Spain won everything that could be won over the last decade, which makes it very difficult for coach Vincent Del Bosque to keep players motivated. Defending their title in Brazil won't be easy and the fact that bookmakers are crediting them with the fourth chance speak for itself. In the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Brazil, the odds have been bumped and those who back Spain now to win the World Cup 2014 will enjoy odd of 8 to1.
Group stage and event prospects
One of the thing that makes Spain special at big events is that they are a constant team who tends to cruise towards victory rather than making leaps. The group stage is unlikely to cause them any problems, despite the fact that they will compete against the Netherlands, Chile and Australia. The Europeans are the most dangerous opponents at this stage, with the likes of Robben and Van Persie, but Chile are not to be trifled with either. Australia seems doomed to finish last and even collecting points will be hard for them.
Bet365 offers the best odds for Spain to win Group D at 1.72, but even so it is not the kind of value that savvy punters were hoping for. Anything below even odds in a group featuring the Netherlands and Chile is not worth the risk, so it would be wiser to wait for the elimination rounds to begin. Vincent Del Bosque won't push his players too much in the first stage of the World Cup 2014, but he won't settle for second best either.
Key players for Spain at the World Cup
For a manager as experienced as Del Bosque, keeping players in check is easy but even the veteran will have a hard mission in keeping them motivated. They won so many trophies both for the national team and their clubs, that they no longer have the burning desire to excel. What Spain doesn't lack is class and skill, with Iniesta being a good example of a formidable and versatile player that would be hard to replace
He will have to do without Messi in the team, but this is not something that Iniesta hasn't done before and he is expected to once again rise to the occasion. Xavi will play a critical role in the midfield and with Diego Costa choosing Spain over Brazil, their offensive concerns have all but vanished. Opponents are so intimidated by this team that they will think twice before taking any chances upfront.
Del Bosque is trying to breathe new life into a great but aging team and this is where the likes of Isco, Martinez and Azpilicueta kick in. They grew a lot while playing for their clubs and need big games to reach their full potential, so they will be looking forward to the World Cup 2014. Casillas is back in form and will defend the net as he has done before many times, so Spain remains a big favorite to win the cup.
The bottom line
There is no value in backing Spain to win the group, but they are worth a shot as outright winners, because until proven otherwise, they are the best team in the world. As top scorer bets go, Diego Costa is priced at 26.00 by Bet365, which is also a tempting bet if Spain is to make at least the final.
