World Cup 2010 Predictions: Group H

Now on to the last but definitely not the least group in the tournament.  Group H is similar to Group B for the fact that three teams love to push the tempo and light up the scoreboard while one chooses to fall back and rely on their defense.  Spain is the favorite in Group H and one of the favorites to go all the way this summer.  In order to finish first, they will have to pass three tough tests against Switzerland, Honduras, and Chile.  Will someone challenge Spain at the top of Group H?  Here are my predictions for Group H with each team's record and point total in parentheses.

 1. Spain (3-0-0, 9 points): Spain is hoping that the tournament monkey is now off their back after winning the European Championships in 2008.  Currently ranked number two in the world, La Furia Roja is chock-full of talent at every position.  It all starts for them in the midfield where Xavi (Barcelona) is the table setter.  He along with Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) in the midfield look to set up the best striking duo in the world in David Villa (Barcelona) and Fernando Torres (Liverpool).  Villa led the Euro Championships in goals in 2008 and is arguably in the best form of his career.  Defensivly, Gerard Piqué (Barcelona) and Carlos Puyol (Barcelona) form a strong nucleus in front of all-world goalkeeper Iker Casillas (Real Madrid).  Spain should have their way with this group, but it won't be an easy path going forward as they will have to play the second place finisher from Group G(roup of death) in the round of 16.  If they stay focused like they did two summers ago, they could be the team to beat this summer.

 2. Chile (2-1-0, 6 points): Maybe the most exciting team in the field of 32, Chile is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1998.  La Roja finished in a tie for second in qualification behind Brazil and won a continent-best five matches away from home.  Chile lines up in the extremely agressive 3-4-3 formation which leads to many chances on offense, but also can leave them hung out to dry on defense.  Midfielder Matias Fernandez (Sporting Lisbon) is Chile's best playmaker and has the responsibility of setting up strikers Humberto Suazo (Zaragoza) and Alexis Sanchez (Udinese).  Chile will give up its share of goals in this tournament (especially to Spain), but they will score more more than they will allow.  There is a good chance that the best goal of the tournament will come from the cleats of a Chilean. 

 3. Switzerland (0-2-1, 1 point): Compared to the other three teams in this group, Switzerland will look like they are moving in slow motion out on the pitch.  Their slow down style did work well during qualifying as the Swiss won their group with ease.  Since then though they have struggled losing back-to-back friendlies against Uruguay and Costa Rica.  For Switzerland to be successful in this tournament, goalkeeper Diego Benaglio (Wolfsburg) will have to be sensational.  They will see a lot of pressure on their defense and anything short of Benaglio's best won't be enough.  On offense, winger Tranquillo Barnetta (Bayer Leverkusen) is very creative in the midfield.  The problem is that Barnetta will be the focal point for The Swiss' opposition and without much other talent in the midfield, he could be neutralized.  In the end, Switzerland doesn't have enough firepower to be a threat to Spain and Chile. 

 4. Honduras (0-2-1, 1 point): Tiny Honduras makes its first appearance in the World Cup since 1982 and only the second in their history.  After a solid qualification finishing third in the CONACAF standings, Los Catrachos has struggled to score in friendlies.  They have been shut out in four of their last five matches including matches against lowly Azerbaijan and Venezuela.  Their offense will need to perform to have any chance to advance from this group.  That responsibility will fall on 36-year-old Carlos Pavon (Real Espana). He has proven over time to be a formidable striker in international play in the past and will need to keep that up for Honduras this summer.  Honduras won't be a pushover for their Group H opponents, but they won't have the depth or speed to hang in every match for 90 minutes.