Group B

Group B-  Spain...Netherlands....Chile....Australia

  Defending Champion Spain has drawn Group B, which includes the other finalists from the last World Cup, but I am not convinced that either side is as dominate as they were last time around. Still, Spain are loaded with talent...relatively healthy, and since the majority of the squad play on just 3 of the top teams in Spain's La Liga, the players have a familiarity with each other of which other countries can only dream. I am picking them to get out of the group...after that we will see how age and injury leave the as to how far they will go.

The Dutch are a fun team to watch. They still have plenty of fire power and can score goals on even the best defensive teams in the world. They lost a few players from last cup but have brought in a number of young players, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Will the mix of young and old be enough to get out of the group and make a run? Their first match is against Spain, and if there is a loser in that match...that team will be in a struggle to make it out. I predict a tense first game and a boring draw, which often happens in the early games of the tournament. A draw will go a long way toward getting out of the group...a loss...and it might be a short visit for the Orange.

Chili is a team to watch. Playing in their home continent is a big advantage. They will be acclimated to the climate and the time zone. They have less pressure, which can allow a team to relax and play up to potential. The 2 biggest stars for Chile are midfielder Vidal, who plays in the Italian first division, and the forward Sanchez who plays for powerhouse Barcelona. They are as good as it gets in international football. If either Spain or the Netherlands falter, these are the players that will move Chile into the round of 16. If i had any guts...I would just pick them through now....but...

Australia is the 4th team in Group B. They have some decent players and they will be fit and work at a high rate, but they just do not have the talent to get out of such a deep group. The biggest soccer news in Australia, will be watching how the investigation goes to corruption in the awarding of the 2022 Cup to Qatar, and will it lead to a re-vote which could bring that tournament down under to Australia.