2014 World Cup Preview - A Look at Group D!

D is for Death and this is definitely the Group of Death of this World Cup - three former world champions and an unpredictable Central American side all in one. Nobody really knows how this group will turn out - will there be a shock in the making?

Italy
Squad -
GK - Gianluigi Buffon, Salvatore Sirigu, Mattia Perin
DF - Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, Christian Maggio,  Ignazio Abate, Mattia de Sciglio, Gabriel Paletta, Matteo Darmain
MF - Andrea Pirlo, Danielle de Rossi, Claudio Marchisio, Alberto Aquilani, Antonio Candreva, Marco Verratti, Marco Parolo, Thiago Motta
FW - Mario Balotelli, Antonio Cassano, Alessio Cerci, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile

Star Player - Giorgio Chiellini - it is not often that a star player is a defender but Cesare Prandelli's game plan is built on the champion Juventus back trio of Chiellini, Bonucci and Barzagli and in a group of death, defence, a pride and joy of Italian football will be vital. Captain Chiellini is the leader of the trio having almost secured a move to Real Madrid after an epic performance at EURO 2012 and another superb performance here could see him move to England or Spain.

Prognosis - Win the group and Italy's chances of progressing far in the tournament improve significantly, avoiding Brazil until the Final. They do have to face Spain, a side they've bowed out to in the last 2 consecutive tournaments. Quarterfinalists at best which would represent a satisfactory tournament performance for a potential dark force.

England
Squad -
GK - Joe Hart, Ben Foster, Fraser Forster
DF - Glen Johnson, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Phil Jagielka, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw
MF - Steven Gerrard, Jack Wilshere, Frank Lampard, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana, Ross Barkley
FW - Daniel Sturridge, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert

Star Player - Daniel Sturridge - it's been some time since an English striker scored 20 plus goals in the league with Sturridge forming a superb partnership at Liverpool with Luis Suarez. Sturridge will be up against Suarez this month but should still have a world class striker to partner with in Wayne Rooney. Sturridge has been able to build chemistry with whichever striker he is paired with and could really raise his stock further here.

Prognosis - A tough group tends to bring the best out of the Three Lions in any tournament. With very low expectations this time round, the scenario could not be better for Roy Hodgson's men who thrived as the underdogs when they were placed in a tough group at EURO 2012 - they can afford to play a more structured, dour style of football to get the results to make the 2nd round as runners-up. They could make it as far as the quarterfinals but will be found out by better opposition - potentially the hosts, Brazil.

Uruguay
Squad -
GK - Fernando Muslera, Martin Silva, Rodrigo Munoz
DF - Diego Lugano, Maxi Pereira, Diego Godin, Martin Caceres, Jorge Fucile, Sebastian Coates, Jose Maria Gimenez
MF - Diego Perez, Cristian Rodriguez, Walter Gargano, Alvaro Pereira, Egidio Arevaldo Rios, Alvaro Gonzalez, Gaston Ramirez, Nicolas Lodeiro
FW - Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez, Edinson Cavani, Abel Hernandez, Christian Stuani

Star Player - Gaston Ramirez - most people will mention Suarez or Cavani but with Cavani out of form and Suarez now unlikely to be match-fit, the rest of the team will now have to step up. Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez might have got all the plaudits for Southampton's stunning season, but Uruguay's attacking midfielder, Gaston Ramirez also played a vital part when fit. He'll be fresh after missing much of the season due to injury and will be key to providing Uruguay's creativity.

Prognosis - Suarez's shock surgery has definitely put a dent in Uruguay's chances even on their home continent. A fit Suarez means they should make it out but a lack of goals against a rugged Italy and organized England could be a hurdle too high to climb for the reigning Copa America champions.

Costa Rica
Squad -
GK - Keylor Navas, Patrick Pemberton, Daniel Cambronero
DF - Junior Diaz, Roy Miller, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Johnny Acosta, Cristian Gamboa, Oscar Duarte, Heiner Mora
MF - Celso Borges, Christian Bolanos, Jose Miguel Cubero, Michael Barrantes, Yeltsin Tejeda, Esteban Granados, Diego Calvo
FW - Bryan Ruiz, Randall Brenes, Joel Campbell, Marco Urena

Star Player - Joel Campbell - raised his profile after a stunning performance for Olympiakos in Athens against Manchester United, Campbell will be key to Costa Rica having any chance in this group of death. Already certain of a move to a better league in the summer, a great performance here could be good news for Olympiakos and a cash-strapped Greek Superleague.

Prognosis - The draw has been brutally tough for the exciting yet inconsistent Los Ticos. Things could be tough going outside of their home fortress at home.