Group G

Brazil - World Ranking 1

After enduring a difficult spell at the helm of the Brazilian national side, Dunga has come out the other side and is now enjoying a successful spell. They breezed to the top of their qualifying group, and completed a worthwhile warm up by winning the Confederations Cup last summer.

The last time Brazil failed to get past the group stage was in 1966, so there isn't really a group of death to the Brazilians. Although it isn't the best group of players they've took to a tournament, Dunga has got them playing well and with confidence and they are second favourites behind Spain.

Strengths

Luis Fabiano has been a revelation after eventually been given a chance to impress in the national fold. He looks like a born number nine, and is excelling in this current squad. If anyone is to challenge Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa for that mantle this Summer, it looks like it could well be Brazil's Sevilla front man.

Experience is the name of the game for Brazil, with most of those selected having been to major tournament and plying their trade at top clubs. In addition to this, there is the fact that no European side has won a World Cup held outside of Europe. Something that will no doubt have the Samba stars brimming with confidence.

Weaknesses

While experience is a good thing in a squad, there usually has to be a good mix with youth for a side to ultimately become successful. With nine players selected over 30 and only 2 at 25 being the youngest, it could become a problem that affects progress in the latter stages.

This team is also not as strong as Brazil sides we have seen in the past, and that fear factor no longer seems to exist that once saw them breeze into the later rounds on reputation alone.

Key Man - Luis Fabiano

A man possessed while wearing a Brazil shirt, he simply can't stop scoring. His 25 goals in 38 appearances is up their with the best in the world, and he will really need to hit this type of form if Brazil are to become six time champions. A move to the Premier League has surrounded Fabiano for well over a year, and a successful tournament could spark bids from all over Europe.

One to Watch - Daniel Alves

Barcelona's marauding right-back is often seen charging up the touch line, setting up attack after attack for both club and country. The Catalan club signed Alves for a fee that could eventually rise to 40m Euros from Sevilla, and he won the treble in his first season at the club. He could be key in the assist stakes for Brazil this summer.

Manager - Dunga

Brazil's manager knows what it is like to win a World Cup, after captaining his team to glory in 1994. After turning down the job as national team manager in 2000 because of concerns about the running of the FA, he accepted the post after the last World Cup and could become part of a small group who have won the World Cup as player and manager.

Odds - 5/1

Prediction - Will win the group, and will be amongst the contenders in the later stages.

Ivory Coast - World Ranking 27

Maybe the most unlucky side in this years tournament are Sven Goran Eriksson's Ivory Coast outfit. After their first World Cup fours years ago they exited in the first round after finding themselves in the group of death, now four years later they are once again in that dreaded group. And an injury to talisman Didier Drogba hardly helps matters, even though he is expected to play some part.

After qualifying comfortably under the guidance of Vahid Halilhodzic, a poor African Nations saw Les Elephants put under the charge of the former England manager. A quarter-final specialist while on our shores, he could have his work cut out just to escape the group stage this time round.

Strengths

Their is good experience throughout this side, but the strongest area could well be among the forward line. First choice Drogba (when fit again) will be accompanied by either Salomon Kalou or Aruna Dindane who both enjoyed good season while in the Premier League.

A strong bullish side as you would expect from Africa, they will need to be at their best this summer. The hassling that was missing in the African Nations will have to return, and they could just stand a chance of progressing to at least the last 16.

Weaknesses

Their defence needs to be sorted out, and fast, if they are to beat Portugal into second place. Kolo Toure hasn't exactly set Eastlands a light this season, while Emmanuel Eboue has been used sparingly in defence at Arsenal. One option could be to follow Barcelona's example and switch Yaya Toure to the back, but whatever the solution if it isn't sorter Ivory Coast could fall at the first hurdle for the second year running.

Key Man - Didier Drogba

The strong yet pacey Chelsea front man epitomises everything about this side. His bullish attitude on the pitch makes him very little friends, but he won't care while he's plundering the goals at the rate he is. He hit the back of the net 37 times in all competitions for his club last season, and his rate for his country is equally impressive with 44 in 67. They will need him to recover fast, with their first two games being Portugal and Brazil.

One to Watch - Salomon Kalou

Drogba's Chelsea team mate is beginning to impress in the Premier League. after struggling to make an impact at first. His strike rate for his national side though is non too shabby, with him finding the back of the net 11 time in 28 appearances.

Manager - Sven Goran Eriksson

After a terrible spell at Mexico and a doomed reign at Notts County as Director of Football, Eriksson has found his way to Ivory Coast where he has a contract that lasts for just the World Cup. A good showing could get him back into club management quickly, with the Swede already throwing his hat into the ring for the available position at Anfield.

Odds - 25/1

Prediction - Will just lose out to Portugal in the run for second place.

North Korea - World Ranking 106

The much unfancied North Koreans are certainly wild cards in South Africa, after a marathon slog saw them qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1966. They began their campaign in October 2007, after after five preliminary rounds earned the right to compete in the Asian Qualifying section. A good result against the more fancied Saudi Arabia got them through to compete this summer, and they could well spring a few surprises after being seemingly written off already.

Strengths

The sheer unexpected nature of this side. No one really knows a lot about North Korea, they are expected to be comfortably beaten in all three group games so they could well cause a shock.

Their main strength in play is in defence, although this could go wrong with the attacking might that lies in group G. If they mix a stern defence with attacking intentions they could do better than expected, but if they just sit back it could all go wrong.

Weaknesses

With this being their first World Cup in some 44 years they could quite easily become overwhelmed at the occasion. Especially consider they have been drawn in the group of death, with three other sides all expecting to do rather well.

In addition to this point, there is of course a lack of obvious talent in the squad with no world class players to speak of. And with talent of the highest grade everywhere in this group, in the worst case scenario it could all end up rather embarrassing.

Key Man - Jong Tae Se

The 'Asian Wayne Rooney' is one of a number of players who will be on show hoping to secure a lucrative move with a good showing. He currently plies his trade for Kawasaki Frontale in Japan, and is the current man of the moment in his homeland after scoring against both Japan and South Korea in February. He could've also played for either of those two nations due to parentage, but chose North Korea after they paid for his education.

One to Watch - Hong Yong-Jo

Hong Yong-Jo is one of only two players in this squad that currently plays in Europe, Russian side FC Rostov is where he currently plays club football. This experience could be crucial in keeping the rest of the squad level headed, and the current North Korea Captain will have a big part to play in that and in ensuring goals can be found in South Africa.

Manager - Kim Jong-Hun

The logical choice for manager of this side, as it is unthinkable that they would employ a foreign coach. However don't be swayed he isn't afraid to speak his mind, after a recent defeat to fierce rivals South Korea he accused them of poisoning his players.

Odds - 2000/1

Prediction - Will be overwhelmed by the attacking nature of the other side in this group, and in all honestly could struggle to even get on the score sheet.

Portugal - World Ranking 3

After stuttering to a place in South Africa, question marks hang over the heads of Portugal side that reached the last four in Germany 2006. They were beaten into second place in the qualification group by Denmark, narrowly edging out Sweden into third. And after defeating Bosnia Herzegovina 1-0 in each leg of their play-off match, they head into this summers tournament looking in far from convincing form.

With the 'golden generation' now gone, it is up to the new boys to perform but Cristiano Ronaldo will not be able to do everything alone. Manager Carlos Queiroz also finds himself under pressure, with many fans believing he should've stuck to being a number two.

Strengths

2002 first round exit in the Japan and Korea World Cup apart, Portugal have tended to fare well in big international tournaments this century. A fourth place finish at the World Cup fours years ago is added to well placed finishes in the last three European Champions of a semi-final, final and quarter final. Added to this is the fact that they are now playing without pressure, with their recent poor form removing the favourites tag that usually follows them.

With Nani now out of the World Cup, Portugal will need someone else to step up to the breach and take some of the pressure off their captain Ronaldo. Brazilian born Liedson's emergence is also a major plus for Portugal, with his 3 goals in 9 games showing his international credentials.

Weaknesses

Carlos Queiroz looks out of his depth in international management, with many believing he can't make the big decisions or lead a team. This could have a negative effect on the side, with people doubting the managers ability to do his job.

In addition to this, while on paper Portugal have a good record of late the truth is they haven't played a side in the world's top 15 during that period. They have a good record against these lower sides, but a group game against Brazil should show where there really at.

Key Man - Cristiano Ronaldo

Arguably the world's most complete footballer, Ronaldo enjoyed a spectacular first season at Real Madrid on a personal level. Although his side failure to win anything proves he cannot win on his own, which is the problem which the national side. Despite his incredible goal scoring form for his club though, he failed to score during Portugal's qualifying campaign. However his lung bursting pace and ability to score from seemingly anywhere on the pitch, will be crucial to Portugal.

One to Watch - Miguel Veloso

A defensive midfielder who can also operate as a left back, Miguel Veloso is a target for many English clubs and with a good showing could soon find himself in the Premier League. As well as cutting out attacks he also loves to start them, and can often be found bombing into enemy territory.

Manager - Carlos Queiroz

The former Real Madrid manager has had the opportunity to manage at World Cup before, but he resigned prior to the 2002 tournament after leading South Africa to Japan and South Korea. Under pressure from all angles, it could take a great tournament to keep him in the job.

Odds - 28/1

Prediction - Should make it out of the group behind Brazil, but will then face Spain in the next round and find their competition over.

Next Time

Join me tomorrow for the preview of the final group, containing Spain, Honduras, Chile and Switzerland.