Spain
The Euro 2008 champions are the favourites with the bookmakers to win both the cup itself, and the Golden Boot through striker David Villa. Prices on Spain are around the 4-1 mark with Villa at 9-1. A double on Spain and Villa offers 25-1 at the time of writing, which is the same price as double on Spain with Villa’s strike partner Fernando Torres.
It’s not just Torres and Villa making Spain such an appealing proposition going into the tournament. Players like Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol and Casillas make this team a formidable blend of experience, consistency and flair, who are unlikely to find this group draw too problematic.
Chile
This is the first time Chile have qualified since their second round exit in 1998. They have had somewhat greater success in the Copa America, but haven’t made it past the quarter finals there since 1999.
FIFA rank the South America 17th in the world, and at 66-1 along with Ghana and Serbia the bookmakers also seem to see them as being in the middle of the pack.
In qualifying they finished second in South America, behind Brazil but ahead of Argentina, Paraguay and Uraguay respectively, which was a pretty impressive performance given the strength of the Angentine side.
Switzerland
Switzerland reached round two in the last World Cup, but failed to qualify on the two previous occasions. They were knocked out in Germany by the Ukraine on penalties after a goalless draw. Switzerland were, as a piece of mildly interesting trivia, the only team who didn’t concede a single goal in the 2006 competition.
They also featured in the last two European Cups, co-hosting the 2008 competition with Austria, though the failed to progress beyond their group on either occasion.
In qualifying, Switzerland came first in their group, which also contained fellow qualifying team Greece, as well as Israel and Latvia.
Current odds on a Swiss win are 150-1.
Honduras
2010 will be the second World Cup outing for Honduras, who also played in the 1982 competition, where they finished bottom of their group.
One of the biggest outsiders in the tournament, odds are currently around 1000-1 for them to win.
With players dotted all around the world at club level, at teams like Wigan, Torino and Aderlecht as well as in their domestic league and the American MLS.
Prediction
It is hard to see anyone but Spain winning this group. With everything the Spain team has going for it there should be nothing here that is going to stop them. Switzerland may be able to unsettle the most obvious order of this group, but the prediction is:
1. Spain
2. Chile
3. Switzerland
4. Honduras
