Confederations Cup: Spain to win another trophy

Currently seen by many observers as the top international team, Spain have the chance to pick up another trophy when they take part in the Confederations Cup in South Africa, beginning at the weekend.

Much maligned in the past, this years World Cup warm-up features both the European champions and World Cup holders Italy as well as Brazil and all three powerhouses have named very strong squads.

Spain, who scored six against Azerbaijan on Tuesday in a friendly fixture, are placed in the much weaker Group A against the hosts, Iraq and New Zealand.

Iraq have struggled, understandably, to maintain the heights reached in their historic Asian Cup success of 2007 that earned them a place in this tournament while New Zealand are set to suffer for a lack of exposure both as a team and individually to top level football.

Hosts South Africa should therefore reach the semi-finals and are showing some signs of slow improvement under coach Joel Santana, who has adopted a safety-first approach in a side that could struggle for goals in front of their home fans. 

For Spain, Andres Iniesta is their only major absentee, with Cesc Fabregas, Xavi, Fernando Torres and David Villa all part of a squad that is treating the competition very much as a dress rehearsal for next year.

"We have high hopes for this tournament. Winning the Confederations Cup would be a terrific morale boost ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup in South Africa," Villa told the official FIFA website.

Italy and Brazil meet the USA and Egypt in the other group.

The Italians are taking the opportunity to look at some new players while Dunga is hoping that Brazil can earn him some positive headlines at home with a repeat of his country's 2005 triumph.

Both may struggle to break down a USA side short on top quality players but who are a well-organised outfit used to playing together.

Spain however have not stopped showing their class since their Euro 2008 triumph and are currently breezing their way through World Cup qualification.

They are worthy favourites with the bookmakers and worth a bet at a best-priced 13/8 to do what many feel they will do again next year and triumph in South Africa.