World Cup Preview - Group B - Chile

Nickname: “La Roja (The Red One)”

Absurd FIFA ranking: 13th

Coach: Argentine supremo Jorge Sampaoli

Game Schedule:
June 13 – Chile vs. Australia (Culaba, 6:00 p.m. EST, ESPN2)
June 18 – Chile vs. Spain (Port Elizabeth, 3:00 p.m., ESPN)
June 25 – Chile vs. Netherlands (Sao Paulo, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)

Prospects: After the second successive strong CONMEBOL qualification campaign in a row, Chile has emerged as a dark horse in the Group of Death Light. Chile will keep the two heavyweight favorites Spain and The Netherlands looking over their shoulders; any slip-ups and La Roja could easily send one of them home early. Their success is largely based on a prolific attack, spearheaded by Barcelona's Alexis Sanchez. Add to that a strong defensive spine with plenty of World Cup tournament experience and Chile could turn some heads.

Key Player: Juve's Artur Vidal is the complete, box-to-box midfielder. He keeps the Chilean engine humming.

Youngster to watch: I'd like to have a look at FC Twente's 23 year old speedy right back/winger Felipe Gutierrez.

Who Will Get the Goals: The combination of Barcelona winger Alexis Sanchez and Valencia striker  Eduardo Vargas should do the business for La Roja.

Who Will Get the Cards: Cardiff City clogger Gary Medel.

Prediction: Chile could easily knock out one of the tournament favorites and I hesitate to make this prediction, but I see Chile just falling short at the last group match against The Netherlands.