The biggest sporting event is in one month’s time so here’s a preview of Group D, featuring Italy, England, Uruguay and Costa Rica. The Azzurri will be looking for a second World Cup in 8 years while Roy Hodgson’s men would want to at least reach the last four, having not won a World Cup since 1966. Uruguay will be looking to repeat the heroics of the 2010 World Cup while Costa Rica would want to leave Brazil with their heads held high.

Stars to look out for

Italy possess one of the strongest squads in the tournament and their performances will no doubt, be influenced how the likes of Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo, Daniele De Rossi and company perform in Brazil. As for England, the three lions have always possessed a star studded squad but on the international stage, have always underperformed. This year will be no different as the likes of Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana and more, will all travel to the World Cup.

With Uruguay, they have quality spread out throughout their squad but the key men will definitely be Liverpool man, Luis Suarez and PSG forward, Edinson Cavani. Lastly, Costa Rica’s hopes will lie with Bryan Ruiz and Arsenal loanee, Joel Campbell.

Who could go through?

With this group, anything is possible as far as who qualifies to the round of 16. As far as betting odds go, Italy 1.40 @ Bet365.com and Uruguay 1.50 @ Bet365.com are the ones most likely to qualify from Group D with England’s odds being a close 1.57 @ Bet365.com. Anything can happen in those matches however and in the end, whoever does eventually go through will have worked very hard to do so. Costa Rica will more than likely finish bottom of the group as their odds of qualifying are a meager 10.00 @ Bet365.com compared to the rest of Group D.

World Cup winners?

In this group, three teams are likely to win the World Cup even if two of those teams have an outside chance. Italy are the favourites from this group as they have better odds of qualifying from the group and going on to win the World Cup as their odds of 26.00 @ Bet365.com. Despite being likely to finish 3rd in the group, England have odds of 29.00 @ Bet365.com and with a bit of luck, they could do it as well. Uruguay also have odds of 29.00 @ Bet365.com but aren’t to be counted out as they finished 4th in the World Cup last year but in all probability, Italy are the only ones with a chance of going all the way simply because of their superior squad and team chemistry.

World Cup 2014 Group D Fixture

14.06.2014 Uruguay-Costa Rica

15.06.2014 England-Italy

19.06.2014 Uruguay-England

20.06.2014 Italy-Costa Rica

24.06.2014 Costa Rica-England

24.06.2014 Italy-Uruguay