Steve Foster
Well-known member
Spain meet Holland on 13th June at 8pm for the inaugural game in Group B.
Here's the run down:
Spain:
Style & formation: Overrun and out-muscled by Brazil in the 2013 Confederations Cup final, Vicente del Bosque is likely to start with Xabi Alonso alongside Sergio Busquets as duel defensive midfield 'pivots'.
Xavi will dictate the tempo in front of them in a more advanced role than he plays for Barcelona.
But it's up front where things get interesting, Cesc Fabregas will continue as a 'false nine', but in Diego Costa they have a strikingly different Plan B to call upon. Guile comes from Andres Iniesta and Pedro, while Jordi Alba acts as an auxiliary winger.
Strengths: Spain's squad averages 60 caps per man and contains some of the most decorated players in football history, backed up by a bench containing the likes of Diego Costa, Santi Cazorla, Koke and David Silva.
Sergio Ramos leads a defence that hasn't let in a goal in 10 knockout matches at the Euros in 2008 and 2012, and the last World Cup.
Weaknesses: Brazil showed last summer that aggressively denying Spain time and space at the base of their midfield negates the stranglehold they can put on a match through having endless possession.
A long season has left key players carrying injuries, while has time caught up with Xavi's career?
Key player
Playing at centre-back in a team bristling with stars can result in getting overlooked but Spain would truly miss enterprising yet robust defender Sergio Ramos.
Capped 115 times at the age of 27, he has started 18 of their last 19 tournament matches and was ever-present during qualifying.
One to watch
Striker Diego Costa chose adopted nation Spain over Brazil, the country of his birth, and can expect a hostile reception from home fans.
The 25-year-old played twice for Brazil in March 2013 but was able to switch allegiance as neither were competitive fixtures.
The boss
Vicente Del Bosque is aiming to become only the second coach in history to win two World Cups. Add in the 2012 Euros and it makes Real Madrid's decision to sack him after two Champions League wins because they wanted "someone with more emphasis on tactics, strategy and physical preparation" seem a little foolish.
How they qualified
The holders emerged unbeaten over their eight matches, with back-to-back home draws against Finland and France a mere blip. They did not trail at any stage of qualification.
World Cup record
Spain finally shook off their bridesmaid tag in winning the last World Cup; their previous best had been fourth in Brazil in 1950.
Fifa ranking: 1
Possible starting XI
Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United).
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona).
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid).
NETHERLANDS
Prospects
As ever with the Dutch at a major tournament, it is difficult to predict how they will fare. The 2010 World Cup finalists went unbeaten in 2013, scoring goals for fun, but that achievement is less impressive when you look at who they faced.
Any team containing Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie will pose a threat but the loss of midfield colossus Kevin Strootman is a huge blow. His absence, plus an inexperienced defence, has prompted Manchester United's manager-in-waiting Louis van Gaal to switch to a unfamiliar 5-3-2 formation that has Dutch purists furrowing their brows.
Key player
Arjen Robben has given a series of coruscating displays for Bayern Munich over the last couple of seasons, including scoring the winner in the 2013 Champions League final. Let's not forget Robin van Persie, who scored 11 goals in nine qualifiers to overtake Patrick Kluivert as the Netherlands' all-time record scorer.
One to watch
A superb season has seen Daley Blind firmly emerge from the shadow of his father, legendary Ajax and Oranje player Danny.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer has overseen his transformation from a defender to a defensive midfield 'pivot' with great success, but Louis van Gaal is expected to play him as a left wing-back. Once booed by the Ajax crowd, they now revere a player who won the Dutch league's Player of the Year award this season.
The boss
New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has won league titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar. Appointed as Netherlands boss in 2012, he has Danny Blind and Patrick Kluivert, who won the Champions League at Ajax under him, on his coaching staff.
How they qualified
They won nine of their 10 matches and scored 34 goals, with only a 2-2 draw against Estonia denying them a perfect record. That said, few countries had easier opposition - none of their opponents were ranked in Fifa's top 30.
World Cup record
The Dutch suffered World Cup final heartbreak for a third time in 2010 when they lost to Spain, adding to the defeats their great teams suffered in 1974 and 1978. Brazil will be their 10th World Cup finals.
Fifa ranking: 15
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea)
Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, (all Feyenoord), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).
So who do you think will win this one?
Here's the run down:
Spain:
Style & formation: Overrun and out-muscled by Brazil in the 2013 Confederations Cup final, Vicente del Bosque is likely to start with Xabi Alonso alongside Sergio Busquets as duel defensive midfield 'pivots'.
Xavi will dictate the tempo in front of them in a more advanced role than he plays for Barcelona.
But it's up front where things get interesting, Cesc Fabregas will continue as a 'false nine', but in Diego Costa they have a strikingly different Plan B to call upon. Guile comes from Andres Iniesta and Pedro, while Jordi Alba acts as an auxiliary winger.
Strengths: Spain's squad averages 60 caps per man and contains some of the most decorated players in football history, backed up by a bench containing the likes of Diego Costa, Santi Cazorla, Koke and David Silva.
Sergio Ramos leads a defence that hasn't let in a goal in 10 knockout matches at the Euros in 2008 and 2012, and the last World Cup.
Weaknesses: Brazil showed last summer that aggressively denying Spain time and space at the base of their midfield negates the stranglehold they can put on a match through having endless possession.
A long season has left key players carrying injuries, while has time caught up with Xavi's career?
Key player
Playing at centre-back in a team bristling with stars can result in getting overlooked but Spain would truly miss enterprising yet robust defender Sergio Ramos.
Capped 115 times at the age of 27, he has started 18 of their last 19 tournament matches and was ever-present during qualifying.
One to watch
Striker Diego Costa chose adopted nation Spain over Brazil, the country of his birth, and can expect a hostile reception from home fans.
The 25-year-old played twice for Brazil in March 2013 but was able to switch allegiance as neither were competitive fixtures.
The boss
Vicente Del Bosque is aiming to become only the second coach in history to win two World Cups. Add in the 2012 Euros and it makes Real Madrid's decision to sack him after two Champions League wins because they wanted "someone with more emphasis on tactics, strategy and physical preparation" seem a little foolish.
How they qualified
The holders emerged unbeaten over their eight matches, with back-to-back home draws against Finland and France a mere blip. They did not trail at any stage of qualification.
World Cup record
Spain finally shook off their bridesmaid tag in winning the last World Cup; their previous best had been fourth in Brazil in 1950.
Fifa ranking: 1
Possible starting XI
Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United).
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona).
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich).
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid).
NETHERLANDS
Prospects
As ever with the Dutch at a major tournament, it is difficult to predict how they will fare. The 2010 World Cup finalists went unbeaten in 2013, scoring goals for fun, but that achievement is less impressive when you look at who they faced.
Any team containing Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie will pose a threat but the loss of midfield colossus Kevin Strootman is a huge blow. His absence, plus an inexperienced defence, has prompted Manchester United's manager-in-waiting Louis van Gaal to switch to a unfamiliar 5-3-2 formation that has Dutch purists furrowing their brows.
Key player
Arjen Robben has given a series of coruscating displays for Bayern Munich over the last couple of seasons, including scoring the winner in the 2013 Champions League final. Let's not forget Robin van Persie, who scored 11 goals in nine qualifiers to overtake Patrick Kluivert as the Netherlands' all-time record scorer.
One to watch
A superb season has seen Daley Blind firmly emerge from the shadow of his father, legendary Ajax and Oranje player Danny.
Ajax boss Frank de Boer has overseen his transformation from a defender to a defensive midfield 'pivot' with great success, but Louis van Gaal is expected to play him as a left wing-back. Once booed by the Ajax crowd, they now revere a player who won the Dutch league's Player of the Year award this season.
The boss
New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has won league titles with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AZ Alkmaar. Appointed as Netherlands boss in 2012, he has Danny Blind and Patrick Kluivert, who won the Champions League at Ajax under him, on his coaching staff.
How they qualified
They won nine of their 10 matches and scored 34 goals, with only a 2-2 draw against Estonia denying them a perfect record. That said, few countries had easier opposition - none of their opponents were ranked in Fifa's top 30.
World Cup record
The Dutch suffered World Cup final heartbreak for a third time in 2010 when they lost to Spain, adding to the defeats their great teams suffered in 1974 and 1978. Brazil will be their 10th World Cup finals.
Fifa ranking: 15
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jasper Cillessen (Ajax), Tim Krul (Newcastle), Michel Vorm (Swansea)
Defenders: Daley Blind, Joel Veltman (both Ajax), Stefan de Vrij, Daryl Janmaat, Terence Kongolo, Bruno Martins Indi, (all Feyenoord), Paul Verhaegh (FC Augsburg), Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa).
Midfielders: Jordy Clasie (Feyenoord), Jonathan de Guzman (Swansea), Nigel de Jong (AC Milan), Leroy Fer (Norwich), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Galatasaray), Georginio Wijnaldum (PSV Eindhoven).
Forwards: Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven), Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke 04), Dirk Kuyt (Fenerbahce), Jeremain Lens (Dynamo Kiev), Robin van Persie (Manchester United).
So who do you think will win this one?
