I think the South American teams will play better than people expect. Theyll be more used to the climate, theyll have a strong fanbase and i think theyll be extra motivated playing in their home continent.
Yeah, the South American teams are looking strong.
Brazil and Argentina are two of the favourites for the competition.
I think Colombia is a darkhorse candidate for the tournament. Shame that Falcao didn't make it but they have good alternatives up front so I think they still have a chance to pull something off. I love James Rodriguez. He is a fantastic player. I think he is the one who makes them tick. As long as he's there and healthy, I think they'll be very dangerous.
Chile have a very strong team. I think they are the next-best team in the tournament outside of possible winners (I'd put them just ahead of Belgium). I don't think they take enough of the chances they create to win the tournament. So I expect that lack of clinical finishing will prove costly at some point. And they were very unlucky to get drawn in the same group as two powerful footballing nations in Spain and Holland. With Strootman injured and Holland scrambling to change their tactics, I am warming to Chile's chances of knocking the Dutch out and making the knockout stages. Nobody is going to want to face this team in knockout rounds. Very difficult to play against. They are so close ... just a goal-scorer away from being good enough to win the World Cup. Very enjoyable to watch. Excited to see Valdivia.
I think Uruguay are too flawed to win the tourney but I expect them to be a very tough out. I'd put them on a similar tier as a teams like England. A bit behind Chile and Belgium. Their forwards are fantastic but their midfield is too weak and their defense is slow and aging. Still, they are intelligent team who knows their weaknesses and strengths and plays accordingly. That is more than I can say for England so I think I'd
ever-so-slightly favour Uruguay over England to come out of that group along with (hopefully!) Italy.
I don't know much about Ecuador but I saw them the other day and wasn't impressed by them. Struggled in qualifiers away from home too. So I expect them to struggle. Although with France missing Ribery, maybe they have a chance to pull a surprise and knock the French out. I think Switzerland should win that group with France & Ecuador fighting for 2nd place. France most talented but not reliable performers and quite young especially without Ribery's leadership.