World Cup 2010 - Group H Preview

Finally, we finish with Group H. We have the best team in the world in Spain, Switzerland, Chile and Honduras. Spain are the obvious clear favourites, and although they have often let down their fans when hyped up, should win this group easily. The second spot, well it's tight. Chile are 17th in the world, but Switzerland are one place below them in 18th. Honduras sit in 39th.

Spain


Key men: They have so many. Iniesta, Fabregas and Xavi cover the middle of midfield. Not to forget Xabi Alonso and peeker Sergio Busquets. In attack, Fernando Torres and David Villa are supported by David Silva. Spain also have one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Iker Casillas is heavily covered by Carlos Puyol, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique. Their only problem is at left back, even though Arbeloa and Capdevila are alright.

Story of qualifying: Not much to talk about here. Won their group, and won all their games.

How will they do?: Easy peasy, despite some of their stars recovering from injuries. They have the best squad at the world cup by a mile. 1st

 

Switzerland

Key men: Alexander Frei leads the line for Switzerland. Vahlon Behrami is a star for them, though he may miss a game or two through injury. Phillipe Senderos is a rock at the back

Story of qualifying: They defended their way through their group and won it. They finished ahead of Greece (what a game that must have been!) by a point. They did lose to Luxembourg though, at home!

How will they do?: They will be hard to beat, but attacking teams like Spain and Chile probably have enough to unlock their defence. 3rd 

 Chile


Key men: Humbero Suazo is their main source of goals. A worry for them is that he is struggling for fitness. Goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, who plays for Real Sociedad, is the team captain after Marcelo Salas retired. Ex Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez is a threat on the wings to any defender.

Story of qualifying: They finished a point behind Brazil in second. They scored plenty of goals, the second highest, but conceded the most of the qualifiers.

How will they do?: I think with their attacking style they will do well. Switzerland don't offer that much, and Honduras aren't the strongest of sides. 2nd

 Honduras


Key men: Wilson Palacios is a huge player, and is going to be fit according to the man himself. He suffered an injury scare which would have ended all of Honduras' small hopes. His ex Wigan team mate Maynor Figueroa at left back is a very good player. Carlos Pavon and David Suazo will lead the front line.

Story of qualifying: They qualified thanks to an injury time from the United States! Bornstein equalised in the fourth minute of added time against Costa Rica. The Costa Ricans lead by two goals for most of the match and were sailing through to the world cup. Honduras must like the USA a lot now.

How will they do?: They have a few good players, but like a lot of teams I have predicted bottom finishes for not enough of them. I hope they prove me wrong, but I can't see them winning a game. Maybe against the Swiss. 4th


That is it for my World Cup Previews. Look out tomorrow for the predictions article where you can predict your world cup winners, golden boot and all of the first week's matches. I will remind you fo the points scoring, with a couple of changes.