World Cup 2014 draw analysis: Which teams had it easy?

Group E – Switzerland, Ecuador, France, Honduras.

Olivier Giroud of France

One of the weaker groups in the tournament, the European sides will be very happy to avoid some of the big names in the early phases of the competition. Switzerland, coached by Ottmar Hitzfeld, one of the most experienced coaches among the 32 finalist, had arguably the easiest route to qualification of all the European entrants. They have a number of very able players like Xhedran Shaqiri, Gokhan Inler, Granit Xhaka and Diego Benaglio that should help them qualify through this group. Ecuador have had a very rough year, struggling for form and mourning the tragic death of striker Christian Benitez, but they have made it through a tough South American qualifying process and have beaten the likes Colombia, Chile and Honduras and so shouldn’t be underestimated.France, the lowest rank European side, booked their place at the tournament via play-offs and Didier Deschamps couldn’t have asked for a better group. In Franck Ribery, Les Bleus possess a world-class wide man, while the likes of Karim Benzema, Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Valbuena offer additional quality to the side. Honduras are a good footballing side but if they are able to make it to the last 16, then that will be a huge huge surprise. They could cause an upset, but will need to be at their very best.

Players to Watch - Xhedran Shaqiri (Switzerland), Antonio Valencia (Ecuador), Franck Ribery (France), Wilson Palacios (Honduras).Predictions - France and Switzerland.

Group F – Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria.

Lionel Messi of Argentina

This may not be one of the most eye-catching group, but it does promise to be one of the most competitive one. Argentina, undoubtedly one of the favourites to win the tournament, are the clear favourites to win the group. Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain and co should have too much quality for the other three teams in the group, who will scrap out for second place.Bosnia-Herzegovina making their first appearance at World Cup, will fancy their chances of progressing to the last 16. They have a young side with plenty of attacking assets of their own and will enter the tournament without any fear. Iran will more likely be filling the group up, and the other three teams will be looking to get maximum points from them, but they can’t be underestimated as they finished top of their qualifying group containing South Korea and Uzbekistan. It’s been a year to remember for Nigeria and they have never been any stronger than this in many years. The Super Eagles will look to build on their 2013 Afican Cup of Nations success, and have a host of quality players that will look to get their side through to the knockout stages.

Players to Watch - Lionel Messi (Argentina), Edin Dzeko (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Javed Nekouman (Iran), Victor Moses (Nigeria).Predictions - Argentina and Nigeria.

Group G – Germany, Ghana, United States of America, Portugal.

Mesut Ozil of Germany

The most eagerly awaited, eagerly contested and certainly the undisputed group of death. It’s going to be Jurgen Klinsmann against Germany. U.S coach Klinsmann will take on his homeland, and his old assistant and successor, Joachim Low. What an emotional encounter that will be. While that grabs the headlines, don’t forget that even Ghana and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal are also in this group. It promises to be tough and things could get stemany in Group G. Germany will be many people’s favourites, not only to win the group but also for the tournament and are definitely the team to beat. The Germans are Europe’s best hope of bringing the trophy back from South America. Low’s side is filled with players steeped in top-level experience and this may be the time for Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger to make the final step at the international level. Ghana are arguably the strongest of all the African qualifiers and they have some quality players in their ranks, but it looks very difficult for them to emulate the success they had in South Africa 2010. United States have improved a lot since last World Cup in Brazil where they finished bottom of their group and under Klinsmann their play has become more expansive, but they are drawn in the wrong group and face an arduous task of progressing to the latter stages. Portugal have made a habit of making life difficult on themselves in qualifying, but tend to perform better than expectation once they qualify. The stage is set for Cristiano Ronaldo inspire his nation to glory. Their match against Germany should be a cracker.

Players to Watch - Mesut Ozil (Germany), Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Clint Dempsey (United States), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).Predictions - Germany and Portugal.

Group H – Belgium, Algeria, Russia, South Korea.

Eden Hazard of Belgium

This may sound stupid, but this was the group many teams wanted to be in before the draw started. That’s because it’s the last to start, meaning more time to prepare and get use to the conditions, plus all the games will be played southeast of Brazil, where the weather is mild and low humidity. This group looks very open as any of the four sides could win it. Belgium will be the favourites to qualify from the group as they are a team bless with a golden generation which has made them a dark horse in many people’s eyes. In the likes of Thibaut Courtios, Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaini, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku there is immense of quality and there is no reason they can’t make the last four. Algeria are one of the weakest sides to have qualified for the World Cup, but can’t be underestimated as England did in 2010. Russia have a lot of talent in their squad and under the guidance of Fabio Capello they are formidable side to beat. Finally,South Korea will be no pushovers. They have some fine technicians in the midfield like Kim Bo-Kyung and Ki Sung-Yueng, and in Son Heung-Min they one of Asia’s most talented forward. It could well be between Russia and South Korea that seals the second place in the group.

Players to Watch - Eden Hazard (Belgium), Madjid Bougherra (Algeria), Alexander Kokorin (Russia), Son Heung-Min (South Korea).Predictions - Belgium and Russia.