Group H: Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland

Our unmissable guide to the World Cup: an anyone stop the Spanish?

CHILE: FIFA RANKING 18, ODDS TO WIN 66/1

By rights, anyone nicknamed "El Loco" who comes from South America should be biting the heads off chickens and starting brawls every other game. However, the madness of Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa is of a far more nerdy, football-based variety.

Bielsa, who spent six years as manager of his homeland Argentina from 1998 to 2004, earned the nickname for his meticulous approach to the game that at times verges on the obsessive. For instance, Chile have sometimes played two friendlies on the same day, sometimes not even in the same city, as part of their intensive preparation for South Africa. However, there is method to his madness, as his side have earned a reputation for playing attacking football that gets results.

His preparation is so detailed it puts the great Jose Mourinho to shame. He studies hundreds of videos of his opponents, and potential opponents, which he takes with him to major tournaments. Before the 2002 World Cup, when he was manager of Argentina, he took 1,800 videos with him to Japan, only to send for 200 more when he feared he might not have enough.

Bielsa's obsessiveness has had a dramatic effect on Chilean football. The national football association president, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, said recently: "We wanted a very strict way of training with a lot of discipline and we wanted players with a little bit more humility than in the past. That was what we asked Bielsa to do and he came with a mission and was able to do it."

It took a little time for Bielsa to get his message across but he has succeeded. Winger Mark Gonzalez said: "In the beginning we all had trouble understanding Bielsa and his philosophy, but towards the end of the qualifying round we were a very well structured team. He is a perfectionist, respected by everyone and likes discipline."

Gonzalez, who has recovered after a disappointing spell with Liverpool, plays on the left of a three-pronged attack that includes Humberto Suazo, who scored 10 goals in 18 games in qualifying, and the exciting 21-year-old Alexis Sanchez, who is expected to be one of the players to make a name for themselves over the coming weeks. Bielsa has Chile playing an adventurous 3-4-3 formation, with Sporting Lisbon's stylish Matias Fernandez taking the playmaker role in the centre of midfield.

Chile hope their World Cup exploits will lift a nation attempting to recover from an earthquake in February. The team will take with them a Chilean flag that was found in the rubble of the terrible disaster that killed nearly 5,000 people. It became a symbol of regeneration and will fly above the national team's training camp.

The verdict

Chile should be strong enough to get past Switzerland and Honduras but that will be the extent of their progress, as in the next round they would have to play the winners of Group H – probably Brazil.

The details

Previous best Third (1962). Beat Yugoslavia to finish third on home soil in 1962. Second round in 1998 is only other time past the group stage.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Claudio Bravo (age 27, Real Sociedad, caps 43), Miguel Pinto (26, Universidad de Chile, 14), Luis Marin (27, Union Espanola, 3). Defenders: Pablo Contreras (31, PAOK Athens, 51), Ismael Fuentes (28, Universidad Catolica, 28), Mauricio Isla (21, Udinese, 12), Gonzalo Jara (24, West Bromwich Albion, 34), Gary Medel (22, Boca Juniors, 24), Waldo Ponce (27, Universidad Catolica, 25), Arturo Vidal (23, Bayer Leverkusen, 23). Midfielders: Rodrigo Tello (30, Besiktas, 34), Gonzalo Fierro (25, Flamengo, 18), Carlos Carmona (23, Reggina, 20), Marco Estrada (27, Universidad de Chile, 22), Rodrigo Millar (28, Colo Colo, 21), Matias Fernandez (24, Sporting, 37), Jorge Valdivia (26, Al Ain, 39). Strikers: Mark Gonzalez (25, CSKA Moscow, 39), Esteban Paredes (29, Colo Colo, 14), Juan Beausejour (26, America, 26), Fabian Orellana (24, Xerez, 16), Alexis Sanchez (21, Udinese, 28), Humberto Suazo (29, Real Zaragoza, 42).

HONDURAS: FIFA RANKING 38, ODDS TO WIN 1,000/1

Honduras possess probably the best team in their history, which is not saying all that much. However, with players like Wilson Palacios and Maynor Figueroa now established performers in the Premier League, they hope they can pull off a few shocks.

Group favourites Spain for one are unlikely to take Honduras lightly, having been held to a 1-1 draw by the unfancied Central Americans in the 1982 World Cup finals. Spain were the hosts, and as such went into the competition with pretensions of actually winning it, but Honduras managed to puncture their pride with a remarkable draw in Valencia.

On the face of it, there would appear to be little chance of history repeating itself when the countries meet again at Johannesburg's Ellis Park on 21 June. Spain are ranked second in the world, while Honduras lie a lowly 38th. They only made it to the finals when United States defender Jonathan Bornstein scored a late equaliser against Costa Rica, which allowed Honduras to sneak in through the back door.

They rely on a strong defence, in which Wigan's Figueroa lines up alongside Victor Bernardez of Anderlecht. Johnny Palacios, the younger brother of Wilson, is also in the pool of defensive options. The back four however will have to be on top form if they are to handle the Spanish and the free-scoring Chileans. The biggest worry concerns goalkeeper Noel Valladares who is extremely shaky when dealing with high balls, a weakness that Switzerland, in particular, may try to exploit.

In midfield, Tottenham's Palacios provides high-energy cover for the back four, alongside Wigan's Hendry Thomas and Julio Cesar de Leon, who plays for Torino in Italy and is something of a specialist at free-kicks. They do the donkey work for captain Amado Guevara who, at 34 years old, is too long in the tooth to run around much. He is not the oldest in the side however, as striker Carlos Pavon will be 37 in October.

Pavon defied his age to score seven goals in nine games in qualifying. He is joined up front by David Suazo, who has been moving around club's in Italy's Serie A for the past decade and has most recently found form at Genoa.

The Hondurans' success in qualifying is testament to the work of Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda. Defender Bernardez said of Rueda: "Before him, no national coach paid attention to the players in the way that he does."

The verdict

There will be plenty of effort but Honduras are unlikely to trouble the other sides in Group H.

The details

Previous best Group stage (1982). Finished bottom of group in their only previous tournament.

Killer fact Amado Guevara is the most experienced player at this World Cup with his 134 caps.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares (age 33, Olimpia, caps 72), Donis Escober (30, Olimpia, 11), Ricardo Canales (28, Motagua, 3). Defenders: Sergio Mendoza (29, Motagua, 48) Emilio Izaguirre (24, Motagua, 41), Mauricio Sabillon (31, Hangzhou Greentown, 25), Osman Chavez (25, Platense, 28), Johnny Palacios (23, Olimpia, 5), Boniek Garcia (25, Olimpia, 44), Maynor Figueroa (27, Wigan Athletic, 67), Victor Bernardez (28, Anderlecht, 42). Midfielders: Danilo Turcios (32, Olimpia, 83), Ramon Nunez (25, Olimpia, 18), Hendry Thomas (25, Wigan Athletic, 41), Edgard Alvarez (30, Bari, 48), Roger Espinoza (23, Kansas City Wizards, 11), Amado Guevara (34, Motagua, 134), Wilson Palacios (25, Tottenham Hotspur, 70), Julio Cesar de Leon (76, Torino, 15). Strikers: Walter Martinez (28, Marathon, 35), Georgie Welcome (14, Motagua, 4), Carlos Pavon (36, Real Espana, 100), David Suazo (30, Genoa, 52).

SPAIN: FIFA RANKING 2, ODDS TO WIN 4/1

If Spain turn up and perform with such precision and creativity as they did at Euro 2008 two years ago, then they will take some stopping. The likelihood is however that they will be even better than they were in Austria and Switzerland, where they won their first international tournament for 44 years.

They set a new record during qualifying, becoming the first team ever to qualify with a perfect 10 out of 10 wins in their group games. They have lost just once since beating Germany in the Euro final, losing to the United States in last summer's Confederations Cup in South Africa. In recent friendlies they have triumphed over Argentina and England, along with a breathtaking display in Paris three months ago, beating France 2-0 in a friendly that prompted Thierry Henry to say: "It's lovely to watch Spain on the television, but when you actually play against them you can't get the ball off them. It's impossible. It's incredible. They are a great side."

If Spain do not win the World Cup this year, they might as well give up all hope of ever doing it, for they will not have a better opportunity than the one that presents itself over the coming weeks in South Africa. Manager Vicente del Bosque has tried to talk down references to Spain being strong favourites to add the World Cup to their European Championship trophy, but the former Real Madrid man is in a minority of one.

Nearly everyone else expects Spain to build on that triumph at Euro 2008, a victory that has extinguished the perception of them as a nation that flatters to deceive. Two summers ago, they boasted the most balanced side in the tournament and, having made that breakthrough, they are playing with greater togetherness and confidence.

Midfielder Andres Iniesta said recently: "We are stronger than we were after winning the Euros. We knew that to follow on from that tournament victory we couldn't stand still in any way. To win a World Cup requires each of us to consciously raise our level and that process started right after the Euros. We won every game in qualifying, which tells its own story.

"The toughest thing once you achieve a big victory in football is keeping the mentality right. Relaxation is a natural phenomenon after such a big achievement. But that's not an area where this squad can be faulted."

Much of the credit for that goes to Del Bosque. He came in after Luis Aragones departed on a high after Euro 2008 and has maintained the focus of the side, setting a new world record as Spain won the first 13 games with him in charge. Del Bosque has fine-tuned the side, experimenting with a five-man midfield in some games to introduce greater width.

His two-year reign in Spain has been so good it is hard to find a weakness in a side that contains a strong Barcelona presence from front to back, now that David Villa has joined the Blaugrana. Like Barcelona, Spain enjoy passing the opposition into submission. The midfield is built around the Catalan pairing of Xavi Hernandez and Iniesta, the diminutive duo whose appreciation of geometry and creative energy are without equal in the modern game. Joining them in the dream midfield is Xabi Alonso of Real Madrid and Valencia's David Silva to make a quartet who rarely seem to misplace a pass. They are so good there is rarely a starting place for Cesc Fabregas, a player of such immense talent he would walk into pretty much any team.

Spain's front pairing of Villa and Fernando Torres is probably the best in the world, while the defence has been strengthened by the development of centre-back Gerard Pique into a world-class player. If Spain have a weakness, it is perhaps at full-back, where Sergio Ramos on the right and Joan Capdevila on the left are liable to make mistakes.

France coach Raymond Domenech hinted after his side's recent defeat that Spain could face being kicked off the park in South Africa if they are not properly protected by the referees. "All I know is that it's almost impossible to get the ball when you play against Spain and that obliges opponents to think of any solution whatsoever," he said.

The major obstacle to Spain reaching the final could be their second-round opponents, as they are likely to win Group H with a degree of comfort, which could leave them vulnerable in the last 16 where they would face the runners-up from the strongest group of the tournament Group G. A second-round match against Brazil, Portugal or Ivory Coast, teams who would already have been tested in the heat of the competition to qualify, would be a daunting prospect. That game on 29 June may determine whether Spain are to be crowned world champions for the first time, or will once again fail on the biggest stage of all.

The verdict

Spain have everything needed to win, including now the mental strength, having triumphed at Euro 2008. The team to beat.

The details

Previous best Fourth (1950). Habitual underachievers but favourites after winning the European Championship two years ago.

Killer fact Spain have only reached the last stage once - finishing bottom of the final pool in Brazil in 1950. Have also made the quarter-finals five times, including in four of the last seven tournaments.

And the fans? Often divided by their regions, the Spaniards unify as a sea of red and yellow that can be as explosive as their team. Expect flares and "Que Viva Espana".

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (age 29, Real Madrid, caps 103), Pepe Reina (27, Liverpool, 20), Victor Valdes (28, Barcelona, 1). Defenders: Raul Albiol (24, Real Madrid, 23), Alvaro Arbeloa (27, Real Madrid, 14), Joan Capdevila (32, Villarreal, 44), Carlos Marchena (30, Valencia, 58), Gerard Pique (23, Barcelona, 15), Carles Puyol (32, Barcelona, 82), Sergio Ramos (24, Real Madrid, 59). Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (28, Real Madrid, 68), Sergio Busquets (21, Barcelona, 12), Cesc Fabregas (23, Arsenal, 49), Andres Iniesta (26, Barcelona, 42), Javi Martinez (21, Athletic Bilbao, 2), David Silva (24, Valencia, 35), Xavi Hernandez (30, Barcelona, 86). Strikers: Jesus Navas (24, Sevilla, 5), Juan Mata (22, Valencia, 8), Pedro Rodriguez (22, Barcelona, 2), Fernando Llorente (25, Athletic Bilbao, 7), Fernando Torres (26, Liverpool, 72), David Villa (28, Valencia, 57).

SWITZERLAND: FIFA RANKING 24, ODDS TO WIN 250/1

Switzerland are one of the upcoming forces of world football, with their youth team having won the Under-17 World Cup in Nigeria last year. Their senior team is also on the rise, but world domination is not on their radar this summer.

Ottmar Hitzfeld would be delighted merely to shepherd his Swiss side past Chile and into the knock-out stages, and he believes they have a chance. He has highlighted the meeting of the two nations in Port Elizabeth on 21 June as the decisive game.

"Chile had an unbelievably strong qualification and qualified well in a group with Brazil and Argentina, despite not having the best of starts," the former Bayern Munich coach said. "The team are also very strong technically, therefore we all have to produce a super performance if we want to win."

Honduras, however, cannot be discounted, and they will be buoyed by Switzerland's habit of slipping up against unfancied teams. Hitzfeld's team qualified by topping a group that included Israel and Greece. However, they did it despite suffering the most unlikely of defeats – losing 2-1 at home to Luxembourg. That tendency of losing to unheralded opponents continued recently with a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica, a result that will give heart to the Hondurans in particular.

Despite the odd bizarre result, and the presence of Philippe Senderos in defence, Switzerland are generally hard to beat. They boast a decent goalkeeper in Diego Benaglio, who has enjoyed another good season with Wolfsburg. In front of him Senderos keeps his place, despite hardly playing for Arsenal, or his loan club Everton, last season. Alongside him in defence will be Auxerre's experienced centre-half Stéphane Grichting.

The 23-year-old former Manchester City midfielder Gelson Fernandes, who now plays for St Etienne in France, stars in the midfield, where he is joined by Tranquillo Barnetta, the 25-year-old from Bayer Leverkusen who can play on the wing or in the centre. Up front Hitzfeld will rely on the country's record scorer and captain Alexander Frei to pinch the odd goal. Frei was injured in the opening game of Euro 2008 on home soil, so will be particularly determined to make the most of this opportunity.

The attacking options also include the veterans Hakan Yakin (33) and Blaise N'Kufo (34), who was an international outcast for years after a row with former manager Kobi Kuhn. Bayer Leverkusen's Eren Derdiyok will also give Hitzfeld options, following the withdrawal through injury of the reliable Marco Streller.

The verdict

A fortunate draw means they have a chance of reaching the second round. However, a heavy loss to Spain in their opener could end things very quickly.

The details

Previous best Quarter-finals three times (1934, 1938 & 1954). Made the last eight in three of the first five tournaments before failing to qualify in nine of the next 12. Reached the second round last time out.

Killer fact In 2006, they became the first team to complete a World Cup without conceding a single goal. They also set another record, failing to score any of their penalties in their quarter-final shoot-out defeat to Ukraine.

And the fans? The loyal support from the Alps are known for carrying flags and banners in their droves.

The squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Benaglio (age 26, VfL Wolfsburg, caps 25), Johnny Leoni (25, Zurich, 0), Marco Woelfli (27, Young Boys Berne, 4). Defenders: Mario Eggimann (29, Hanover 96, 8), Stephane Grichting (31, Auxerre, 33), Stephan Lichtsteiner (26, Lazio, 26), Philippe Senderos (25, Arsenal, 38), Ludovic Magnin (31, Zurich, 62), Steve Von Bergen (26, Hertha Berlin, 10), Reto Ziegler (24, Sampdoria, 10). Midfielders: Tranquillo Barnetta (25, Bayer Leverkusen, 50), Valon Behrami (25, West Ham United, 26), Gelson Fernandes (23, St Etienne, 22), Benjamin Huggel (32, Basel, 36), Marco Padalino (26, Sampdoria, 7), Pirmin Schwegler (23, Eintracht Frankfurt, 3), Goklan Inler (25, Udinese, 34). Strikers: Eren Derdiyok (21, Bayer Leverkusen, 19), Alexander Frei (30, Basel, 73), Blaise Nkufo (35, FC Twente, 29), Hakan Yakin (33, Luzern, 80), Xherdan Shaqiri (18, Basel, 1), Albert Bunjaku (26, Nuremberg, 2).