FIFA World Cup 2010: Spain Gets Easy Draw With Group H

Finally, the wait is over. In a World Cup draw presented by Hollywood star Charlize Theron that has reportedly attracted over 350 million viewers from 190 countries, Spain have been drawn in Group H alongside Honduras, Chile, and Switzerland.

Spain, the highest ranked team in the world, have been given a fairly easy task with Honduras, who are currently ranked 38th in the world, Chile who are ranked 17th in the world, and Switzerland who are currently the 18th best team in the world .

On paper, Chile and Switzerland would pose the biggest threats with their higher ranking than Honduras, but the Hondurans should not be ruled out with their Premier League and Serie A stars.

Either way, it should be an easy group for La Selección Española , who have won an incredible 39 out of 44 matches since the start of 2007, and are considered favourites to win the pinnacle of world football, the FIFA World Cup.

A group perhaps made easier by the fact that Hispanic sides Honduras and Chile play a similar style of football to the Spanish, making the Spaniards' task that bit easier, as their tactics will not have to be altered quite as considerably as they will with a Central European team like Switzerland.

Looking at the three other teams in Group H, second place could well be up for grabs after the majority of fans have dubbed this draw a "bye" for the Spaniards.

Honduras

Honduras are currently the highest ranked team from Central America, sitting in 38th place with 738 ranking points.

Spain will most certainly expect a win, and perhaps a quite convincing one, against the Hondurans, although there are a few individuals on the Honduras side that could worry Spain boss Vicente del Bosque.

Premier League stars Wilson Palacios (Tottenham Hotspur), Hendry Thomas (Wigan Athletic) and Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic), as well as Inter Milan striker David Suazo could cause a few problems for the Spanish, with the latter scoring 16 goals in 49 appearances for his country.

However, with Suazo the only significant attacking threat, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos and co. will not have to much to worry about from their match with the Hondurans.

The biggest concern will be whether attacking stars David Villa, David Silva, Fernando Torres, Andres Iniesta, etc., are able to break down a strong defensive unit that includes £16m valued holding midfielder Wilson Palacios and highly rated defender Maynor Figueroa.

But if the big stars are on their game and players like Xavi decide to get forward as well, Spain should have no problems in defeating Honduras.

Chile

They are highest ranked team apart from Spain in Group H, and could well pose the Spanish some problems having finished in second place in the South American qualifying group, ahead of the likes of Argentina and Uruguay.

As a team, they look like a strong unit, with the ability to grind out results and beat some big names in the likes of Argentina, ranked nine places above them.

In their qualifying campaign, they won the most matches in the group, more than Brazil in fact, with 10 wins from 18 games.

However, they weren't the greatest team defensively, leaking 22 goals, and don't have the most experienced backline.

These defensive issues, coupled with their lack of individual superstars and failure to record major success in World Cup competitions (third place when hosting the 1962 World Cup being their highest), could count against the Chileans in South Africa.

As is the same with Honduras, if Spain's attacking stars are on form, they should have no problems in dispatching Chile.

Switzerland

A slightly different opponent for Spain, the Swiss are ranked just one place below Chile, in 18th with 924 ranking points.

Their Central European location means the style of football they play is different to the aforementioned sides, therefore meaning Switzerland will be the toughest game for Spain.

If Switzerland's hero Alexander Frei can stay fit, then he could be handful for the likes of Sergio Ramos, Carles Puyol, Raul Albiol, etc. The FC Basel striker has scored a brilliant 40 goals in 70 appearances for Schweizer Nati , and will be fundamental if they are to secure second place in Group H.

For the encounter with the Swiss, it will need to be a more all-round convincing performance from Spain if they are to get all three points from this one.

Switzerland have good defenders in centre-back pairing Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos, both currently in the Premier League with Arsenal, meaning they will be a tougher proposition for the likes of Fernando Torres and David Villa.

However, if Spain have the strong desire to win this match, then there is no reason whatsoever why they shouldn't.

Overall, La Selección Española have been given an easy group; a group they should in theory be comfortably winning.

Although then again, it isn't Group H the Spaniards will be worrying about.

Ahead of the greatest spectacle in football, the big question is: can Spain get rid of their tag as perennial underachievers and win the 2010 FIFA World Cup?