Who will win the World Cup?
With just under a week to go before Brazil Take on Croatia in the first Game of the 2014 World Cup on home soil the pundits are beginning to refine their predictions of possible winners.
According to the bookies it looks like this: Brazil 3/1 Argentina 5/1 Germany 6/1 Spain 13/2.
The tournament has been held 19 times, but only won by 8 nations so considering former winners seems sensible.
Lets take a look at the top three and also a possible outside chance.
Brazil
No team has a better World Cup record than Brazil having played in all 19 tournaments winning it on five occasions. However they are only ranked 4th in the World by FIFA. On the down side people are pointing to the lack of competitive football for Felipe Scolari’s squad as they did not have to qualify being the hosts. Others fear that the weight of expectation on the team from home supporters may prove to much at a vital moment.
On the plus side in Neymar they have a world class striker supported by the classy Robinho and the speed of Dani Alves. Goal Keeper Julio Cesar brings confidence and organisation to the defence
Verdict: Brazil will go close as normal, but I think others have more complete teams.
Argentina
Manager Alejandro Sabella’s side are trying to win the tournament for the third time. They have competed in the finals fifteen times and are ranked 7th by FIFA. They were top scorers in the qualifying competition and only Columbia conceded less goals. Their strength lies in scoring goals and in Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and Angel Di Maria they have a range of options. Many say that Messi has found it difficult to reproduce his Barcelona form when playing for his country.
Verdict: When it gets to the big games having the ability to score goals in a knockout competition is always going to give a team an advantage. Messi has to get it right in this competition sooner or later. I have opted for Argentina
Germany
Germany have appeared in 17 tournaments winning 3 times and are ranked second in the World by FIFA. They were unbeaten in the qualifying competition winning 9 out of 10 games and scoring 36 goals, more than any other side.
On the plus side Germany have a good mixture of youth and maturity with defenders such as Philip Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger having over 100 caps each blended with the passing skills of Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil and the striking power of the 2010 World Cup Young Player of the Tournament Thomas Muller. Add a world class goal keeper in the form of Manuel Neuer and they seem to have an excellent chance.
On the down side even coach Joachim Low admits there is still work to do particularly in defence. Drawing with Sweden 4-4 on home soil when they were leading 4-0 suggests they may be prone to lapses in concentration. Also no European country has won when the competition has been held in South America.
Verdict: I think they have a really good chance but I think it will go to a South American Team.
Chile: An outside chance.
Chile have competed in 8 World Cup finals and are ranked 13th in the World by FIFA. Their qualifying competition got off to a flying start beating Bolivia and Venezuela away from home but three straight defeats saw Argentinian coach Claudio Borghi replaced by fellow countryman Jorge Sampoli. After losing his first game in charge he won the next 5 and drew the remaining game. Their attacking style of play is reflected in the facts that only Argentina scored more goals in qualifying. However Chile also conceded more goals than any other team and only drew one game.
There are some familiar players from European football With Alexi Sanchez from Barcelona, Eduardo Vargas from Valencia and Arturo Vidal from Juventus. Wigan fans may recognise midfielder Jean Beausejour.
Verdict: They may not win but they will be exciting to watch.
Hang on What about Spain?
They have appeared in 13 of the tournaments are the current holders as well as being European Champions and are top ranked by FIFA.
My reason for opposing them is their low goal count. They only scored 14 in qualifying the 25th lowest total. Yes they can keep possession but in a knock out competition played in South America I think they will have to tell Del Bosque he will have to hand back the trophy.
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