28.6.10
Spain vs Portugal: World Cup 2010 Preview and Prediction
6/29 20:30 GMT Spain vs Portugal
Appearances
Brazil 18 - Chile 7Spain and Portugal square off on Monday for another sure to be exciting fixture in Cape Town’s beautiful Green Point Stadium. Get ready folks, this one promises to be one of the most anticipated Round of 16 games with FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking number 2 and 3 respectively. Although the countries have never met in the World Cup, stars galore will be on display from the two neighboring nations of the Iberian Peninsula.
Spain:
La Selección will continue their World Cup South Africa campaign most likely without the likes of Xabi Alonso and defender Raul Albiol. If there was ever a team with a bench alone that could win the World Cup, it is Spain. Coach Vicente del Bosque, however, is not satisfied with any of Spain’s performances in their first 3 encounters. Spain, by the way, could only beat a 10-man Chile 2-1. Consistently blowing chances and wasting opportunities, Fernando Torres looks like he is still injured or just uninterested. David Villa on the other hand is demonstrating just how good he really is and why he is Barcelona material. In Xabi Alonso’s absence, Fabregas will hopefully get a little more playing time. WSN.com Player(s) to Watch: The Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta Combo. Even though the two have dominated possession in the midfield, the finishing in the final third has been relatively poor.
Portugal:
A Selecção das Quinas has not yet allowed a goal in South Africa and will look to keep the incredible feat alive. The only team to not concede a goal will rely yet again on sound and solid defense to outdo the Spaniards. The Portuguese however, have shown a weakness in creating promising opportunities against quality sides. Portugal has the talent and ability to beat any team in the world, but will have to bring out all of their strengths against a very strong Spain. Ronaldo will need to shine if Portugal wants to go through to the quarterfinals. The world’s most expensive player took too much on himself against Brazil trying to shoot from distance about 10 too many times. Coach Carlos Queiroz has declared Portugal is ready “to leave it all on the field.” Look for Portugal to pounce on every opportunity to counter attack and expose the weakness of Spain. WSN.com strangely enough Player to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo. Midfield playmaker Deco is back and likely to play.
Head to Head
Brazil - Chile
46 Win 7
12 Draw 12
152 Goal Score 55
Prediction:
Ronaldo will have a field day with the familiar Spanish defense that has shown weaknesses in their previous encounters. Spain however, is too talented to leave South Africa this early. Iniesta and Xavi will continue to impress and Torres will finally get on track. Either side will be happy to see either Paraguay or Japan in the quarterfinals.
Pick:
Spain 3 – 1 Portugal
Brazil Players
Brazil
- 1 JULIO CESAR
- 12 GOMES
- 22 DONI
- 2 MAICON
- 3 LUCIO
- 4 JUAN
- 6 MICHEL BASTOS
- 13 DANI ALVES
- 14 LUISAO
- 15 THIAGO SILVA
- 16 GILBERTO MELO
- 5 FELIPE MELO
- 7 ELANO
- 8 GILBERTO SILVA
- 10 KAKA
- 17 JOSUE
- 18 RAMIRES
- 19 JULIO BAPTISTA
- 20 KLEBERSON
- 9 LUIS FABIANO
- 11 ROBINHO
- 21 NILMAR
- 23 GRAFITE
- 1 Claudio BRAVO
- 12 Miguel PINTO
- 23 Luis MARIN
- 2 Ismael FUENTES
- 3 Waldo PONCE
- 4 Mauricio ISLA
- 5 Pablo CONTRERAS
- 17 Gary MEDEL
- 18 Gonzalo JARA
- 6 Carlos CARMONA
- 8 Arturo VIDAL
- 10 Jorge VALDIVIA
- 13 Marco ESTRADA
- 14 Matias FERNANDEZ
- 19 Gonzalo FIERRO
- 20 Rodrigo MILLAR
- 21 Rodrigo TELLO
- 7 Alexis SANCHEZ
- 9 Humberto SUAZO
- 11 Mark GONZALEZ
- 15 Jean BEAUSEJOUR
- 16 Fabian ORELLANA
- 22 Esteban PAREDES
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