The biggest sporting event is in one month’s time so here’s a preview of Group G - a contender for the group of death title - featuring Germany, Portugal, Ghana and the USA. After finishing 2nd, 3rd and 3rd again in the last three tournaments respectively, Germany will be hoping that this is the year they finally perform to their expected potential and win a first World Cup since 1974. Portugal under Paulo Bento have an outside chance of winning the World Cup while Ghana and the USA will be hoping to get past the group stage at least.

Stars to look out for

Germany have one of the strongest squads in world football and will look to a host of stars to see them through the competition. With the likes of Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marco Reus, Mario Gotze, Miroslav Klose, Thomas Muller and more, Joachim Low will have a right to be confident.

As for Portugal, the star man is undoubtedly the 2013 Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, hot off another remarkable domestic season, the Real Madrid man will be looking to bring glory to his national side along with other stars in Joao Moutinho, Nani and Quaresma.

Ghana will rely on the likes of Kevin Prince-Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Kwando Asamoah and more while the USA - as they did in the last World Cup - will look to Toronto FC star, Clint Dempsey for inspiration.

Who could go through?

The winner of the group will more than likely be either Germany (1.50 @ Bet365.com) or Portugal (3.75 @ Bet365.com). Though the odds favour Germany, Portugal have showed in Euro 2012 that they could match Germany and were very unlucky to come away from that particular game with a close 1-0 defeat. As for Ghana and the USA, qualifying from the group seems a tough task as their odds of 3.75 @ Bet365.com clearly show.

World Cup winners?

It is possible that one of either Germany or Portugal - even if they have an outside chance - could win the World Cup from this group. Germany have the experience, quality, talent and hunger to go all the way while Portugal possess arguably the world’s best player in Cristiano Ronaldo who on a good day, can destroy any team’s defense. With that said however, Germany (6.50 @ Bet365.com) still have the better odds of winning the World Cup than Portugal (29.00 @ Bet365.com) and would be worth placing a bet on.

World Cup Group G Preview

16.06.2014 Germany-Portugal

17.06.2014 Ghana-United States

21.06.2014 Germany-Ghana

23.06.2014 United States-Portugal

26.06.2014 Portugal-Ghana

26.06.2014 United States-Germany