Early world cup favorites now that most of the teams have qualified? Top 5

This for me is a strange world cup, Brazil should have the obvious advantage they ran roughshod over Spain in the confed final and should have a huge home field advantage. Yet, this strikes me as one of the least exciting Brazilian national teams in years. Neymar, Oscar, Thiago, and Paulhino are great but in the past Brazilian world cup winners had players like Romario, Ronaldo, Ronaldino, Rivaldo, and Roberto Carlos. I don't know if any of the players on Brazil's team is world player of the year good. Still on history they might be a slight favorite. After Brazil to me the next most likely is Germany. I mean the German's have incredible midfield depth with Ozil, Scheurle, Goetze, Reus, Schwienie, etc. The best keeper in the world for my money in Neuer and that famous German team spirit. They got to win the world cup either this time or next time with this generation they have, for my money the most talented of all this year's competitors. Then I would go with the Argies; Messi, Aguero, and Higuain should give them goals and creativity a plenty. Still remains to be seen if they are solid enough at the back and in goal for my money. At #4, I go with Spain, but Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, and Casillas the rocks of the dominant Spanish teams of recent years is ageing. Remains to be seen if players like Pedro and Fab can do the heavy lifting on their own at the World cup level. Then at #5 I have to go with Italy. The Italians are just very rock solid defensively and so hard to break down. Quality defense, midfield, and goal keeping make them one of the hardest possible outs in any tournament. If Rossi comes back with the goals he is pumping in at a record rate and if Balotelli can maintain his sanity for a month they should have the goals to make them real dangerous.

My top 5

1. Brazil
2. Germany
3. Argentina
4. Spain
5. Italy

The same cast of characters as usual, makes it tough to predict without the groups coming out but I just couldn't weight as most of the teams have qualified.

I would put Uruguay above Italy but agree with the list.

The surprise team at this world cup will be Colombia

Champagne_Socialist wrote:I would put Uruguay above Italy but agree with the list.

The surprise team at this world cup will be Colombia

Uruguay is a good squad with both Cavani and Suarez plus they are a team used to those conditions. Good post colombia could be the dark horse as they have a lot of class. The south Americans should do well. But I am to an extent banking on 3 players for Italy that can be boom or bust. Pirlo, Balotelli, and Rossi for all their problems can be a lethal trio for them in creating and scoring goals if healthy. I know Mario is crazy but he can do somethings that few players can when he is on the boil and he has scored a lot of goals in his young career and Rossi is leading serie A if I am not mistaken in goals with Fio.