The bets are on and the favorites to win the FIFA World Cup this summer have been placed. The top five teams expected to win are as follows: Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Spain and Belgium.

Spain is the current defending champion and despite being the team placed with the fourth-best chance of winning, there are a number of arguments that could be made in La Furia Roja's favor.

Here are those reasons:

1. Championship mentality

One of the big questions that has dominated coverage of Spain prior to the tournament is how coach Vicente del Bosque will motivate this team to win after it has managed to alter history. Prior to Spain's victory in the 2012 Euro Cup, no other team in the sport's history had accomplished the feat of winning three straight major trophies. Not even Pele's Brazil of 1958-1970.

The Spanish team that is playing in this tournament will likely be similar to the one winning the last few tournaments. Iker Casillas will still be in goal; Xavi and Andres Iniesta will link up in the midfield while Sergio Busquets and Xabi Alonso will provide support in the deeper midfield. Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique will also be on hand to provide steady support on defense. This is a battle-tested squad that knows how to win despite the odds.

2. Swan Song

Never underestimate the power of a team on its last legs. Back in 1970, the greatest soccer player ever performed in his final tournament and put up his finest display of soccer. That man was Pele,  and the futbol legend helped Brazil raise its third World Cup. This is probably the last time that Spain fields the majority of these players. Xavi, Alonso, Iniesta and Casillas will likely not be back in four years when the team heads to Russia. They might not even be around in two years for the 2016 Euro. They will not want to exit in failure and will likely give it their best shot at finishing on a high note. Expect them to give it their all.

3. Del Bosque is tactical genius

He was dominated by Luis Felipe Scolari in the Confederations Cup final last summer, but Del Bosque's tactical genus cannot be questioned. He helped Spain reach its tiki-taka peak during the 2010 World Cup and then got them into another gear during the Euro 2012 Final. He implemented the false nine to brilliant effect, unsettling opponents throughout the 2012 Euro tournament. He has often found a way to improve his team on the fly and get the best out of his players and it will be no different this time.

4. Defensive prowess

Now it is time to throw out the numbers. In the last two Euros and World Cup, Spain has conceded a grand total of six goals. That number is not made up. The team has also not conceded a goal in a knockout game of a major tournament since the round of 16 loss against France in the 2006 World Cup; the team has a streak of 10 knockout games without conceding a goal. Spain has been dominant throughout its last three tournaments, and the main reason for that has been its ability to keep the ball out of the net. A major reason for that is Spain's possession game that has enabled it to keep "control" of the pace of the game and slowly dismantle other clubs. Many might point to a weak defense. But Pique and Ramos have proven their worth over the years, and the only real question is their fitness. Possession football may no longer be as strong as it once was, but it is still effective as a defensive tool and will continue to help Spain outlast opponents.

5. Deep Bench

Spain will undoubtedly have a wealth of riches that gives Del Bosque the versatility he needs to unsettle opponents. Last year during the Confederations Cup final, Jesus Navas was brought on to give Spain more pace on the flanks; the result was an unsettled Brazilian side that conceded a penalty kick moments after Navas' entry. David Silva might not get a chance to start, but if he gets subbed in for someone like Xavi or Iniesta, he brings an added dimension of quickness and creativity that few other players possess. Fabregas can play in Xavi's spot in the midfield but has also proven effective as a false nine. Javi Martinez can play center back or could come in for Xabi to help shore up the midfield if the 32-year-old veteran is out of gas. Even at the forward position, where Del Bosque is struggling to make a decision, he has some options. Back in 2010, he brought Fernando Llorente into the game against Portugal as the side was struggling to create space in front of the net. His hulking size unsettled Portugal and eventually helped Spain win.

This Spain side may be older, but it is still built to win. And this year, the side might win its fourth straight major tournament.

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