World Cup 2014: Group by group guide

"World Cup 2014: Group by group guide"

GROUP A

BRAZIL have always had substance to go with their style, even if it has never got as much attention.

Their World Cup teams have a ruthless streak and you can certainly count on that with Luiz Felipe Scolari as manager.

They will thrive in the conditions because they use the ball so well, aiming for a 65 per cent possession rate that makes their opponents wilt.

Neymar should star, even if hasn't set the world on fire at Barcelona, and I like Chelsea's Oscar. They have quality in every position.

There is a good balance to their squad too, with a mix of ages and experience.

Mexico have been pretty tight through qualification, with a strong defence built on wise old pros like Rafael Márquez.

They have struggled for goals, though, and they get through managers like nobody's business – four since 2010.

Still, I fancy them to finish second ahead of Croatia, just.

But Croatia have talent and it will be interesting to see Ivica Olic in action in their front line after he was so close to joining Stoke at the start of the summer.

Cameroon are an intimidating physical team, but they won't have the firepower to make an impact.

GROUP B

MOST eyes will be on reigning champions Spain in Group B, but the Netherlands never lost a game in qualifying, scored loads and were solid in defence.

There is massive belief in their squad, and Louis van Gaal will be desperate to bow out with a bang before joining Manchester United, especially after how he ended his first spell in charge of Holland.

That time they didn't qualify for the 2002 World Cup, and he wants to lay that ghost to rest. He has some excellent players and, just as importantly, he commands their respect.

Spain still have the strongest squad in the competition, though, filled with players who are star names at the best clubs in Europe. They blood kids seamlessly too.

They can dictate the tempo of games better than anyone.

The big question for me is whether they can go through to the knock-out stages of four major tournaments without coming unstuck just once.

They've won the Euros twice either side of the World Cup. It would be an incredible achievement to make it through another intense knock-out stage.

Chile are strong going forward, and Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez is terrific, but they have too many holes at the other end.

It looks like Australia will be fodder in this group.

GROUP C

COLOMBIA, fourth in the World Rankings and second behind Argentina in qualifying, should breeze into the next round.

Monaco striker Falcao would be a big miss for any side, but that should not stunt their progress against Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan. They are fast, strong and will be good to watch.

Greece will set their stock on clean sheets, while Japan are just the opposite, with full-backs who like to surge forward.

But I reckon Ivory Coast will get second place, with a couple of world class players looking to make one final impact on the biggest stage.

Yaya Toure is a superstar in midfield who can control games, while Didier Drogba will have a massive influence in the changing room as well as in attack. They are strong players and strong characters who can carry their team on their shoulders.

Wilfried Bony has proven to be a great talent at Swansea, while Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote is useful too.

GROUP D

ENGLAND will do well to qualify ahead of Italy or Uruguay. If they lose either of their first two matches they will struggle, and even if they draw both it will be no walk in the park to beat Costa Rica. That might still not be enough.

Uruguay will do anything by any means to get through. They didn't do as well in qualifying, and generally rely on Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani to score more than whoever they come up against.

Those quick, counter-attacking players will suit the occasion, but they are not invincible.

Italy are still the tactical masters. I remember how they changed their shape three times to win the 2006 final against France, and that kind of initiative will hold them in good stead in South America.

Andrea Pirlo remains the main man and his ability to control the midfield and set the tempo will be so useful when the humidity soars.

England don't have the right balance. They are lacking those players at their peak aged between 24 and 28 which most teams are built around.

But who knows... Steve Gerrard has found his ideal role in a deeper midfield position and Wayne Rooney has the ability to drive the team on if he is handed a free role, although I don't think he'll be given that opportunity.

GROUP E

SWITZERLAND breezed through qualifying, although they did not have too many obstacles to overcome.

They have a relatively strong spine with a big Bundesliga influence, and a super manager in Ottmar Hitzfeld, so it was no wonder they beat Iceland to top their group.

But they will face a much sterner test in Brazil, so I reckon it will be France who come first here.

I really like Didier Deschamps. He won't tolerate any of the nonsense which has embarrassed the team at recent tournaments.

He didn't think Samir Nasri was the right kind of character so he left him at home. That's pretty ruthless, but he still has the quality in his squad to do very well, although injured Franck Ribery would have been his ace card.

Karim Benzema, Loic Remy and Paul Pogba are super players, and Mathieu Debuchy has impressed me as right-back with Newcastle.

Ecuador have a good balance to their squad. They shouldn't concede many goals and they're fast and powerful in the attacking third. That's a strong combination and I think they'll edge out the Swiss for second place.

Unfortunately for Stoke City midfielder Wilson Palacios, Honduras will probably be on the first plane home.

GROUP F

THIS is the group that will catch Stoke fans' eyes, with Asmir Begovic starring for Bosnia and Peter Odemwingie the leading light with Nigeria.

They will be fighting it out for second place because Argentina should have the top spot all but sewn up with their fantastic forwards.

Begovic is one of the best keepers in Europe, no doubt about it, and I'll be amazed if he is still at the Britannia Stadium next season.

He is definitely the best keeper Stoke have had since Gordon Banks. The way he commands his area is exceptional.

Edin Dzeko is a great goal scorer too. If they can get everything in between that pair ticking over then they should have a good World Cup.

Odemwingie has started to show his very top form again in the few months he's been at Stoke, and he's in a squad which has good players doing well in leagues across the world.

You should imagine it will be decided when those two teams meet in Cuiabá a week on Saturday – and I reckon Bosnia will come out on top. Iran make up the numbers.

GROUP G

I LOVE to watch Germany. You can learn so much from their approach. They control each third of the pitch, understand the game and understand tactics.

They are ruthless; brilliant individual players who combine even better as a team.

Philipp Lahm, Toni Kroos, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Miroslav Klose are fantastic, and this side can go a long way.

They will top the group, and I think Geoff Cameron's United States team will come second ahead of Portugal and Ghana.

Jurgen Klinsmann has taken the team to a new level over the past few years. He knows what's required and is prepared to make big calls, like leaving national hero Landon Donovan at home.

Cameron has looked vulnerable defending in wide areas with Stoke, and it might do him a favour if he features at centre-back. It will be a great experience and learning curve for him and the highlight of his career.

Portugal have one of the best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo, but you can't put all your eggs in one basket at this level. I think they'll be on the first plane home.

Ghana will be no pushovers but they will do very well to reach the knock-out stage.

GROUP H

FABIO Capello has made his mark on the Russian team, who only let in five goals in 10 games in qualifying, finishing above Portugal.

His side are disciplined and pragmatic, but struggle to score goals, relying heavily on play-maker Alan Dzagoev.

It's all for one and one for all, which spelt the end of Andrey Arshavin's spell at the heart of the side but should carry Russia into the next round.

A lot has been made of Belgium and their emerging golden generation.

They really do have a wealth of talent, starting with two fine goalkeepers in Thibaut Courtois, from Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool's Simon Mignolet.

Vincent Kompany, Jan Vertonghen, Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard should see them ease through to the next round without too many problems. Marc Wilmots will know what's required as manager, too.

In fact, if the tournament was in Europe you wonder how far they could go.

South Korea are still based on high energy levels and a strong team ethic, but that might not take them too far this time around.

And I'm afraid it will be the same story for Algeria, who will be captained by former Crewe Alex defender Madjid Bougherra.

Mike Pejic will return later in the tournament to assess the runners and riders who make it through to the knockout stages.