Group A Confederations Cup preview

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.

Brazil came from two goals down to beat the US in the 09 final

Of the groups, the first one is the hardest to call. If you are unsure who’ll progress from the group here is a few gambling tips including a shock semi-finalists pick.

The sides

Brazil

Brazil have only won twice this calendar year, failing to overcome England on a couple of occasions, means they hardly go into the tournament in the best of form.

Despite their questionable form, the bookies never overlook Brazil and the hosts are favourites to win the Confederations Cup for a third consecutive year.

Luis Felipe Scolari has selected a young squad, excluding previous Ballon D’Or winners in the form of Ronaldinho and Kaka. The former Chelsea manager clearly has more than one eye on next year’s World Cup as he looks to bled some of those tipped to excel come 2014.

Gambling tips: Back Brazil to make the final.

Japan

Japan became the first nation to qualify for the World Cup following a 1-1 draw at home to Australia last week.

They have taken a technically sound squad with them to Brazil, which includes no less than eight players from the Bundesliga. Their key players in the form of Shinji Kagawa and Keisuke Honda have both been selected and their hopes of getting out of a daunting group could rest on these two creative players.

If Kagawa can fire then Japan shock a few at the tournament

Japan can be found as long as 50/1 to win the tournament which is surprisingly long. I don’t they Alberto Zaccheroni’s side have a decent chance of getting out of the group, which at  odds of 8/1 has real value.

Gambling tips: If Japan can get four points from Mexico and Italy I think they’ll get out of the group. Semi-finalists.

Mexico

Mexico have not had the best of times lately and their place at the 2014 World Cup is far from assured.

The majority of the 23 selected for the tournament are home-based players and they’ve struggled to score goals of late, despite Javier Hernandez’s best efforts. Valencia’s Andres Guardado is their best player and he’ll have to be excellent to give them a chance.

I think they are the worse of the four sides in the group and I’m baffled as to why they are as short as 12/1 to win the whole thing.

Gambling tip: Don’t expect them to qualify from the group. 

Italy

Italy were embarrassed in a warm-up friendly with Haiti as the minnows came from behind to earn an amazing 2-2 draw.

While the majority of the infamous Italian old guard has gone, the class of Juventus duo Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon remain. Their lack of a real world-class striker has caused them problems for some time and it’s evident at this tournament. Although Mario Balotelli has all the ingredients to be exactly what Italy requires, their back-ups aren’t good enough.

Their game against Japan will be the big one for me and if they fail to win they may have to get something against Brazil.

Gambling tip: I feel they will narrowly be edged out of qualification and finish third. 

United second again!

Having missed out on the title in such dramatic circumstances last year, Manchester United will be more determined than ever to win the Barclays Premier League. Summer additions of Nick Powell, Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie mean that Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be there or there abouts again.

The arrival of Van Persie is a gamble from Sir Alex. Despite topping the goal scoring charts last year, the Dutchman has a poor injury record, and a £24million price tag for a player who’ll turn 30 next year is a lot. United go into the season with five strikers who can realistically claim a stake for a regular starting spot, meaning goals shouldn’t be a problem.

The return of Paul Scholes last season was as brilliant as it was desperate. The real lack of a creative midfielder was evident against Everton in their opener as they failed to cut open Everton as often as they’d like. Kagawa looked sharp and was a rare positive in the defeat at Goodison; however whether he’ll play centre midfield is unknown.

Despite deploying Michael Carrick there, United don’t need another centre half, as not every week you’ll have four players missing in one position. Ironically the one centre back who wasn’t injured was Nemanja Vidic who missed the majority of last season with knee ligament damage. The Serbian’s return is huge, and if he can avoid injury this year then United won’t be too far away from the title. It’s safe to say if United had Vidic last season then they would’ve conceded fewer goals, and probably wouldn’t have let a two goal lead slip vs. Everton.

Key player- David De Gea. The first six months for De Gea in a United jersey wasn’t ideal, with his inability to deal with crosses and the rough and ready nature of the Premier League, targeted by Premier League clubs. His shot stopping ability is up there with the very best, and without him Everton probably would’ve scored more than the one they did, and surprisingly dealt well with the set pieces that he came for. De Gea appears to have a turned a corner and his confidence is back, and looks set to have a good year.

Prediction- 2^nd A good Summer transfer window means United will certainly challenge for the title; however I feel they’ll just be edged out by their ‘noisy neighbours’ once again. 

View from a fan - Perry Blanchette

What would be an ideal season?

Winning the title back whilst improving heavily in Europe.

What would be a nightmare season?

Finishing third, something that hasn't happened often under Sir Alex, and a second successive season trophyless.

Do you have the right manager at the club?

Yes, Sir Alex is a legend at the club and when he goes he'll take some replacing.

Which Premier League player would you sign given the chance?

Joe Hart, he's a quality goal keeper with a number of great years ahead of him and he has more reliability then De Gea. Would also like Vincent Kompany.

Is it time United started to shift Rio Ferdinand out of the side?

No, Rio is still a quality defender with lots of experience. He still has two more years in him at the top level.

Would you rather win the Champions League or win back the Premier League?

Premier League title. I don't want City to win it again.