There might only be eight teams taking part, but the fact that the four South African grounds are hosting British and Irish Lions rugby matches at a similar time makes the logistics more difficult. The pitches are sure to be under greater scrutiny than usual.

The home side’s team will also be under examination. A host nation has reached at least the semi finals in the last three World Cups and Bafana Bafana will be under pressure to perform well on home soil next year.

South Africa should progress from a group that also contains Spain, Iraq and New Zealand. New Zealand’s presence in the event owes much to the fact that Australia now qualify for the World Cup through the Asian zone – the Kiwis are not the strongest team in Oceania and should be edged out by South Africa. Iraq won the 2007 Asian Cup but do not travel well and defeat by the hosts in the tournament curtain-raiser will surely end their qualification hopes.

It would be a major surprise if Brazil and Italy do not progress from Group B. Both teams have named full strength squads and should have too much for Egypt and United States in a group that is far stronger than the one which contains the hosts.

Brazil have won the Confederations Cup on two of the last five occasions, including in Germany in 2005 (both their wins have come in events held the year before World Cups). They will be well-motivated to lay another marker before the main event and are safely on top of the South American qualification table, having scored nine goals in their last three matches.

World Cup holders Italy (http://betting.betfair.com/football/world-cup-2010/football-betting-briefing-30th-march-3rd-april-crucial-wor-290309.html) are also on top of their qualification group. However, they have been far from convincing recently and have not progressed since winning in Germany in 2006. They need a good performance in this event to prove they are serious contenders for the big one.

Spain are certainly serious contenders. They are the world’s form team and will be keen to maintain a winning streak against nations from around the world. They are rightly favourites for this tournament and wins against Brazil and Italy would perhaps see them become the team to beat next year.

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