Rounding out the 2010 tournament is a rather one-side looking Group F. One of only two groups that does not contain a previous winner (the other being Group E), the seeds are the current Euro champions and tournament favourites Spain. They are joined by a bunch of minnows in the form of fellow Europeans Switzerland, Chile, and Honduras, who are returning to the finals for only the second time.
Spain ($1.05 to advance) – The tournament favourites, and Iberian powerhouse, will look to become just the 8th independent nation to win the World Cup following their breakthrough success at Euro 2008. However, they have history against them with only Germany and Brazil winning their first trophy away from home. Still, the Spanish have a squad to die for, and ooze class all over the pitch. They have arguably the world’s best goalie in Iker Casillas, the world’s best midfield, and the likes of Fernando Torres and David Villa to bang in the goals up front. Whoever knocks them out wins the tournament for mine.
Honduras ($7.50) – A remarkable effort by this small Central American nation to qualify for its second ever World Cup Finals (first since 1982). Bringing back memories of Roger Millar at Italia ’90, 37-year old striker Carlos Pavon will make his finals debut after many years of heartache. Unfortunately it will be hard to see him match Millar’s feat of making it all the way to the quarter-finals, but no doubt the Hondurans will be celebrating every match they get on the ultimate world stage.
Chile ($1.75) – The sliver thin South American nation returns to the finals after a 12-year absence. The Chileans have a surprisingly good football pedigree having made it all the way to the semi-finals in Brazil in 1962. However, on only one other occasion have they made it to the knockout stages and an early exit looms on the cards here - unless they can get a good result against the Swiss.
Switzerland ($2.80) – Not the most exciting side you will ever see but the Swiss certainly know how to get the job done at World Cups. They topped a group that included France in 2006 before losing on penalties to the Ukraine in the last 16. In the process they become the first side to be eliminated from the World Cup without conceding a goal. Their stingy defence will be back in South Africa and that should be enough to see them progress again.
What 2 Watch 4 – The Spanish armada. This is an easy group and will give us a good idea of just how the Spanish are travelling. If they struggle early on it might be time to start sounding the warning bells.
Suggested Investment – Personally I think the Swiss are clearly the second best side in the Group and $2.80 for them to qualify seems ridiculous overs. Get on!
Prices courtesy of Betfair.
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