup. He scored twice in Spain’s final warm-up game vs. El Salvador. Striker Diego Costa started that game and lasted 75 minutes as he improves his fitness ahead of the World Cup.
Netherlands
The Netherlands will bring a much-changed squad to Brazil compared to the one which led them to the finals against Spain in 2010. Newly-appointed Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will lean on established veterans in Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder upfront, and will put faith in untested youngsters throughout the rest of the team.
Nevertheless, the Netherlands is still considered Spain’s biggest challenger in Group B and a top contender in the tournament. The Dutch are +260 to claim top spot in Group B and +2,500 to win their first ever World Cup.
Despite coming so close to the title, staunch Dutch idealists were not impressed with the team’s pragmatic approach in South Africa. As one of those romantics of “Total Football”, expect van Gaal’s team to play some attractive football in Brazil. Whether it will produce results is yet to be determined.
Update: Concerns about the fitness of Dutch striker Robin van Persie persist after failing to complete 90 minutes in the Netherlands’ 2-0 win over Wales. van Persie had scored in the Netherlands’ previous two friendlies, a 2-2 draw vs. Ecuador and a 1-0 win over Ghana.
Chile
Chile is the hot wild card in Group B, priced at +450 to steal the group from the two 2010 World Cup finalists. Head coach Jorge Sampaoli implements the same 3-4-3 formation that relies on high intensity and heavy pressing that former coach Marcelo Bielsa used to lead the Chileans to the Round of 16 in South Africa.
Leading the execution of that system will be Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal and Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez. The two are legitimate world class players currently playing for two of Europe’s biggest clubs, and could supply that dash of quality for Chile, especially against powerhouses Spain and the Netherlands.
Australia
Priced at +4,500 to win Group B, Australia is expected to be the also-ran among the four nations. With the likes of Lucas Neill, Harry Kewell, Brett Emerton and Mark Schwarzer now gone, 34-year olds Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano are all that remains from Australia’s golden generation.
Captain Mile Jedinak had a very good season for English Premier League side Crystal Palace, and exemplifies Australia’s overall physical approach. With a lack of football talent on its squad, the entire team must fully adopt this philosophy to withstand the attacking quality of its groupmates.
Key Game – Spain vs. Netherlands (June 13)
So much for saving the best for last. Group B will begin with the titanic rematch of 2010’s World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands on June 13, on just the second day of competition. Whoever comes away from this game from victory – should there be a winner – will immediately be in pole position to win the group.
Even with a very good footballing team in the Netherlands, Spain should still see large amount of possession in this game, but with Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben, the Dutch have the clinical strikers who could make the most out of limited opportunities.
Writer’s Prediction
Chile could potentially give the Europeans a good fight, but both the Spanish and the Dutch have too much quality not to go through. Spain and the Netherlands (-145) will emerge from Group B.
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