Team Preview:
Ecuador: La Tri (not to be confused with El Tri-Mexico) are an interesting team heading in to the World Cup this summer. They are great in attack, with speed and directness that can trouble any team. Ecuador is much more suspect in defense and will have trouble keeping teams off of the score sheet. Ecuadorian striker Chucho Benitez died last summer of a sudden heart attack. La Tri will look to play well to honor him. Ecuador's best player is winger Antonoio Valencia. Valencia can play anywhere on the right and has the speed to trouble any left back. Unlike many star wingers, Valencia prefers to stay wide and swing in crosses rather than cut in and shoot. Valencia will be looking to supply strikers Enner Valencia, Felipe Caicedo, and winger Jefferson Montero with quality looks that they can finish. Montero is a good compliment to Valencia, as he can play with both feet and loves to cut in from the left to create his chances. Ecuador is the weakest of the South American sides, but if they can sure up their defense, La Tri could make it to the knockout stage.
France: Les Bleus lost their best player when Ribéry was lost for the World Cup with a back injury. As a result, France may substitute a player like Antoine Griezmann into the side into their expected 4-3-3 or change their formation entirely to account for the loss of Ribéry. Much of the pressure is now on Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema. Benzema is powerful in the air and has smooth finishing in the box that should make him a force to be reckoned with in Brazil. France's midfield trio of Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, and Blaise Matuidi is arguably one of the best in the tournament. Matuidi is the defensive powerhouse and Cabaye is more of the creator. The 21 year-old Pogba is one of the most exciting young players in the world. Always willing to contribute on the defensive end, Pogba's best attribute might be his powerful right foot. France will be looking to rebound for their epic collapse in 2010 and redeem themselves by making it to the later stages of the knockout rounds.
Honduras: Honduras enter the tournament as one of the biggest long shots for success. Los Catrachos have a number of skilled athletes, but could lack the skill needed to advance to the next round. Midfielders Wilson Palacios and Roger Espinoza are the best players for La H. Palacios will likely sit in front of the back four and use his strength and defensive abilities to win the ball and start the attack for his team mates. Espinoza is more of an attacking midfielder who can play through the center or on the left. Maynor Figueroa and Víctor Bernárdez form a physical pair in the center of defense, but could be vulnerable to aerial attacks through the like of France and Ecuador. Honduras may be capable of getting of notching a point or two, but will need a bit of luck to advance to the knockout stage.
Switzerland: Die Nati are an interesting team ahead of this summer's tournament. They'll be looking to prove their worth after failing to qualify for Euro 2012. Switzerland have a mix of exciting young players and more reliable veterans that could make them a surprised team. A number of the players from the 2009 U17 World Cup champions are now on the team which should give the Swiss a boost. Xerdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka have awesome names and pair together well, leading the attack from midfield. The key for the team is likely Josip Drmić. The striker finished third in Germany's Bundesliga with 17 goals and Switzerland will need him to continue his scoring if they're going to go far in the tournament. Left back Ricardo Rodriguez provides some attacking flair to what is otherwise a strong defensive back line. (Bonus points for Rodriguez is he lets his long hair flow while flying down the wing.) If Switzerland are able to get strong contributions from their young attackers they should be able to escape Group E.
Players to watch:
The Star:
The title for best player in this group is wide open after Ribéry's injury. A number of players from France and Switzerland can lay claim to the title but it remains to be seen which player will grab it. Cabaye, Pogba, and Benzema are all great players for France while Shaqiri and defensive midfielder Gökhan Inler are option for Switzerland.
The One to watch: Paul Pogba
Pogba has been a star for Juventus over the last two years after not getting a fair shake at Manchester United. Pogba is a true box-to-box midfielder who can do it all. He is strong in his tackles and in air, has good defensive awareness, and capable of linking up play with great passes. His best asset might be his powerful shots that can change the landscape of any match should France find it difficult to break down a more defensive side. According to WhoScored.Com, Pogba has no significant weaknesses in his game and should be one of the stars this summer in Brazil.
The Question Mark: Josip Drmić and Xerdan Shaqiri (tie)
Drmić and Shaqiri are the two key players for a Swiss team that hopes to do well at the World Cup. Shaqiri has a small hamstring problem that could limit his effectiveness, but if he is able to find his health he can drive the attack forward with his passing or with a shot from his strong left foot. Drmić will be looking to provide the finishing touches for his teammates, however he's only made seven appearances for the national squad. If both players can live up to their potential in their first international tournaments, then Switzerland should be a tough out for any team.
My Prediction:
1. France
2. Switzerland
3. Ecuador
4. Honduras
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