2014 World Cup preview: Group C

Group C is one of the toughest to predict. Colombia is the prohibitive favorite to advance to the knockout stage, but Japan and Cote D’Ivoire offer stern competition and Greece, well we know they will be a devil to play against.

Colombia 

Colombia will be without the services of Radamel Falcao but manager Jose Pekerman still has plenty of firepower at his disposal, with Teófilo Gutiérrez, Adrian Ramos and Jackson Martinez all capable of filling the net. This will be Colombia’s first World Cup since 1998.

Formation: 4-4-2

Colombia has two formations to choose from, and with the skill set offered by his players, a 4-5-1 might make more sense for Peckerman. James Rodriguez, Macnelly Torres and Juan Cuadrado form a daunting, fast, midfield with an eye for the creative.

The Star: Jackson Martinez

The Porto star scored 29 goals this season and is on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs. At 27, Jackson is in the middle of his prime and can secure a big money move after the World Cup with a good performance in Brazil.

The Young Gun: James Rodriguez

At 22, James Rodriguez is scarily versatile. The Monaco youngster can play on the flank and in the middle, and has a knack for providing the key pass. His speed, dribbling skills and technical ability make him Colombia’s chief playmaker, drawing comparisons to Carlos Valderrama.

One To Watch: Adrian Ramos

Ramos’ club career is on the upswing. The former Hertha Berlin striker will replace Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund when the 2014/15 Bundesliga campaign begins. He has big shoes to fill there, but an even bigger task awaits at the World Cup. The absence of Radamel Falcao means a host of Colombia’s forwards will have to fill the void, including Ramos.  

Odds

Bodog has Colombia as 28/1 favorites to win the World Cup.

Outlook

Offensively, few teams rival Colombia’s firepower and the conditions in Brazil will suit them but an aging backline and no Falcao could be their undoing.

Greece

A cast of familiar characters lead Greece into Brazil, with Fernando Santos calling on Georgios Samaras, Giorgos Karagounis and Vasilis Torosidis for one more chance at glory.

Formation: 4-3-3

Greece relying on the counter attack? You don’t say. The manager may be different but the plan remains the same. Frustrate, confuse, and muddy the midfield in hopes of stealing a goal. Sounds familiar.

The Star: Georgios Samaras

Greek Jesus had a relatively normal year by his standards for Celtic, registering 11 goals in 33 appearances. He’s the guy that can create something out of nothing or get his head on a set piece. Samaras or bust.

The Young Gun: Sokratis Papastathopoulos

By Greece’s standards the 25-year-old Papastathopoulos is a young gun. He played an important role for injury ravaged Borussia Dortmund this season will be relied upon to lead the Greece defense.

One To Watch: Kostas Mitroglou

Mitroglou was supposed to save Fulham from relegation after the Cottagers paid Olympiakos a handsome price for his services. That didn't happen. His time with Fulham was an unadulterated disaster and he’ll will look to salvage his reputation in Brazil.

Odds

Bodog has Greece as 200/1 favorites to win the World Cup.

Outlook

Stranger things have...no, it won’t happen this time. No way.

Ivory Coast

Besides Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire boast the most talent in Group C. Yaya Toure is coming off a stunning season with Manchester City and the cast around him is better than it’s ever been. Les Elephants are primed to make history in Brazil.

Formation: 3-4-3 / 4-4-2

Sabri Lamouche has a wealth of options at forward, with Wilfried Bony, Gervinho, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou offering tremendous skill up front. In the midfield, it’s Yaya with Cheick Tiote and Max Gradel likely to slot in beside him.

The Star: Yaya Toure

Birthday cake scandal aside, Yaya Toure was the Premier League’s best midfielder this season. If Cote D’Ivoire is going to make it out of the group stage for the first time Yaya will need to be at his best.

The Young Gun: Serge Aurier

The 21-year-old is rumoured to be Bacary Sagna’s replacement at Arsenal and will have a chance to show his mettle for Cote D’Ivoire in Brazil. The right-back made more interceptions than Pablo Zabaleta, Seamus Coleman, Sagna and Branislav Ivanovic for Toulouse.

One To Watch: Didier Drogba

Drogba’s final chance to shine on the World’s stage will come in Brazil. Lamouche could turn to Bony or Gervinho if things turn south for the veteran.

Odds

Bodog has Cote D’Ivoire as 125/1 favorites to win the World Cup.

Outlook

If Colombia is the class of Group C, Les Elephants have to believe they are the second best team.

Japan

A blend of overseas based stars and J-League players make up Alberto Zaccheroni’s Squad for Brazil, who boast an average age of 27. That’s around the perfect mix of young and old, but can Japan get out of Group C?

Formation: 3-4-3 / 4-2-3-1

Zaccheroni’s best known for the 3-4-3, but based on his squad selection it appears the Italian will adopt a 4-2-3-1, with Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki playing behind a lone striker.

The Star: Keisuke Honda

Where Honda’s head is at will be the question after a turbulent season that saw him move from CSKA Moscow to AC Milan mid-season, where he failed to garner much playing time for a team mired in crisis. He’ll be relied upon in Brazil to be Japan’s talisman. Whether he is up for it is the question.

The Young Gun: Shinji Kagawa

Like Honda, Kagawa didn’t have a great season with his club. Manchester United sleptwalk throughout the season, and even then Kagawa found playing time hard to come by. Honda and Kagawa will make up two-thirds of Japan’s attacking trident. Hopefully for Zaccheroni’s sake, they let all of their frustrations out in a positive way.

One To Watch: Yoshito Okubo

The 31-year-old striker has been terrific for the Kawasaki Frontale. He’s played only once for Zaccheroni in four years, and his diminutive frame was thought to be a hindrance, but the inform Okubo is the choice over Mike Havenaar and Yohei Toyoda.

Odds

Bodog has Japan 150/1 favorites to win the World Cup.

Outlook

Japan will need their out of form players to shake off the cobwebs fast.