Although the toughest matchup to come out of the Group Draw for the 2014 World Cup is certainly the rematch of the 2010 Final, Spain vs Netherlands, the rest of their group is significantly less threatening: Chile and Australia.
After examination from pundits and analysts across the globe, it’s been declared that the toughest group to qualify from in 2014 will be Group G, in which Portugal, Germany, USA and Ghana will fight to make it to the round of 16.
Although the two European sides are clear favourites for the group, no side can be completely written off. Ghana excelled in the 2010 World Cup, and USA did better than ever before as well.
In terms of World Cup 2014 betting tips, the most likely to qualify are Germany (91%), followed by Portugal (40%), USA (39%) and Ghana (28%), according to stats from ESPN.
The first match in the group is going to be a hugely important one, as it sees the two European heavyweights locking horns. Germany is perceived as favourites, but that’s not to say that they can’t drop points in this match, putting them in a hole in a 3-match group: a strong challenge for any side.
Aside from the high level of competitiveness in the group, it’s also going to get a lot of attention thanks to the participation of Balon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo. He, however, can’t carry Portugal through to the round of 16 alone; he’ll be relying on the likes of Nani and Joao Moutinho to pull their weight so their opponents have more to focus on than simply slowing Ronaldo down.
As said before though, this group isn’t only difficult due to the European heavyweights Germany and Portugal. The USA side is being coached by Jurgen Klinsmann, who’s been at the helm for both the German national side and for the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Ghana, affectionately known as the Black Stars (after the black star on their nation’s flag) had one of the best World Cup tours of the nation’s history in 2010 when they reached the quarter-finals, and also came up against the USA, so there’s an added element of these two sides’ grudge that makes group G such a zinger. Aside from Ghana’s recent World Cup track record (having reached the knocked phase in the last two tournaments), they also have emerging stars in Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari, so anyone who would write off this side completely is clearly under-informed – or just biased.
Whoever makes it out of Group G alive, every match is certainly going to be one to keep your eyelids peeled back for.
