With a potential second round clash with Brazil waiting for the group runners-up, the members of Group H know the importance of qualifying in first place. Portugal and Cote d’Ivoire are the probable alternative opposition in round two, so whoever qualifies out of Spain, Switzerland, Chile and Honduras have a tough last 16 assignment ahead of them.

This tricky route to the final – Italy are potential quarter final opponents – combined with their disappointing overall World Cup record, will generate doubts about Spain’s chances of winning their first World Cup.
However, Vicente del Bosque’s outfit appear to have everything in place to go all the way. Ranked number one in the world, they went on a record 35-match unbeaten run that came to an end in last summer’s Confederations Cup. They won 32 of those matches.

That superb streak included their win at Euro 2008, a significant achievement that proved they were ready to win a major event. They have quality throughout their team, not least in attack, where David Villa and Fernando Torres are both potential tournament top scorers.

Football betting suggests the rest of Group H are battling for second place. Honduras, appearing in their second finals, are the outsiders. They lost four times in the final qualifying phase, winning one from five away from home, and they might struggle to make an impact in South Africa.

Chile qualified from the CONMEBOL section in second place, beating Argentina in the process. They are on a five-match winning run and whilst they lack big names, former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa has moulded a well-organised squad that is capable of progressing.

Switzerland are also guided by an experience manager used to success. Ottmar Hitzfeld’s team topped their qualification group despite a home loss to Luxembourg, but a recent friendly defeat at home by Norway suggests they need to improve.

Elsewhere in the betting world, it is worth looking at Horse Racing betting in the coming weeks with the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree Grand National just around the corner.