WC2014 - The Contenders

1. BRAZIL

The hosts Brazil are the favourites to lift the cup on the 14th of July specially after their comfortable Confederations cup win last year. Luiz Felipe Scolari (the world cup winning coach from 2002) has lifted the Brazilian team from the mess they were under his predecessor Mano Menezes and made turned them into and efficient and organised footballing powerhouse since his appointment, some 18 months ago.

The shape and identity of the side will be the same from their Confederations Cup lineup. Julio Cesar is in goal, protected by an extremely quick back four. Captain Thiago Silva and his soon to be PSG teammate David Luiz have a good understanding and are good on the ball too. The rampaging full backs, Dani Alves and Marcelo are probably the best in the competition and like to get forward on every opportunity. Ahead of them are two holders Luiz Gustavo, who is more defence minded and Paulinho, who is more of a box to box midfielder and makes clever runs into goal scoring positions. The star of side and biggest goal threat, Neymar will play on the left flank with Hulk on the Right and Oscar between the duo. Oscar provides the balance and creativity to the side as well as defends for Neymar or Hulk whenever one of them is in an advanced position. The role of the targetman Fred is to hold up the ball and create space for Neymar and Hulk, both of whom tend to cut inside and shoot.

Although, this is an entirely different squad from 2010 but the approach of the side remains the same. At the Confederations Cup last year, Brazil were ahead at half time and full time for five matches in a row. Set up to play on the counter, how Brazil will chase games after going behind against good opposition remains to be seen. Do they have a Plan B or will the story of four years ago be repeated (Brazil were leading the game against Holland, suddenly lost two goals and were unable to get back in the match).

Formation : 4-2-3-1
Key Player : Oscar
Super Subs : Willian, Hernanes, Bernard
Strengths : Home support and great team chemistry
Weaknesses : Too much pressure on the team to win the cup and lack of Plan B

2. SPAIN

Coach Vicente del Bosque has won World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 with this Spain team building upon their Euro 2008 success. Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona provide the core of the national team although both had an underwhelming campaign this season despite Real's tenth Champions League win. But the emergence of striker Diego Costa is a major bonus considering the rapid decline of regular forwards David Villa and Fernando Torres. 

Captain Iker Casillas should start in goal despite been the backup option at Real Madrid for nearly one and a half seasons now. Center back pairing of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique retain their places from Euro 2012. The left back should be Jordi Alba despite Cesar Azpilicueta's recent heroics for Chelsea in that position. The right back spot is up for grabs but Athletico Madrid's Juanfran appears in front of Azpilicueta to fill in. Spain's continued dominance of world football can be attributed to their riches of talent in the midfield department. No other nation in the world can boast of names like Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, David Silva, Juan Mata, Cesc Fabregas, Santi Carzola and the list goes on. The first four are sure starters with Xavi slightly advanced in the number 10 role and Iniesta tucked in on the left flank. Iniesta's narrowness is a key feature of their gameplan which allows possessional dominance in the center as well as space down the left flank for Alba to make his surging runs. The identity of the striker remains uncertain with Cesc Fabregas featuring against top sides in a false 9 role lately and the doubts over the fitness of Diego Costa. On the right flank David Silva should start ahead of Pedro.

Spain has continued their relentless short passing gameplan for years now. Their possessional dominance combined with a tight defence has has seen them ease through major competitions. Although they can be accused of over playing at times but Del Bosque generally makes clever substitution towards the later stages of matches to provide directness to the side against tiring defences. The coach values team spirit and shows great loyalty towards his players as indicated by his continued selection of a certain Chelsea forward.

Formation : 4-2-3-1 (lopsided)
Key Player : Iniesta
Super Subs : Pedro, Diego Costa (if not starters); Juan Mata
Strengths : Unprecedented ball dominance and relentless passing
Weaknesses : Other teams are accustomed with their gameplan now, less pressing compared to when at their peak

3. GERMANY

The German coach Joachim Low has been with this side for almost ten years now, first as assistant and then as coach after the the 2006 World Cup. He promoted the European U-21 Cup winning youngsters (Ozil, Khedira, Neuer, Boateng) to the senior team during the last world cup with great success and has a talented bunch of attacking options this time around too. But the loss of Marco Reus due to injury just last week was a major blow as he was in sensational goal scoring form for Borussia Dortmund in the second half of the campaign and considering that Low has selected just one traditional striker - 36 years old Miroslav Klose.

The starting XI consists of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, arguably the best in the world. Captain Philipp Lahm can play excellently at both right and left back but prefers to play on the right. So the left back slot will probably be filled by Jerome Boateng since the other option Durm is inexperienced at this level. Boateng can also play at center back also but Per Mertesacker and Matt Hummels will probably start in those positions. Bastian Schweinsteiger will surely start in central midfield if fully fit otherwise backup option Toni Kroos can fill his boots easily. Sami Khedira, who recovered from long term injury just in time to make the squad will partner Schweinsteiger in the middle and provide physicality to the side in addition to clever runs inside the penalty box. Further up, Ozil will start in his preferred number 10 role flanked by Thomas Muller on the right. The left midfield slot is up for grabs after Reus's injury with both Andre Schurrle and Lukas Podolski vying to fill in. Veteran Klose with 14 World Cup goals will be eyeing the striker's role but Low has recently preferred Mario Gotze in a false 9 role. Klose will probably feature against week opposition to bang in the goals and Gotze against stronger sides to help retain possession.

Germany played a pure counter attacking game throughout the 2010 World Cup but has developed a more possession based game since then. They remain dangerous on the break however and can topple any opposition on their day. But the fact that they have reached upto the semi final stage of last four major tournaments but failed to go all the way remains their major short coming as they tend to peak early and run out of steam in the crucial matches.

Formation : 4-2-3-1
Key Player : Gotze
Super Subs : Andre Schurrle, Toni Kroos (if not starters); Julian Draxler
Strengths : Pacey attackers and devastating counter attack
Weaknesses : Tends to under-perform in important fixtures