Spain / Dave Farrar / 18 May 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

There's plenty to like about Spain's squad, form, recent record and indeed their manager and provided they can overcome a tricky last sixteen opponent, they will take all the beating. Oh, and they're the current European Champions by the way.

"I think that they’re a bit short for the tournament, and that there are one or two real potential problems lying in wait in their draw, including a potential last 16 match against Portugal. If they get past that, though, I think that Italy’s elimination will give them an excellent route into the quarter final."

Spain are a frightening prospect and are certainly worthy of a place as one of the two favourites for the tournament. The stats tell you that they've won 33 of their last 34 competitive matches, and that they come into the World Cup as reigning European champions. They won all ten of their qualifying matches, and scored 28 goals while conceding only five.

Their potential is scary and now they have got rid of the label of underachievers, they will have the mindset that could make them world champions. Only one team, West Germany, has ever followed up a European Championship win with victory in the World Cup, so it's a hard ambition to achieve. It's also worth remembering that Spain did come unstuck here in South Africa at last year's Confederations Cup.

Possession is everything for them, and while the possible absence of Xavi from their excellent midfield is a worry, they have plenty of strength in depth. It's very hard to pick holes in the Spanish side, with Casillas a brilliant goalkeeper, the defence in front of him good enough, and the technical brilliance of the front six on view regularly at Barcelona, Valencia and Liverpool.

I think that they're a bit short for the tournament, and that there are one or two real potential problems lying in wait in their draw, including a potential last 16 match against Portugal. If they get past that, though, I think that Italy's elimination will give them an excellent route into the quarter final.

In fact, the best way of making money from Spain, as well as keeping a close eye on over 2.5 goals prices in their games, may be to lay them to go out in the quarter final. I can't see them losing to any of their potential opponents at that stage.

COACH

Vicente Del Bosque

I must admit that I find Spain a lot easier to love now that Del Bosque, rather than the hateful Luis Aragones, is in charge. He may look like a lost uncle at a wedding, but he is an excellent coach and the perfect man to deal with a team that needs fine tuning, rather than being told what to do at every turn. Del Bosque's time at Real Madrid showed that he is an extremely safe pair of hands, and Spain won't fail because of the man in charge.

Key Players

David Villa

Trying to pick out three key players from this excellent squad is very difficult, but Villa's name has to be near the top of the list. His talent as an out-and-out finisher is almost unparalleled, and with Premier League fans in England excited by what Fernando Torres has achieved, I can't imagine how many goals Villa might get were he to move, as is mooted, to Manchester United. Villa is sturdier than Torres, and less prone to injury, so he's always the safer bet for the Top Goalscorer market and indeed in the running to finish as top Spanish scorer.

Gerard Pique

The blossoming of the former Manchester United man gives Spain extra strength going into the World Cup. Barcelona always carried that tag of defensive shakiness to go along with their brilliance going forward, but Pique has stopped all of that talk. He has been nearly foot perfect this season, and gives the team a little extra with his ability to carry the ball forward. He also has a habit of scoring important goals, and will certainly be a live contender in the "To Score" markets, particularly against teams which don't defend set pieces well.

David Silva

Silva's name always seems to be the one that is brought up when Premier League fans question the omission of Cesc Fabregas from the Spanish starting eleven. I can only presume that this is because he doesn't play for Barcelona and hasn't played in England. Because for all of their forward power and midfield brilliance, he is the man that balances the team down the left hand side, a potentially weak area for Spain. Consistently excellent for Valencia, and a very good finisher too.

Recommended Bet:

Lay Spain to go out in the quarter finals @ [5.0]

Tags: Andres Iniesta, Spain players, Spain squad, Spain World Cup odds, Spain would cup team, Vicente Del Bosque, Xavi