The obvious answer to that is ‘yes’ when you consider Spain (4/1 – World Cup outright) are the defending world champions and the likes of Holland, Germany and Italy all look strong.

But winning in South America is not as straightforward as in Europe and Brazil, on home soil, are rightly the early favourites at 7/2 overall for more glory in 2014.

But what of the European challenge?

Spain

Let’s start with the obvious. Spain are a fabulous team when at their best as they – eventually – showed at Euro 2012.

It took La Roja a while to get going this summer but, when they clicked, Spain were once again irresistable and virtually unplayable. Any side containing the talents of Xabi Alonso, David Silva, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta – to name just six – is going to take some beating.

When you consider Premier League stars Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla can barely get a look-in then you know you have something special.

Up front they also have what appears to be a rejuvenated Fernando Torres and, barring fresh injury setbacks, should be able to welcome David Villa back into the fold for the World Cup in 2014.

It is early to be predicting Spain can go all the way in Brazil, though, and there may be fresh doubts in two years’ time over what is an ageing squad.

However, the feeling is that this ultra-talented generation can enjoy one last hurrah and bow out in style in Rio.

Holland

Holland (12/1) were fancied to do well in Euro 2012 this summer but ended it with the unwanted tag of ‘heavyweight under-performers’ in a major tournament – there’s usually one -  after crashing out at the group stage.

This after they reached the World Cup final in 2010 and only lost out to Spain in extra time. There is no doubt they have the talent to make an impact come 2014 but much will depend on top striker Robin van Persie’s form and fitness.

The likes of Arjen Robben, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Rafael van der Vaart and Nigel de Jong add plenty of experience and guile but, come 2014, Holland’s hopes may rest with up-and-coming stars like Manchester United new-boy Alexander Buttner, Kevin Strootman of PSV and 20-year-old forward Ola John.

They are likely to advance to the knockout stage but don’t expect too much beyond that.

Italy

The Azzurri surprised many with their run to the final of the Euros and always seem to perform when it matters most in the big tournaments. Well, aside from the last World Cup anyway.

They remain a country to be feared on the world stage when they get it right and will no doubt unearth some new talent come 2014.

Andrea Pirlo was class personified in Poland and Ukraine but, at 33 now, is very unlikely to be around in Brazil so a replacement for him will need to be found.

Mario Balotelli may well develop into the free-scoring, world-class centre-forward some believe he can be come the World Cup, but, overall, unpredictable Italy (16/1) look a tad short of genuine quality players and game-changers to muscle in on the final stages.

Expect either another dramatic early exit with an abject group failure or an unexpected run to the semi-finals.

Germany

The Germans (8/1) looked like the side destined to battle it out with Spain for the Euro crown but ultimately disappointed when losing to Italy in the semi-finals earlier this summer.

When they are in top form, though, they are one of the best sides in the world and will be rightly feared in Brazil.

Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira will have benefited from a couple more years of big-game experience come 2014, while up-and-coming talent like Mario Gotze, Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus will be top international players in a few more years.

The three-times World Cup winners are always likely to be involved come the last eight and, from there, expect a big challenge from the Germans once again, with some astute pundits even tipping them as strong outsiders to lift the famous trophy once again.

The rest….

England (22/1) will no doubt have talked themselves up to believe a place in the last four is achievable in 2014 and there is no doubt emerging players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and even Liverpool teenager Raheem Sterling could be hyped up and tipped to carry the Three Lions through.

But with a cautious Roy Hodgson likely to be in charge and a squad very much in transition, another glorious failure – probably on penalties – at either the second-round or quarter-final stage, again, beckons.

Of the others, France (25/1) will always fancy their chances of making an impact while neighbours Belgium have what appears to be a ‘golden generation’ coming through with Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany, Maroune Fellaini, Thomas Vermaelen, Romelu Lukaku and Christian Benteke amongst others tipped to take them far in the competition.

Odds of 33/1 here do seem a little generous considering their ability and they might end up being lively outsiders.

Portugal, Turkey, Russia, Poland, Serbia and Croatia are all traditionally strong but, at this early stage, they look like qualifiers out of their groups at best and there isn’t much beyond that among Europe’s challengers to worry the rest of the world.

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Manchester City v Napoli

Four years after the Abu Dhabi United Group bought Manchester City they are finally dining with the big boys at Europe’s top table. Roberto Mancini managed to deal with the pressure put him on by the club’s mega-rich owners to secure Champions League football and is now looking to show what his star studded squad is capable of. If their Premier League form is anything to go by they should be more than a match for Napoli in a game they are 2/5 to win, with the Italians 8/1 and the draw 7/2.

Mancini’s summer editions have given City that extra bit of creativity they were lacking last season, with Samir Nasri and David Silva showing how deadly they can be together in their 5-1 rout of Tottenham. Up front they have added one of Europe’s deadliest strikers in Sergio Aguero, the Argentine having scored six goals in four appearances thus far. Mancini has an embarrassment of riches but these three look as though they will be key to City’s success in Europe.

Despite this being City’s maiden season in the Champions League you’d expect them to at least reach the knock out stages given the amount of experienced campaigners they have in their squad, with Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez having won the competition.

They have been drawn in a tough group, with Bayern Munich and Villarreal to come, but City start with, on paper, the easiest game they will have in Napoli at home. The Azzuri might have won at Cesena at the weekend but traditionally don’t travel well in Europe, managing one win in five Europa League matches last season. City should win this game, but they will have to keep Edison Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik quite if they are to assure three points. Aguero is on fire and at 4/1 to score first might be worth a look.

Benfica v Manchester United

United fans must have been laughing when they discovered who they would face in the group stages of this season’s Champions League. With games against Benfica, Otelul Galati and Basel to come you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d virtually been given a bye, hence why they are 2/7 to win Group C.

United will probably be happy to get their toughest group match out of the way first because Benfica are no mugs on their own ground. United know how dangerous Benfica can be having been knocked out by them in the group stages in 2005. However, with Chelsea to come on Sunday in the league and five more matches after Wednesday in the Champions League, Sir Alex Ferguson has hedged his bets for this one and will rotate his squad.

Rio Ferdinand has been left behind, while Darren Fletcher, Park ji-Sung, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov are poised to come into the starting XI. United are 10/11 for the win, which seems short when you consider Benfica’s home form – two defeats in 24 matches at the Estádio da Luz.

The Portuguese giants are 10/3 to cause an upset, with the draw 12/5. The Águias might have lost a couple of big names but they recruited well this summer and still have Oscar Cardozo on the books. A draw looks to be a safe bet, a result which will probably suit United.

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Liverpool trail Spurs by just one point but the Reds have a superior goal difference and a point at Craven Cottage would see them move into fifth, the only spot that comes with a Europa League place as a result of Birmingham’s Carling Cup win and Stoke’s upcoming FA Cup final appearance.

European football seemed beyond Liverpool just a few weeks ago but Spurs’ poor form has seen the Merseyside outfit close the gap and they will be desperate to bring European football to Anfield next season, even if it is not in the Champions League.

However, Fulham, who are 19/10 to secure the win, are a strong side on home soil and have enjoyed a return to form of late. The Cottagers have lost just three games at Craven Cottage this season and Liverpool will face a battle to take all three points on Monday night.

Fulham boss Mark Hughes is hopeful that Clint Dempsey, who has been struggling with a hamstring strain, will be fit to face the Reds. The American midfielder, who is 6/1 to score the first goal, is the Cottagers’ top scorer this season and Hughes will be eager for Dempsey to shrug off his injury complaint and take a place in the starting line up.

Brede Hangeland missed Fulham’s 3-0 win at Sunderland last time out through illness but is available to face Liverpool. Reds striker Andy Carroll is now fit following a knee problem and Hangeland’s aerial presence could be crucial in keeping the £35million January buy at bay during the showdown. Carroll is 13/8 to score at any time, while Fulham are 12/5 to keep a clean sheet.

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has reported no new injury concerns but the visitors will again be without Steven Gerrard, who has a groin problem, and Daniel Agger, who has a knee injury.

Both teams head into the fixture on Monday in decent form and Fulham, who are safe from the drop, will be keen to break into the top eight as they seek to finish the season strongly.

Liverpool have lost just once in their last six league fixtures, while Fulham have won their last two in a row and have been beaten just twice in their last eleven games.

It should be a tight affair but Liverpool’s need for points and the possibility of a place in Europe should inspire them to another victory under Dalglish, with Liverpool 7/5 to take all three points.

Champions League football may elude Liverpool this season but the signs look encouraging for next year with Messrs Carroll and Luis Suarez leading the attack. Dalglish is expected to become the club’s permanent manager following his successful temporary stint, and a spot in next season’s Europa League would be just reward for the Reds’ efforts since the Scottish manager took control.

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Here are the top five games taking place on the continent that are worth checking out.

Almeria v Real Madrid (6pm)

Jose Mourinho’s side sit two points behind rivals Barcelona in the race for the Primera Liga crown (Real 6/4 Outright) after 18 matches and they will be fully expected to leap-frog Pep Guardiola’s side for a short time on Sunday when they travel to face lowly Almeria.

Real have won six on their travels so far, while second-bottom Almeria have no wins on home soil from their opening eight matches to date so it appears that an away-day banker is on the cards.

Prediction: Cristiano Ronaldo 1st Goal & Real To Win 3-0 Scorecast @ 14/1

Barcelona v Malaga (8pm)

The reigning champions (1/2 Outright) are not expected to be off top spot for too long on Sunday as their home game against lowly Malaga kicks off shortly after Real’s game against Almeria concludes.

Barca have been in good form of late with a 4-0 win at Deportivo La Coruna last weekend consolidating their two point lead at the top of the table.

They should have far too much for Malaga, but it might not be as clear-cut as you would think as the opposition go into the match having won their last away game 2-1 at Sporting Gijon, while Barca struggled to see of Levante 2-1 in their last outing at the Nou Camp.

Prediction: Barca To Win 3-1 @ 11/1

Marseille v Bordeaux (8pm)

We will take a giant leap across The Pyrenees and into the south of France for our next game as the only match on Sunday sees a clash between two sides firmly embroiled in what is becoming a very congested battle for the French Ligue 1 crown.

Marseille (21/10 French Ligue 1 Outright) sit in fifth position but are only three points off Lille in top spot ahead of this weekend’s action which brings an end to the winter break.

Marseille went into the break having drawn two on the bounce, while seventh-placed Bordeaux did the same so it is set to be a close encounter at the Stade Velodrome.

Bordeaux could jump above Marseille in the table with a win so it is all to play for.

Prediction: Draw 1-1 @ 5/1

Lecce v AC Milan (7.45pm)

Into Italy’s Serie A now and all eyes will be on lowly Lecce as they look to try and slow down the Rossoneri’s march towards the title (10/11 Serie A Outright) on Sunday evening.

Milan are four points clear of the chasing pack but returned from the winter break last weekend looking out-of-sorts as they were forced to fight back from 3-1 down to eventually snatch an injury-time 4-4 draw against Udinese at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Lecce may sit third-bottom in the table but they stunned third-placed Lazio with a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico to boost their survival fight.

It is set to be closer than you would think but Milan should just about nick it.

Prediction: Milan To Win 2-1 @ 7/1

Eintracht Frankfurt v Hannover (2.30pm)

Moving up to Germany’s Bundesliga and, with Borussia Dortmund 13 points clear at the top, it does not look like there will be much of a title race in the second half of the campaign.

However, there is still an interesting battle for the Champions League and Europa League places going on beneath them and these two sides are firmly in the mix.

Eintracht Frankfurt are in seventh spot – but only seven points off second position – while Hannover are sitting pretty in fourth on 31 points.

Frankfurt inflicted Dortmund’s first away defeat of the season after eight successive wins just before the winter break in December so will return to action brimming with confidence after that 1-0 success.

Hannover have won four and lost four with no draws on their travels to date, but lost 3-1 at Nuremberg last time out on December 18.

Everything points to a home win, but I feel the visitors are long overdue an away-day draw.

Prediction: Draw @ 23/10

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The gap at the top though is only two points so it is up to Real to keep up the pressure in their pursuit of their fierce rivals, although they face a tough test this weekend when they take on Villarreal, who may have aspirations of sneaking second place.

On the face of it, Jose Mourinho has enjoyed a successful start to the season having garnered 44 points from 17 games, while also leading the club through the Copa del Rey and Champions League group stages.

The capital club have a perfect home record and have suffered just one defeat all season – but they are always going to be compared to their arch rivals and at the moment are playing second fiddle, while that one defeat was a hammering at the Nou Camp.

Real have meted out some punishment in eight home wins out of eight but the Yellow Submarines have only been beaten three times this season, look a massive price at 17/2 to pull off a shock win.

Villarreal are currently third in the league and have a five-point cushion over fourth-placed Valencia, who themselves are three clear of the chasing pack, so there is less pressure on the visitors at the Bernabeu on Sunday and they may be able to take advantage.

Real’s home record does look imposing, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo in fine scoring form this season, but Villarreal are worth backing with a goal start at 11/4.

Getafe probably did not want the winter break to come as they went into it as a form side in the division, on a five-match unbeaten streak including four wins on the bounce.

The Madrid minnows did lose on their return to action but there is no disgrace in coming off second best against their more illustrious neighbours, going down 3-2 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Defeat at the hands of Real Betis in the Copa del Rey in midweek can work in their favour as they can now focus on an improving league campaign, which sees the club occupy seventh place in the table just one point off European qualification.

The recent good run also saw some notable scalps in Sevilla away and Villarreal and the Dark Blues can take the three points on Sunday against a struggling Osasuna side.

Jose Antonio Camacho’s men have struggled for goals this season, lie in 16th place just four points above the drop zone and Getafe can take advantage at 17/10 for the win.

Over recent seasons, Inter Milan have ruled the roost in Italy but Rafa Benitez has failed to fill the shoes of Jose Mourinho and the club lie in seventh, a massive 13 points behind arch rivals AC Milan.

The Nerazzurri have struggled on the road in particular and Catania, who have lost just once at the Stadio Angelo Massimino, can spring a surprise at 13/5 to make home advantage count on Sunday.

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