World Cup preview, Group F: Bosnia and Herzegovina

We're expecting good things from Edin Dzeko and company.

Top Man Edin Dzeko. Who else? The Bosnian is much derided at Manchester City but there’s no doubting that he scores the big goals when it counts most. Dzeko’s role in City’s title triumph was pivotal, given the constant injury problems of Sergio Aguero and Alvaro Negredo’s drastic loss of form from January onwards. Dzeko has an excellent strike rate for the national team, having scored 33 goals in just 60 appearances, and at 28 is at the peak of his powers. While he won’t win any prizes for subtlety, Dzeko’s prowess in front of goal should concern the defences of Nigeria, Iran and Argentina. Rising star We’re going to cheat here a bit and go for 24-year-old Miralem Pjanic, who is coming off the back of an excellent season for Roma. The 24-year-old has almost 50 international appearances under his belt already, with eight goals to his name, and this is the kind of thing you’re getting. http://youtu.be/Djq-MkbPh4o He has, of course, been linked with the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham and a good World Cup could see him leave Serie A for England or Spain for big money. Did you know? Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic speaks four languages – Bosnian, French, German and English – and spent much of his childhood in Canada. In fact, he almost represented Canada until the country of his birth stepped in. Reasons for Irish fans to support them They’re the only European team in the group, they’ve had a rough time with floods lately (no more than ourselves) and they always had our backs at the Eurovision. If they were a TV series Arrested Development. A bit of an unknown quantity that became a massive hit due to its high energy formula – Bosnia’s youthful squad could be one of the surprises of the World Cup. Prediction They’ll finish second in the group, and who knows after that… Odds with Ladbrokes: 150/1