Spain

European Champions Spain are big favourites to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and it is unsurprising considering the incredible ability possessed by the side and the manner of their qualification, winning all of their games scoring 28 goals and only letting in 5 is nothing short of sensational.

Euro 2008's top scorer David Villa will be looking to get amongst the goals again alongside Liverpool's Fernando Torres while the Barcelona duo of Xavi and Andres Iniesta will be wreaking havoc behind them.

Defensively, Spain are a very tough side to get past too with Iker Casillas in goal and a defence including Sergio Ramos and Carlos Puyol it will take something special to beat them.

A change of coach has seen Vicente Del Bosque replace Euro 2008 winner Luis Aragones and the new coach certainly has a tough act to follow but with an inherited squad of players so well in tune with each other Del Bosque could lead them to World Cup glory.

Star Man – Fernando Torres

Liverpool striker Torres is one of the best strikers in the world and going into his second World Cup is more mature player than ever, having learnt his trade as a youngster for Atletico Madrid he is now mastering the arts in front of the kop at Anfield.

His breathtaking vision and all-round goal scoring ability means he, alongside partner in crime David Villa will be the most feared strikeforce in South Africa and after winning the Euro 2008 tournament

Vincente Del Bosque

The moustachioed former Real Madrid boss took over the reigns as Spanish coach after the controversial Luis Aragones quit following their triumph in Euro 2008.

It is now Del Bosque’s task to guide the country to a World Cup win in South Africa with what is undoubtedly one of the most talented squads ever.

With a midfield boasting Xavi and Iniesta and a strike force of David Villa and Fernando Torres, Del Bosque has no excuses for not getting to at least the sem-finals this year.

The man who once coached a Real Madrid side to the peak of their powers in the early part of the last decade will, however, have to be wary of over confidence and Spain’s perennial ability to underachieve.

One to Watch – Juan Manuel Mata

The young Valencia left winger will be challenging for a starting spot for Spain in South Africa and with an international record at 21 of 3 goals in 7 games it would be no surprise to see him running at the worlds best right backs.

After leaving Real Madrid as a youngster Mata set out to prove himself and signed for Valencia. Here has bloomed into a young star.

In the 2008/2009 season he finished second only to Spain international team mate Xavi in the assist charts. He also netted 11 times, which at 21 shows the ability this youngster has.


Odds to win - 4/1

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