Group D is the undoubted Group of Death in the 2014 World Cup as it includes three former World Cup champions as well as the runner-up to the 2012 Euro Cup and the current Copa American champion. Three of the four teams can get to the knockout round, while the lone outlier will probably settle for scoring a goal or playing for a draw. Here is an analysis of Group D at this year's World Cup.

Italy is currently the runner-up to the 2012 Euro Cup and last won the World Cup in 2006. (For those who are keeping track, the team's tally stands at four overall titles.) The Italians are definitely considered contenders in this tournament, especially with the terrific coaching of Cesare Prandelli who has revitalized this squad after a woeful 2010 campaign. A few issues in the roster, however, will be a concern for the team's survival.

The loss of Riccardo Montolivo is a big issue since Italy's midfield is rather "old" and averages 28.75 years of age. Andrea Pirlo is the general in the midfield, but at 35 many will question his long-term viability in this tournament. He cannot play 90 minutes and be expected to lead Italy to the final. Thiago Motta, Antonio Candreva, Claudio Marchisio, Alberto Aquilani or Daniele De Rossi will be expected to pick up the slack.

And inexperience, of course, is a concern here. Pirlo has 108 caps, and De Rossi figures in at 94. The other four players combined have 116 appearances between them with Aquilani leading the way with 43. The other two midfielders chosen include Marco Veratti (he of five appearances for Italy) and Marco Parolo (three appearances).

The forwards are more stable with Mario Balotelli leading the line and the likes of Antonio Cassano providing the first line of support. But again, this forward line, which also includes Alessio Cerci, Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne has a total of 82 caps between the five of them; Cassano and Balotelli have a combined 65 of those appearances. The backend is Italy's biggest strength and should provide the side with the stability to take more risks up top.

Uruguay is arguably the biggest contender to take the top spot in this group, especially when considering that this very team finished fourth in 2010. Luis Suarez is arguably the best player in the world right now (next to Cristiano Ronaldo), and Edinson Cavani is another elite striker capable of scoring big goals (see last year's Confederations Cup for example). The steadying presence of the declining Diego Forlan and a solid backline that includes Diego Godin, Diego Lugano and Martin Caceres will also provide Uruguay's adventurous forwards with proper cover.

This gives England a lot of headaches. Coach Roy Hodgson picked a relatively young group of players to feature in this tournament. Of its seven defenders, only Glen Johnson was in the 2010 World Cup. Wayne Rooney will look to score his first ever World Cup goal; the striker has 38 goals while playing for the Three Lions, but he has never produced a goal in the big tournament despite playing in two tournaments thus far. He needs to score a goal as this is probably the last time he gets a chance to don his nation's uniform in a World Cup.

Costa Rica will hope to get a point or two from this tournament. The nation will be without Alvaro Saborio, who is among the team's top scoring threats. Goalie Keylor Navas should keep things close, but Costa Rica will likely fade quickly from this tournament.

Schedule:

June 14: 3 PM - Uruguay vs. Costa Rica

            6 PM - England vs. Italy

June 19: 3PM - England vs. Uruguay

June 20: 12 PM - Costa Rica vs. Italy

June 24: 12 PM - England vs. Costa Rica; Italy vs. Uruguay

Predictions: Uruguay takes advantage of its continental advantage and wins the group, while Italy places second.

1. Uruguay

2. Italy

3. England

4. Costa Rica