Where to start? Only one place. Who will win the 2014 World Cup?
(Credit: here) Well everyone has their own team, their own theory on who will win, and how. The goal? Not just to win the above, but to impress the whole watching world.
Here's my three World Cup sides with a chance. So enjoy, this and the football!
How can any preview not feature Spain. Their time has passed you say? They've won the last two European Championships and the last World Cup. Climate a problem? South Africa 2010.
It seems success has transferred to domestic football too. How many all Spanish Champions League clashes do you remember? None, so just this years final? Superb game, wasn't it?
Sevilla winning the Europa League, Real Madrid the Champions League, David Silva the premier league. So what's stopping Spain?
Well, potentially the draw. You have to beat the best to be the best, very much so. But can you fancy Spain beating Germany, Argentina and then maybe Brazil? We all know they can but are you one of their doubters? Can the glory last forever? Well, here's who to keep an eye on.
The Spanish defense tends to be quite hit and miss, but to get in at right back you have to have something about you.Michel Salgado came out and said he was surprised at Dani Carvajal's emission but a superb season from Juanfran might see him nick a starting spot. To replicate Jordi Alba on the other side of the defense would be superb to watch but the reliability has to come from somewhere, perhaps the La Liga winner might be key in a way you won't even notice.
Xavi might be playing his last World Cup, with so many players eager to pounce in the wings. But, if Xavi can dictate as he has done for Spain in recent successes, who knows whether they can do it again. Some might say well why not Iniesta? Well I think Andres is more my type of player, but you know what you will get.
(Credit: here)
I think Xavi's had a poor season, perhaps that's why even Barcelona have been off the pace, but sometimes true class can be under estimated. You have been warned.
Hosting the tournament comes with added pressure, none more so than Brazil. With fans protesting at games, outside grounds and in the favellas, the players must feel like the nation isn't fully behind them. But that didn't stop them in the Confederations Cup, winning the tournament and beating Spain 3-0. Hitting form? 11 friendly wins out of 12 suggests so, but then again, form counts for nothing sometimes. Which Brazil is going to turn up? The one we love, have grown up with, admire, or the one who stutters to results over Serbia?
I think it could be something beautiful, to see the brilliant game at its brilliant best, played by brilliant Brazilians,
but it might take some doing. Where are the superstars of the past? RONALDO, PELE, RONALDINHO?
Well, does Neymar fit into that superstar status? Nowhere, yet.
Messi and Neymar will both be hoping to fire their nations to success. (Credit: here)
Individually perhaps a good season, his first at Barcelona. 13 goals. Despite being injured for part of the season. He could need the biggest stage of all but yet again does the former Santos player, only 22, have what it takes to lead Brazil to glory on their home turf? Well, you can't win anything with kids....
Oscar tends to be given a flexible, creative role in Jose Mourinho's Chelsea but that won't be the case here. Expect him to fill central midfield in a more holding role with Ramires. Possibly the best legs Brazil have to offer in a midfield packed with world class attacking midfielders. The good thing with Brazil is the back up they have, but does the first eleven stand out enough? Not enough to win it I say.
One team I think could stand up to the task is Argentina. How can you stop them? A front three of Higuain, Aguero, Messi?
Messi, Aguero and Higuain have scored 86 goals between them this season. (Credit: here)
Another suspect defense but sometimes you can afford it. The 'we'll score more than you' tactic is always suited to another entertaining World Cup. The forward play could be truly exceptional, The main problem? Meeting someone who starves them of the ball. The defeat to Germany in 2010 was incredible, but sometimes you realise it's your time. Messi needs a World Cup win, fresh from signing a new Barcelona contract. The forward, favorite to be top scorer, only has a one in two strike rate for his country but in a group featuring Nigeria, Iran and Edin Dzeko inspired Bosnia, the forwards might as well be shooting with a loaded rifle, too hot to handle? Probably.
So who's your other Argentinian player to watch? Ricky Alvares has had a great season for an under-performing Inter Milan. There isn't too much raw youth in this squad so to see someone so naturally talented hit the heights is great. Could be the one who goes under the radar to peak in Brazil.
Prediction: Argentina to beat Brazil in the final.
Top scorer: Messi
Top player: Messi
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