Chile World Cup Team Preview Odds To Win

Chile

Odds to Win World Cup: +6600

The last time that we saw the Chileans in the World Cup was in 1998 in France. Since that point, their nation has been in decline in terms of soccer prowess. However, a return to South Africa this year brings renewed hope, and a relatively easy draw could be parlayed into a trip into soccer's version of the Sweet 16.

How They Got Here: If you had asked any soccer pundit which team would log the most wins in South America in qualifying, at best, Chile would've been the fourth choice behind Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. However, that's exactly what happened. Yes, the Chileans often got into some trouble with their attacking style, but scoring 32 goals produced a South American zone best ten wins, which was more than enough to snare an automatic qualifying spot to this tournament.

Player to Watch: Ten of those 32 goals were tallied by F Humberto Suazo. The striker now has 17 goals in 41 career appearances for his nation, and he has made a huge difference in club sides around the globe during his career. After scoring 52 goals for Colo-Colo, he moved on to Monterrey in Mexico and tallied 44 times in 85 matches. Real Zaragoza had Suazo on loan this past season, where he scored six goals in 17 matches.

Previous World Cup Experience: Chile will be making its seventh appearance in the World Cup. Three draws earned its way into the second stage in France in '98, but that was the first time that the side had made it to the knockout round of the tournament since 1962, when it finished in third place overall when it hosted the event. The Chileans only have 27 goals in 25 matches, and they haven't actually netted three points from a match since that 1962 run to the semifinals.

Key to Advancing: Chile is going to have to show no fear in qualifying. The match between it and Switzerland is going to be a very interesting contrast between high-octane offense and a slower, defensive clip. If the Chileans hope to advance, three points against Honduras is a must. At that point, there is going to have to be a result somewhere along the way, and the only way that that happens is by using Suazo and that attacking style to make their foes uncomfortable.

Predictions: We always prefer an attacking side that is willing to go for broke than one that sits back and just tries to take advantage of mistakes. Even if Chile only draws Switzerland and ends up with four points, we like its chances of surviving in Group H as long as Spain does its job and sweeps the group away. However, a second round date with one of Brazil, Portugal, or Ivory Coast will absolutely do the Chileans in. Still, a trip to the second round of this tournament would be considered a huge triumph back home.

Round 1 Schedule
Honduras vs. Chile (June 16th, 7:30 AM ET, Nelspruit)
Chile vs. Switzerland (June 21st, 10:00 AM ET, Nelson Mandela Bay)
Chile vs. Spain (June 25th, 2:30 PM ET, Mangaung)

All Odds for 2010 World Cup from Brobury Sports

Odds to Win Group H
Chile +450
Honduras +2800
Spain -400
Switzerland +900
Odds to Advance Group H
Chile -155
Honduras +400
Spain -5000
Switzerland +175