World Cup 2018: A comprehensive look at Group B

Spain

Spain come into the tournament as one of the favourites

After a roller-coaster of World Cup campaigns in which Spain went from worthy champions to getting knocked out in the first round in Brazil, Spain come back to Russia as favourites once more, and with all the quality to back it up.

Like Portugal, Spain qualified as top of their group and went one step further - 28 points out of a possible 30. Their 3-0 destruction of Italy during the qualifiers is what many consider the start of the demise of Italy's World Cup dreams. Just how good should one be to beat the morale out of the Italians?

Coach: Julen Lopetegui

One of the few players with the distinction of playing for both Barcelona and Real Madrid, Lopetegui was part of Spain's 1994 WC squad as the goalkeeper. He has spent most of his coaching career in Spain (except with Porto) and was handed the job after Vincent Del Bosque.

He is not new to the national team, having coached Spain's U-19 and U-21 sides to the European Championship titles in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

Spain's squad for the World Cup

With David de Gea in goal, Spain are set for the next few World Cups in the goalkeeping department. The Manchester United shot-stopper might not be the same beast he is for the club, as Spain's playing style requires a keeper who is very good with the feet.

If there is one downside to De Gea's game, it has to be his distribution with the feet. In spite of all that, De Gea is one of the best keepers in the game and there is no question of leaving him out.

The defence is also one of the most solid in the tournament - Jordi Alba, Ramos, Pique and Carvajal forming a back 4 as good going forward as it is defending. Spain's defence is so stacked that Azpilicueta will not be part of their starting XI and Sergi Roberto and Marc Bartra do not even get a call-up. Ridiculous, really.

Lopetegui has shown a liking for a three-man midfield - comprising of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Thiago forming a formidable 3. Busquets will serve as the holding midfielder, Iniesta as the Regista and Thiago with a freedom to roam.

Koke, Saul, Asensio and Lucas Vazquez will have to serve it out from the bench and come in as super-subs. Their industriousness will also be useful as Iniesta might not be able to play the full 90 in every game, and especially when the games get to extra-time.

The attacking trio will include Diego Costa, David Silva in a more forward role and Isco. Diego Costa's time in Brazil was not so happy, but in four years, he is a far matured (well, not really) player and far more feisty than before.

David Silva is coming on the back of one of his best seasons with Manchester City and is one of the most overlooked players in the tournament. Isco with the national side is one of the best players in the world, even better than his exploits at Real Madrid.

The team is one of the strongest and will enter the tournament as Tier-1 favourites.

Isco's freedom with the ball at his feet makes him an even better player than at Real Madrid

Player to watch out for: Isco

Honestly, I cannot talk enough about Isco. An average season with Madrid might make it look like Isco is not very good, but Spain play exactly to his strengths. As a team too, they put no pressure on him as every single one of them is a match-winner on their own.

A free-roaming Isco in the national team is a sight to behold, and we might truly witness a breakout tournament for the Spaniard.