Friday, Dec. 04, 2009

Group H

Spain, current European champion and ranked No. 1 in the world, is justifiably feared by all. It boasts the sumptuous strike partnership of Fernando Torres and David Villa, an embarrassment of riches in midfield (Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Alonso) and one of the world's best keepers (Casillas). It won all 10 qualifying games (although the U.S. ended its 35-game unbeaten streak by eliminating it from the Confederations Cup), and its passage to the knockout stage has been eased by a draw that pits it against three relatively weak teams in Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. Even before the draw was made, Spain had been installed as the bookmakers' favorites, and there's no reason for that to change.

Predicted Finishing Order
1. Spain 2. Chile 3. Switzerland 4. Honduras