Impressive young Everton manager Roberto Martinez has tipped Brazil to win the World Cup as the host nation, believing that they will be greatly aided by the South American conditions expected at the tournament, which gets under way on June 12.
Martinez, 40, told his club’s official fanzine: “If it were in Europe then I coudn’t see a winner apart from Spain or Germany but it is in South America and I can’t see anyone winning apart from a South American team.”
“It’s not about the level it’s about how they will adapt to the conditions. Brazil have to be the favourites.”
In a further offer of his opinions, Martinez went on to say that in the Confederations Cup last year: “Spain couldn’t cope with Brazil. It is so unpredictable this World Cup with the unknown quantity of Belgium. Are they a team yet? “
“Will Messi reach his level at Argentina? It’s still hard to look past Brazil.”
