2014 World Cup Odds: Group D Picks and Predictions – Spain the Favorite: When examining Group B, defending World Champion Spain immediately pops out. However, the group also contains last year’s runner-up, the Netherlands, marking the first time in World Cup history that the finalists from the previous tournament will be in the same group in pool play. Why it would be easy to think a group featuring last year’s finalists would be a nothing more than a two-horse race, that won’t necessarily be the case. A red hot Chile team is also in Group B, and although Australia is likely a fourth wheel, the two teams that advance to the knockout stage from this group will still have to earn it.
Projected Winner: Spain
You will be hard pressed to find a more accomplished group than the one Spain brings to Brazil. Not only are a record 16 players back from the team that won the most recent World Cup, but the core of the group has been part of three additional world titles since its 2010 World Cup triumph. Not surprisingly, Spain’s top-to-bottom roster talent is excellent, and while the midfield of Cesc Frabregas and Xabi Alonso is a big reason why this team is able to dominate the ball and time of possession, Spain also has plenty of offensive weapons. Meanwhile, goalie Iker Casillas has more than proven himself in big games. Spain rolled through World Cup qualifying with an undefeated record, and this team should be able to win Group B and potentially a second straight World Cup title.
Projected Runner-Up: Netherlands
The Dutch nearly won the 2010 World Cup, and after going undefeated in qualifying for this year’s tournament, the 2014 roster has plenty of talent in its own right. The strength of the team is its attack where forward Robin Van Perise and offensive-minded midfielders Arjen Robben Wesley Sneidjer headline a potent scoring attack. Granted, the Dutch didn’t look particularly on top of their game during some recent friendlies, but now that the matches are going to count for something, the focused team that didn’t lose a match during World Cup qualifying will likely resurface. Group B isn’t an walk in the park, but the Dutch should be able to find their way to the knockout round.
Potential Sleeper: Chile
A coaching changed provided a much-needed spark for Chile, and after Jorge Sampaoli took over, this team finished World Cup qualifying on a 5-0-1 hot streak. Chile’s two main stars are forward Alexis Sanchez midfielder Eduardo Vargas, but the team as a whole is one of the best at creating havoc and turnovers. More importantly, Chile has a habit of turning mistakes by opponents into scoring chances. Granted, being in the same group with two possession-heavy teams like Spain and the Netherlands isn’t ideal for their style of play, but Chile will be playing on its own continent, and this team isn’t outclassed by any means. One exceptional game on its part or one bad game from the Dutch or Spain could put Chile in the knockout stage.
Team to Avoid: Australia
Australia snuck into the World Cup through a weak qualifying group, and the team’s roster is flat out a notch below the other teams in Group B in terms of talent. To make matters worse, the team’s best player, Robbie Kruse, is out for the World Cup with any injury. Australia was likely going to struggle to score even at full strength, and with Kruse on the shelf, the outcome looks bleak for this team. Granted, Australia isn’t terrible on the defensive side of the field, but it also isn’t an elite defensive team. The uptick in competition in the World Cup, specifically in Group B, is going to expose Australia’s run-of-the-mill roster in a big way.
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