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World Cup 2014 will begin from 12th June, 2014 (Thursday) and will end on 13th July, 2014 (Sunday). Brazil will be hosting this year's World Cup.As World Cup 2014 will begin in June, here is a brief look on 5 top contenders who can win this year's prestigious trophy:
#1 Spain
After winning World Cup 2010 in South Africa, current world champions Spain are the most possible contenders of winning this year's World Cup in Brazil. With the likes of David Villa, David Silva, captain Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez and others, it is nearly impossible to defeat this team. With their 'tiki-taka', they have succeeded in making the whole world crazy for themselves. Thanks to Vicente Del Bosque's strategies and tactics due to which La Roja are the strongest team in the world.
They have been in great form for several years. Their performance in recent friendlies show how much they have developed, especially after winning the World Cup. Since then, winning came in their blood.
Since September 2013, when they defeated Finland 0-2 in WC qualifier, their motive was well known to everyone, that they will surely do anything to lift World Cup for the consecutive second time. They went on to win their every qualifier match, against Belarus 2-1, in which Xavi and Negredo were on scoresheet for the hosts. They ended their qualifier campaign with another 2-0 win over Georgia which saw them finishing on top of the table, thanks to Alvaro Negredo and Juan Mata's fantastic goals.
I predict they will reach the finals and maybe will win the trophy too.
#2 Brazil
Luis Filipe Scolari's men, after winning last year's Confederations Cup when they defeated world champions Spain 3-0, are on the second position for the title race. The hosts are in their best form currently and it seems that the hosts will give their best to win the trophy since 2002. Their talisman Neymar, who plays for FC Barcelona, is in good shape and has the capability to lead the team. Other star players include Ricardo Kaka, Ronaldinho, Fred, Leiva Lucas, Marcelo, Dani Alves, Julio Cesar and many more. After the Confederations Cup, they have got some wonderful comments from the fans, coaches and analysts too. They have won their every friendly match and with a good margin, with Neymar, Oscar, Fred and Paulinho being their main strength.
The hosts have won all their friendlies, except one against Switzerland which they lost 1-0. They have won rest all their matches in the qualifiers which is enough to tell that they are no less than any other country and have what it takes to win the cup.
They are expected to give tough competition to their opponents, especially Spain, whom they have defeated 3-0 in the Confederations Cup. It is likely that they will reach the finals.
#3 Germany
Germany stands at third place in the race for the World Cup trophy. With the likes of Manuel Neuer, Philip Lahm, Mats Hummels, Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Mario Gotze, Mario Gomez, Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and many more, Joachim Low's men are becoming a stronger side in past few years with their superb performance . Their performance in Euro Cup 2012 was a pleasure to watch as they were defeated only in the semi final to Italy when they were defeated 1-2 by Cesare Prandelli's men. Their performance in Euro Cup 2012 was not unnoticed in which they reached till semi-finals.
They have remained unbeaten in their all qualifying fixtures with almost half of the squad on the scoresheet. From attack to defence and goalkeeping too, Germany have got best of the players.
I think they will reach till the semi finals in the World Cup.
#4 Italy
At the fourth place are 2006 World Cup Champions Italy. This team has shown great performances in the past few years but recently their form has gone down. With the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli, Riccardo Montolivo, Stephan El Shaarawy and many more, there can be some silver lining for Cesare Prandelli's men in their fight for regaining the trophy.
In qualifiers, Italy have not won any of their matches, beginning with a 1-2 defeat by Argentina. It can be a bit difficult for Italy in the World Cup if they keep on continuing their poor form of 'qualifiers'. But, with a good line-up for Cesare Prandelli's side, they can give competition to other teams participating in the competition.
I predict they have the capability to reach till quarter-finals.
#5 Argentina
Under the captaincy of Barcelona star Lionel Messi, Argentina have improved themselves and deserve to be in the title race this time. Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis and many other big names include in this team. Under the management of Alejandro Sabella, this team have shown some wonderful performances recently. Their attack is dangerous and mainly with their attacking power only, they can give tough competition to other teams participating in the World Cup.
They have shown some extraordinary performances in their friendlies and qualifiers. With Messi, Higuain and Di Maria mainly in for attack, Argentina can do a lot in this World Cup.
Argentina started their qualifier campaign with a 1-2 win over Italy which provided them with a boost to keep their form on for the rest of the matches. They won against every team except Uruguay who defeated Messi and Co. 3-2.
I predict they will reach till the knockout stage of the competition.
