Today in the first of 8 blogs, I will look at one of the favorites in Brazil.  They will kick of their tourney on June 15 at 10:00 against Egypt at the Free State Stadium.  They are also joined in Group B with Italy and the United States.

On that date, Brazil will set out to turn a lackluster 7 years and win another major international trophy.  Brazil are the world's most successful World Cup side.  Having won 5 World Cups thus far, only Italy is close with 4.  In this trial run into the World Cup, Brazil will look to solidify a lineup that needs just a little bit of tweaking.  Recent years haven't been as great for the Brazilians, but that doesn't mean that they can't come back and take the tourney with real ease.

Strength- With the Brazilians, there is a certain flare that is always mentioned.  Their form of art is the samba and that is exactly how their attack has been played for decades.  The likes of Pele and Ronaldo have played this way.  And now the torch is about to be passed to a new man.  Alexandre Pato will look to run with that torch at the Confederations Cup.  In the attack with Pato will be Kaka and Robinho.  Brazil's squad isn't all the way full-strength, but it's close to it.  Also, Luis Fabiano will look to prove a point in this one.  If he gets to start, then he can put on a show with his large frame and rocket shot.

Weakness- No surprise, it's the defence.  They have tons of guys from top European clubs, but that doesn't matter here.  They'll likely start Dani Alves, Lucio, Juan, and Maicon.  Alves plays for Barca and is very suspect in defence, but not in the attack.  Brazil can't afford to go all-out attack because Juan and Lucio are just way too weak in the back to have eight attacking all the time.  They can not put too much pressure of the key player, or they are in trouble.

Player to Watch- This one is easy to pick.  Whenever Brazil is involved with a tourney, you have to look at their keeper.  In the past, Brazil have never really had a good 'keeper.  But that all has finally changed.  Julio Caesar, Inter Milan's goalkeeper, has been veyr impressive with his club form over the last two seasons and could prove to actually be an asset to the Brazilians cause.  If he were to get hurt, Brazil would likely play the wonderful Heurelho Gomes of Tottenham, who's form is almost the same as Dida's.  If Caesar can just save the ones that he is supposed to Brazil will have a relatively good chance at great things.  So, that is why Julio Caesar is the Player to Watch.

Prediction- In the group of death that is Group B, Brazil will pull through with either 7 or 9 points and come out in first place.

Thanks, it's been Keeper and I'm out.