The World Cup warm-up event the Confederations Cup starts
this weekend with critics still questioning the tournaments existence.
Some see event as an end of season waste of time especially
when you consider the majority of sides at the tournament have rescheduled
important World-Cup qualifiers to be here.
Despite the complaints, the 2009 tournament was an excellent
event which saw numerous shocks and some amazing matches.
After looking at the first group yesterday, here is a
preview of Group B, where there are two clear favourites to progress.
The sides
(odds of winning whole tournament next to name)
Spain – 7/4 with William Hill
Three successive major tournament victories is an incredible
return for the golden Spanish generation and unsurprisingly they are on the
favourites to win here.
Vincente Del Bosque, who has masterminded two of the three
tournament triumphs, hasn’t sprung my shocks in his squad selection. Apart from
the obvious qualities, the Spanish squad is also vastly experienced, with no less
than 11 of the 23 already owning over 50 caps for their nation.
Of all the sides at the Confederations Cup Spain are
certainly the best and they will want to make up for their 2009 semi-final
shock defeat to the USA.
The only worry I hold for Spain is in the centre forward
department and they could struggle for goals.
Fernando Torres and David Villa
aren’t the same strikers they once were, meaning Valencia’s Roberto Soldado
could feature more.
Gambling Tip: Back Spain
to win the whole thing.
Uruguay – 11/1 with
Bet Way
Despite struggling in South American World Cup qualification,
their team is still an excellent one and it was only two years ago they won the
Copa America.
Their 1-0 away win over Venezuela on Tuesday night has got
them back into the play-off spot and was also great preparation for this
tournament.
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| The duo of Suarez and Cavani have 45 international goals between them |
In Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez they easily have the best
centre forward partnership at the competition and should have no problems
scoring goals.
Gambling Tip: Back
them to at least make the semi-finals.
Tahiti – 5000/1 with
Sky Bet
I’d be lying if I said I knew a lot about Tahiti. I don’t.
All but one of their players plying their trade in their
domestic league and they won the 2012 Oceania Nations Cup to make this
tournament.
It’s hard to see the Oceania minnows claiming even a point
from their three games; however it will be a great experience for the squad.
Nigeria – 40/1 with
Bet Way
Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi appears to have one eye on the
2014 World Cup after picking a rather inexperienced squad for the
Confederations Cup.
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| Nigeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the African Cup of Nations final to be here |
In comparison to Spain’s total of 11 players with over 50
national caps, Nigeria only have one and that’s the goalkeeper. Incredibly 12
of the 23 players selected haven’t even reached double figures in caps.
Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emineke haven’t been selected and
without these two it’s hard to see the African Cup of Nations champions getting
out of the group.
Gambling tip: They
should beat Tahiti, but that’ll be it.
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