Our analysis of Group E continues this morning as we cast an eye over rank outsiders, Honduras. Luis Fernando Suarez’ side square up to group favourites France in their opener on Sunday June 15 at 5pm, then go head-to-head with Ecuador five days later at 11pm before taking on Switzerland on Wednesday June 25 at 9pm:
Road to Qualification
Suarez’ side progressed through a couple of qualifying groups before clinching their place in next month’s tournament. They topped a four-team group containing Panama, Canada and Cuba by winning three and drawing two of their six matches and made their way into the final CONCACAF group, which contained USA, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama and Jamaica. Finishing third, they scored 13 times and conceded 12, with the highlights a home win over the US and a a 2-1 triumph in Mexico helping to secure their passage for the second successive World Cup.
Most StartsNoel Valladares, Roger Espinoza (10), Victor Bernardez, Oscar Garcia, Luis Garrido, Carlo Costly (9), Maynor Figueroa, Emilio Izaguirre, Arnold Peralta (7), Wilson Palacios, Jerry Bengston (6)
Most Goals Carlo Costly, Jerry Bengston (4)
Most Assists Roger Espinoza (3)
The Key Targets
Suarez side tend to set up in a 4-4-2 formation, with the occasional switch to a 4-4-1-1 offering a tactical alternative. The Hondurans took on Brazil in a friendly last November and, having opted to go on the offensive, were hammered 5-0 – a result that will merely re-enforce their defensively-minded tactics and should ensure they will sit deep and hit their opponents on the counter. Since then, they’ve drawn with 2-2 with Ecuador and beaten Venezuela before losing against Turkey earlier this week.
Fantasy managers will be understandably dubious over their prospects, though in Celtic’s Emilio Izaguirre, the Hondurans have a player in very strong form. The left-back – who is available for 5.0 in FantasyiTeam, served up 12 assists in 2013/14 for the Scottish champions and is afforded plenty of attacking license for his country. Izaguirre is the standout option amongst a backline which also contains Rangers’ Arnold Peralta, Hull’s Maynor Figueroa (utilised as a centre-half) and Victor Bernardez, with the Rangers defender the cheapest of that trio in FantasyiTeam at 4.6.
Further up the field, Wigan’s Roger Espinoza (4.7 in FantasyiTeam) will tuck in on the left flank, allowing Izaguirre to bomb forward, whilst Luis Garrido and Stoke’s Wilson Palacios offer plenty of protection to the back-four by sitting deep and covering for overlapping full-backs. The latter two are available for 5.0 and 5.1 respectively in FantasyiTeam but offer little in the way of attacking potential to justify investment. Both Garrido and right winger Oscar Garcia missed the recent friendly against Turkey due to injury but the pair are expected to be fit in time for the opener with France – Garcia will set you back 4.8 in FantasyiTeam and a move to a 4-4-1-1 could see him shifted off the flank and into the role in “the hole” behind a lone frontman.
Carlo Costly and Jerry Bengston, who come in at 6.8 and 6.7 respectively FantasyiTeam, will lead the line in a 4-4-2, though the latter looks more likely to retain his spot in the XI if Suarez moves to a lone forward set-up. Both players notched four goals apiece in the second qualifying group, though Costly – who also scored twice in the recent friendly draw with Ecuador – started nine times compared to Bengston’s six. Both France and Switzerland have impressed at the back of late, though, suggesting the Ecuador game may be the only source of attacking returns.
The Long Shots
Anderlecht’s Andy Najar is by no means a guaranteed starter but could benefit from either injuries or a change in tactics. The 21-year-old, who is regarded as the big hope of Honduran football, deputised for the stricken Garcia on the right against the Turks and could retain the role if the latter fails to recover in time. Alternatively, a tactical switch to 4-1-4-1 would see Espnoza move into the midfield four and hand Najar – priced at 4.8 in FantasyiTeam – the chance to shine.
Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico
Group B – Australia, Chile, Holland, Spain
Group C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Group D – Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay
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