World Cup Preview – Group H
Spain
Like SI.com said in their World Cup preview there is Spain and everyone else in this group. You can even go one further and say there is Spain and everyone else in this World Cup. There is a case to be made that Spain has too much talent as everyone on this team is a big name and are use to starting week in and week out. Now half of those players have to adjust to a supporting role which isn’t easy when your use to playing the full 90 minutes. If anyone can handle a mix of superstar players it’s Vincent Del Bosque who is use to having to handle superstar players from his time coaching Real Madrid. The best thing to happen to Spain is losing to the United States in the Confederations Cup. Losing to the United States is exactly the slap to the face every top club needs once in awhile. All Vincent Del Bosque needs to do is remind Spain of that game last year and I’m sure this Spanish side won’t be taking anyone lightly afterwards. Only West Germany back in 1974 where able to follow up an European Championship with a World Cup. It will be interesting to see if Spain can match that.
Key Player - David Villa, Fernando Torres, David Silva, Andrés Iniesta, Xavi, Iker Casillas. You pick one
Sinnacle Prediction – 1st in Group H
Chile
Chile is another interesting team that I’m high on. Marcelo Bielsa who coach Agrentina in the 1998 World Cup will now see if he can lead Chile to the knockout stage. This team should also be one of the most attractive teams to watch as they play an attacking 4-3-3 with the likes of Humberto Suazo who scored goals for fun in qualifying leading the line. It’s always nice to have depth but in a competition like the World Cup it isn’t the end all and be all. Chile having young exciting players in key areas like Jorge Valdivia, Alexis Sánchez, former Liverpool man Mark Gonzalez and personal favorite Matias Fernandez all able to turn heads. I do expect Sporting’s Matias Fernandez to open up a few eyes as he will be counted on to pull the strings in midfield. Granted I didn’t mention anyone on their back line but do belief Chile match up favourable with Honduras and while on paper it would be wise to pick Switzerland I’m going with Chile to make their country proud after having to deal with the horrible earthquake of eariler this year.
Key Player – Matias Fernandez
Sinnacle Prediction – 2nd in Group H
Switzerland
You can really flip a coin between Switzerland and Chile who are quite use to making it to the knockout rounds of the World Cup but even with Ottmar Hitzfeld behind the bench just don’t see them making it into the knockout stage. When with good results like a draw against Italy this team does nothing for me which may work to their advantage as the likes of Spain won’t be geared up to face Switzerland but as mentioned above just don’t see Spain overlook any team and Chile will be playing with an extra chip on their shoulder which is the reason I see Switzerland not making the knockout round.
Key Player – Alexander Frei – Report of Alexander Frei limping out of training can’t be seen as good news. This team needs to find goals from somewhere and it will be Frei who will again be counted on to score goals for Switzerland in international competition.
Sinnacle Prediction – 3rd in Group H
Honduras
Talk about a team who should be happy to be in the World Cup. Hell they should give the United States Jonathan Bornstein a national hoiliday as his last minute goal against Costa Rica lifted Honduras to the World Cup. As mentioned previously new countries to the World Cup rarely make a slasph and I’m adding Honduras to the list. While they have players who have succeeded in Europe like David Suazo, Maynor Figueroa, and Wilson Palacios to go along with Amado Guevara and Carlos Pavon who have had success in MLS just can’t see this team do anything but roll over in the 1st round.
Key Player - Wilson Palacios – Honduras will need the Tottenham hardman to be fit if they have any chance of advancing from this group.
Sinnacle Prediction – 4th in Group H