It's for the group B preview, featuring defending champions Spain!
SPAIN
Manager: Vincente Del Bosque
Team Overview: La Roja may be the hottest team in the world right now. They followed up a victory in South Africa over the Dutch with a win in Euro 2012 over the Italians. On paper, Spain is definitely the best team in the world, though Brasil may have something to say about that.
X-Factor: Age. Both Brasil and Spain are having to deal with a lot of pressure this year, but Spain has to deal with four more years being tacked onto their team. David Villa has really shown his age during La Liga and in the Champion League Final loss to Real Madrid. Xavi has also shown his age, and it will be interesting to see how the Spanish skipper will play in Brasil.
Where they'll finish: Fitness and age will play a factor for La Roja. Having an all-Spanish Champions League final will have an interesting effect on this World Cup squad, whether good or bad. Even so, Del Bosque will have to make his players believe that it is World Cup or bust, or they won't stand a chance against Brasil in Rio De Janeiro.
NETHERLANDS
Manager: Louis Van Gaal
Team Overview: This may be the most interesting team in the world right now. Louis Van Gaal has taken over at Manchester United, and Robin Van Persie is dealing with a pretty significant injury. Wesley Sneijder is nothing like the leader he was in South Africa.
X-Factor: Getting off on the right foot. Regardless of Van Gaal's appointment at Man U, and how much of an impact Van Persie and Sneijder will have, this team has to get going quickly. They have a chance to prove themselves by opening up the tournament with a 2010 rematch with Spain, and they must play well in that match to have a legitimate chance this year.
Where they'll finish: The Dutch get to prove themselves with a rematch with Spain to open the tournament. If Van Gaal gets his head in the game, and Arjen Robben plays the leader role, this team has a good shot to get out of the group stage.
CHILE
Manager: Jorge Sampaoli
Team Overview: Attack, attack, and attack. That's the motto for one of the dark horses in Brasil this year. The Chileans play a very fast-paced, action-heavy style of football, and that's not likely to change during the World Cup against Holland and Brasil. Arturo Vidal holds a key spot in midfield, and Sampaoli will do his job from the sidelines.
X-Factor: Chile needs to hit first. Spain plays well in possession football, Holland have a good transition, and Australia tend to park the bus. Getting ahead of these different styles will be key if Chile look to make an impression on the football world.
Where they'll finish: Spain has a good hold at the top of Group B, but the Dutch are vulnerable without any real leadership. If Vidal can use his accurate passing to start the breaks, and Sampaoli can out coach Van Gaal, then the Chileans should be able to advance.
AUSTRALIA
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Team Overview: Austrailia may be in the toughest postion in the world, with several key players going down to injury, including Robbie Kruse and Rhys Williams. Not only that, but they drew a tough group with La Roja, the Dutch, and a hungry Chile team. I don't envy the spot Postecoglou is in here.
X-Factor: Avoiding a small-time mentality. Yes, the odds may be stacked against the Aussies, but they're going to have to ignore that. They will have to go out onto the pitch, and play the best defensive football that they can.
Where they'll finish: This group may be easier than it looks on paper. Regardless, the Aussies will have to ignore the media, and just go out and enjoy their football in Brasil. If they can do that, that's a win in my book.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Spain, Chile
SPAIN
Manager: Vincente Del Bosque
Team Overview: La Roja may be the hottest team in the world right now. They followed up a victory in South Africa over the Dutch with a win in Euro 2012 over the Italians. On paper, Spain is definitely the best team in the world, though Brasil may have something to say about that.
X-Factor: Age. Both Brasil and Spain are having to deal with a lot of pressure this year, but Spain has to deal with four more years being tacked onto their team. David Villa has really shown his age during La Liga and in the Champion League Final loss to Real Madrid. Xavi has also shown his age, and it will be interesting to see how the Spanish skipper will play in Brasil.
Where they'll finish: Fitness and age will play a factor for La Roja. Having an all-Spanish Champions League final will have an interesting effect on this World Cup squad, whether good or bad. Even so, Del Bosque will have to make his players believe that it is World Cup or bust, or they won't stand a chance against Brasil in Rio De Janeiro.
NETHERLANDS
Manager: Louis Van Gaal
Team Overview: This may be the most interesting team in the world right now. Louis Van Gaal has taken over at Manchester United, and Robin Van Persie is dealing with a pretty significant injury. Wesley Sneijder is nothing like the leader he was in South Africa.
X-Factor: Getting off on the right foot. Regardless of Van Gaal's appointment at Man U, and how much of an impact Van Persie and Sneijder will have, this team has to get going quickly. They have a chance to prove themselves by opening up the tournament with a 2010 rematch with Spain, and they must play well in that match to have a legitimate chance this year.
Where they'll finish: The Dutch get to prove themselves with a rematch with Spain to open the tournament. If Van Gaal gets his head in the game, and Arjen Robben plays the leader role, this team has a good shot to get out of the group stage.
CHILE
Manager: Jorge Sampaoli
Team Overview: Attack, attack, and attack. That's the motto for one of the dark horses in Brasil this year. The Chileans play a very fast-paced, action-heavy style of football, and that's not likely to change during the World Cup against Holland and Brasil. Arturo Vidal holds a key spot in midfield, and Sampaoli will do his job from the sidelines.
X-Factor: Chile needs to hit first. Spain plays well in possession football, Holland have a good transition, and Australia tend to park the bus. Getting ahead of these different styles will be key if Chile look to make an impression on the football world.
Where they'll finish: Spain has a good hold at the top of Group B, but the Dutch are vulnerable without any real leadership. If Vidal can use his accurate passing to start the breaks, and Sampaoli can out coach Van Gaal, then the Chileans should be able to advance.
AUSTRALIA
Manager: Ange Postecoglou
Team Overview: Austrailia may be in the toughest postion in the world, with several key players going down to injury, including Robbie Kruse and Rhys Williams. Not only that, but they drew a tough group with La Roja, the Dutch, and a hungry Chile team. I don't envy the spot Postecoglou is in here.
X-Factor: Avoiding a small-time mentality. Yes, the odds may be stacked against the Aussies, but they're going to have to ignore that. They will have to go out onto the pitch, and play the best defensive football that they can.
Where they'll finish: This group may be easier than it looks on paper. Regardless, the Aussies will have to ignore the media, and just go out and enjoy their football in Brasil. If they can do that, that's a win in my book.
LIKELY TO ADVANCE: Spain, Chile
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