It will be an epic tactical showdown between two of the most prominent managers in the world, not to mention how exhilarating it sounds to have a remake of the 2010 World Cup final on day one. The Group B opening clash would witness some quality matchups, with the likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie on stage.

Vicente Del Bosque will have an embarrassment of riches when selecting his Spain XI, with the likes of David Silva, Cesc Fabregas, Juan Mata and probably Diego Costa poised to drop to the bench. Skipper Iker Casillas is a certain starter between the posts, while Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique are expected to be in the heart of defense, with Cesar Azpilicueta right and Jordi Alba left. Del Bosque’s preferred 4-3-3 will routinely include an intimidating midfield comprising Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso and Xavi.

Upfront, the left flank is probably reserved for 2010 final hero Andres Iniesta, while Barcelona’s Pedro – top scorer in qualifying – has always been trusted by Del Bosque for the right wing. While La Furia Roja’s footballing identity remains as clear as day, the big question is still how will Del Bosque manage his center of attack?

After scoring both goals in the final warm-up win over El Salvador, Spain’s all-time leading goalscorer David Villa could be given the nod ahead of Atletico Madrid mate Diego Costa, with the latter just recovering from injury last week. That said, the Brazilian-born Diego Costa – yet to make his competitive debut – will be Spain’s man to watch in Salvador, with plenty of other options for the holders in the second half.

The injury of key midfielder Kevin Strootman has hit the Dutch hard forcing manager Louis van Gaal to develop an uncommon 3-4-3 formation for the Brazil finals. With the mission of tackling Spain’s mesmerizing frontline, three men may be deployed at the back in Stefan de Vrij, Ron Vlaar and Bruno Martins Indi, with the inexperienced Jasper Cillessen in goal. The promising Daley Blind should be the man to fill the left wing-back role, with Daryl Janmaat on the other side.

Nigel de Jong is Van Gaal’s number one defensive midfielder as Premier League duo Leroy Fer and Jonathan de Guzman vie with Feyenoord youngster Jordy Clasie for the other midfield spot. While Van Gaal hopes his side will do their defensive homework, three men will be handed the task of inspiring the Dutch in attack – a formidable trio of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie.

Some teams struggle to find two fit attackers at a time while others have a surplus of strikers. Some players are over-qualified at bottom clubs while others hardly deserve to be in the Premier League.

For a change of pace, here are some transfers that might be ideal for both player and club.

1. Andrei Arshavin to Swansea

It is utterly unfair to see a forward who can score four goals at Anfield rot in the Arsenal reserves just because Arsene Wenger could only see him as a ‘victim of high competition’.

Despite having a Russia captain on board at the Emirates, Wenger has succeeded in turning his once new-Thierry-Henry into a fringe player unwanted by any side in the Premier League.

Now let’s have a look at Michael Laudrup’s exciting Swansea team, where target man Michu is supported by a bunch of decent wide players like Pablo Hernandez, Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge. The presence of a creative playmaker like Arshavin in the center behind the Spaniard could add another dimension to this Welsh club.

2. Scott Sinclair to Liverpool

The once England wonderkid has been told he can leave Manchester City only three months after making an £8million switch from Swansea…what an embarrassment!

Scott Sinclair was a talisman for Brendan Rodgers’ Swansea before his big move made him one of the top benchwarmers of the Premier League. A quality talent wasted for the sake of some extra pounds.

At Anfield, Raheem Sterling is only 18 while Luis Suarez is a natural center-forward, but if Rodgers managed to bring his former star to Anfield, Liverpool’s left-wing position will be quite a force to reckon with alongside Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

3. Yohan Cabaye to Chelsea

Frank Lampard is all but leaving Chelsea in the summer and one player who can be considered the nearest to the caliber of the Stamford Bridge legend would be Yohan Cabaye.

No doubt that after watching Demba Ba agonizingly leave to London, Alan Pardew will be doing everything he can to hold on to his midfield schemer. However, if Roman Abramovich can spend £50million for the services of Fernando Torres, the Newcastle number four would definitely be worth a big-money move.

4. Jonathan De Guzman to Manchester United

For years Sir Alex Ferguson has been desperately looking for a new Paul Scholes; the all-round midfielder who can score goals and provide resilient defending in midfield.

Shinji Kagawa is more of a forward. Michael Carrick is a pedestrian midfielder. Anderson can hardly play two games in a row and Tom Cleverley is barely a solid defender.

Jonathan De Guzman has been a terrific recruit for Swansea and if Ferguson managed to snap him up from the Liberty Stadium where he’s currently on loan from Villarreal, the Dutchman could provide the missing balance in United’s midfield.

5. Christian Benteke to Everton

Whether Aston Villa stay up or go down, Christian Benteke should not remain at Villa Park after proving his credentials as a veritable battering ram.

On the other hand, Nikica Jelavic has not been consistent at Goodison Park and with the potential exit of star man Marouane Fellaini, Benteke could be David Moyes’ man.

Since Yakubu Aiyegbeni, the increasingly-ambitious Everton have missed the type of center forward who can bang in +15 goals per season and the big Belgian seems like an ideal match for the Toffees.

6. Julio Cesar to Arsenal

The Brazilian is way overqualified to play Championship football next season, with QPR staring relegation in the face. But more importantly, Wojciech Szczesny has been anything but a steadfast choice between the sticks for Arsenal while his compatriot Lukasz Fabianski would make a great League One goalie.

Cesar could be just what Arsenal needs this summer.

7. Stephen Ireland to Wigan

For a player who was voted Manchester City Player of the Season only four years ago, Stephen Ireland has been a terrible underachiever since leaving the Citizens.

Regular football is the central midfielder’s only means of regaining anything of his lost form and Wigan’s one-dimensional midfield pairing of McCarthy-McArthur may be in need of the creativity the little Irishman can provide…that is, of course, if the Latics avoid relegation. 

8. Ryan Shawcross to Tottenham Hotspur

At 25, Ryan Shawcross is a quite a prospect to lead England’s backline in the near future, but is it time for the big defender to move to the next level before it’s too late?

The center-half would certainly kick his game up several notches if he played in Europe with Tottenham, who are likely to be without William Gallas next term.

9. Wilson Palacios to Everton

In Phil Neville and Darron Gibson, Everton hardly have a tenacious tackler behind an attack-minded midfield comprising the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Leon Osman and Steven Pienaar.

While at the Britannia, the tireless effort of a player like Wilson Palacios is doing no more than serving Stoke City’s reserves. After proving himself at Wigan and then Spurs, he deserves another chance to make a difference.