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World Cup 2010: Know Your Rivals - Group H Predictions
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Dec 28, 2009 10:19:00 PM
Welcome to Goal.com - Know Your Rivals for the World Cup 2010!
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
Stay on Goal.com for all the World Cup build-up from right across the world, starting with predictions of all eight groups from the local experts...
GROUP H
How do the experts of Group H think that the group will go? Here we ask our local experts for their thoughts on their teams' three games, in order of play.
Spain
With Ivar Matusevich
Spain 2-1 Switzerland
Any team with Ottmar Hitzfeld on the bench must have respect from us. They often try to attack, but they will be dangerous waiting for the counter as well. Anyway, we shouldn't have many problems as it is the first match and we can't commit a single mistake. Players to follow: Eren Derdiyok (striker) and Tranquilo Barnetta (midfield) from Leverkusen.
Spain 1-0 Honduras
We are not expecting that many problems against them, but if we are not 100 percent we can fear any rival in WC 2010. Why? Because you don't have any chances for revenge in a short competition. They are a strong physical team and they have nothing to lose. Players to follow: Milton Palacios (midfield Tottenham), Pavón (striker and WCQ hero) and Maynor Figueroa (defender from Wigan).
Spain 3-1 Chile
A great team at the moment and we must be careful with them. They like to attack without rest. They are always moving, but they do not know how to slow the game down and play within the rhythm of a match. Their coach Marcelo Bielsa never found the kind of player who can take the ball and control the play. Hand in hand, they will commit suicide against Spain. Players and coach to follow: Suazo (Monterrey), Alexis Sánchez (Udinese) and Marcelo Bielsa.
Chile
With Juan Ignacio
Chile 2-0 Honduras
Honduras is a rival that Chile must defeat without problems. The 'Catrachos', they can damage us with his physical and aerial game, but they will have to contend with our constant pressure for 90 minutes. Any prediction being based on the history of Chile in Cup World Cup, doesn't serve. Chile is a "new" team, which doesn't have psychological problems as in the past, where the pressure was killing us on having faced teams supposedly of an inferior level. I bet on a clear victory of at least two goals.
Chile 1-1 Switzerland
A very complicated rival. We faced them in the first match of Bielsa's tenure. They defeated us 2-1 in Austria. Switzerland has the advantage of knowing Chile, but we do not know how they play with Hitzfeld as their coach. I believe that the match will be very tight, with Chile dominating the match, but paying heavily through the counter of Switzerland. It is the key match of the Group H. A draw or a victory for Chile.
Chile 1-2 Spain
Spain is the big favorite here. Facing us in the last match, it can be beneficial if we are already qualified and only need to define the winner of the Group H. However, if we come with the need to obtain points, it will be very complicated to reach the Round of 16. Spain beat us 3-0 already in Vilarreal, but in that match, Alexis Sánchez was missing, I believe that could make the difference for Chile, but it may not be enough.
Honduras
With Marco Aguilar
Honduras 2-2 Chile
Chile were very successful in South American qualifying, finishing only behind the rampant Brazil by a single point. They are an attacking side and we must be wary. Neither team is bristling with huge names like Spain is, but have players that can make a difference. In the press, Chile is a slight favourite, but a result is certainly not out of the question for Honduras.
Honduras 0-2 Spain
There should be no illusions because Spain is European champion and favorite to win the group. In Honduras there is talk of a surprise against Spain as in the 1982 World Cup, where we got a draw, but this time it's more complex. Those selected by Reinaldo Rueda will utilise a very defensive approach and see if they are able to achieve at least one point, though the odds are against it.
Honduras 1-0 Switzerland
Honduras knows little about Switzerland and that complicates things, there are probably people working on gathering information, but overall there is a certain degree of ignorance. Many think that this match would be decisive in the standings, although it should be clear that Switzerland are ranked higher in and they play football in Europe, a much tougher area than CONCACAF. Nonetheless, I feel that Honduras can be a Cinderella story and surprise.
Switzerland
With Stefan Bokor
Switzerland 1-3 Spain
To beat the actual number one side in the world is very difficult and might seem only like a dream for a national team like Switzerland. With players like Fernando Torres, Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas, Puyol and other superstars - Spain is a dream team. Their qualification was relatively easy and they went 35 matches without defeat, before losing in the Confederations Cup against USA - that’s a incredible run. Spain is the favourite in this match.
Switzerland 2-1 Chile
The great era with Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas is history. The last World Cup with Chile was France '98. In the years 2002 and 2006, Chile hasn't qualified for the World Cup, and now they will be in South Africa in 2010. Chile has some stars in the team like Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez, but they aren’t unbeatable. It could be an interesting match.
Switzerland 3-0 Honduras
Only one time was Honduras guests at a World Cup. For many people Honduras is a nobody, but they have some talents like David Suazo from Inter Milan or Wilson Palacios. For Carlos Pavon, who was the best scorer in the qualifying matches, these will be the last big moments in his career. Switzerland has never played against Honduras, but it's clear, that Switzerland is a big favorite in this match.
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
Stay on Goal.com for all the World Cup build-up from right across the world, starting with predictions of all eight groups from the local experts...
GROUP H
How do the experts of Group H think that the group will go? Here we ask our local experts for their thoughts on their teams' three games, in order of play.
Spain
With Ivar Matusevich
Spain 2-1 Switzerland
Any team with Ottmar Hitzfeld on the bench must have respect from us. They often try to attack, but they will be dangerous waiting for the counter as well. Anyway, we shouldn't have many problems as it is the first match and we can't commit a single mistake. Players to follow: Eren Derdiyok (striker) and Tranquilo Barnetta (midfield) from Leverkusen.
Spain 1-0 Honduras
We are not expecting that many problems against them, but if we are not 100 percent we can fear any rival in WC 2010. Why? Because you don't have any chances for revenge in a short competition. They are a strong physical team and they have nothing to lose. Players to follow: Milton Palacios (midfield Tottenham), Pavón (striker and WCQ hero) and Maynor Figueroa (defender from Wigan).
Spain 3-1 Chile
A great team at the moment and we must be careful with them. They like to attack without rest. They are always moving, but they do not know how to slow the game down and play within the rhythm of a match. Their coach Marcelo Bielsa never found the kind of player who can take the ball and control the play. Hand in hand, they will commit suicide against Spain. Players and coach to follow: Suazo (Monterrey), Alexis Sánchez (Udinese) and Marcelo Bielsa.
Chile
With Juan Ignacio
Chile 2-0 Honduras
Honduras is a rival that Chile must defeat without problems. The 'Catrachos', they can damage us with his physical and aerial game, but they will have to contend with our constant pressure for 90 minutes. Any prediction being based on the history of Chile in Cup World Cup, doesn't serve. Chile is a "new" team, which doesn't have psychological problems as in the past, where the pressure was killing us on having faced teams supposedly of an inferior level. I bet on a clear victory of at least two goals.
Chile 1-1 Switzerland
A very complicated rival. We faced them in the first match of Bielsa's tenure. They defeated us 2-1 in Austria. Switzerland has the advantage of knowing Chile, but we do not know how they play with Hitzfeld as their coach. I believe that the match will be very tight, with Chile dominating the match, but paying heavily through the counter of Switzerland. It is the key match of the Group H. A draw or a victory for Chile.
Chile 1-2 Spain
Spain is the big favorite here. Facing us in the last match, it can be beneficial if we are already qualified and only need to define the winner of the Group H. However, if we come with the need to obtain points, it will be very complicated to reach the Round of 16. Spain beat us 3-0 already in Vilarreal, but in that match, Alexis Sánchez was missing, I believe that could make the difference for Chile, but it may not be enough.
Honduras
With Marco Aguilar
Honduras 2-2 Chile
Chile were very successful in South American qualifying, finishing only behind the rampant Brazil by a single point. They are an attacking side and we must be wary. Neither team is bristling with huge names like Spain is, but have players that can make a difference. In the press, Chile is a slight favourite, but a result is certainly not out of the question for Honduras.
Honduras 0-2 Spain
There should be no illusions because Spain is European champion and favorite to win the group. In Honduras there is talk of a surprise against Spain as in the 1982 World Cup, where we got a draw, but this time it's more complex. Those selected by Reinaldo Rueda will utilise a very defensive approach and see if they are able to achieve at least one point, though the odds are against it.
Honduras 1-0 Switzerland
Honduras knows little about Switzerland and that complicates things, there are probably people working on gathering information, but overall there is a certain degree of ignorance. Many think that this match would be decisive in the standings, although it should be clear that Switzerland are ranked higher in and they play football in Europe, a much tougher area than CONCACAF. Nonetheless, I feel that Honduras can be a Cinderella story and surprise.
Switzerland
With Stefan Bokor
Switzerland 1-3 Spain
To beat the actual number one side in the world is very difficult and might seem only like a dream for a national team like Switzerland. With players like Fernando Torres, Iniesta, Xavi, Casillas, Puyol and other superstars - Spain is a dream team. Their qualification was relatively easy and they went 35 matches without defeat, before losing in the Confederations Cup against USA - that’s a incredible run. Spain is the favourite in this match.
Switzerland 2-1 Chile
The great era with Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas is history. The last World Cup with Chile was France '98. In the years 2002 and 2006, Chile hasn't qualified for the World Cup, and now they will be in South Africa in 2010. Chile has some stars in the team like Humberto Suazo and Alexis Sanchez, but they aren’t unbeatable. It could be an interesting match.
Switzerland 3-0 Honduras
Only one time was Honduras guests at a World Cup. For many people Honduras is a nobody, but they have some talents like David Suazo from Inter Milan or Wilson Palacios. For Carlos Pavon, who was the best scorer in the qualifying matches, these will be the last big moments in his career. Switzerland has never played against Honduras, but it's clear, that Switzerland is a big favorite in this match.
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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