World Cup 2006 Preview - Brazil

Outright Odds: 3/1
Group F Winners: 1/4

What else is there to be said about Brazil? They are the only team to have participated in every World Cup finals and are five times winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. They have also finished as runners up twice in 1950 and 1998.

Manager Carlos Alberto Parreira, who won it in 1994 has possibly a better squad of players at his disposal than he did 12 years ago and instead of Bebeto, Romario and Rai he now has Adriano, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. It is unlikely the man who has lead four different nations to the finals (Kuwait 1982, UAE 1990, Brazil 1994 and Saudi Arabia 1998) will be complaining.

Brazil start as clear favourites for the tournament and have attacking resources to frighten any opposing managers. As well as the trio already described, throw Kaka, Robinho, Roberto Carlos and Juninho into the mix and goals can come from literally anywhere on the pitch.

Qualification wasn