World Cup Previews: Group C
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Group C
You can roll out all the clichés now. This is England’s year. Again. ’66 and all that could finally be repeated if those across the water are to be believed – but for once you may not be able to hide the fact that with Wayne Rooney leading the line, they could actually end their forty-four year hoodoo.
The injury to Rio Ferdinand may have given them some cause for concern but the emphatic nature of their qualification campaign definitely bodes well, while in Fabio Capello, they may finally have a worthy manager who can control the hyper-frenetic nature of every major tournament that the Three Lions partake in.
With the minnows of Slovenia and Algeria in their ranks, England should comfortably book their place in the second round, with the USA following up in a close second.
The game is actually growing in popularity on stateside and ESPN are expected to have the biggest viewing figures for a ‘sawker’ [sic] game in the US, with Martin Tyler fronting their coverage and the June 12th group opener will see the two qualifiers meet.
Even if the USA get the better of Capello’s men, which appears highly unlikely at this juncture, both sides should win their remaining games against inferior opposition.
The American’s finished top of the complicated CONCACAF qualification group, ahead of Mexico and they are a group of players with serious potential. It would, however, be fair to say that they have a weak defence, but make up for it in all other areas of the field.
Algeria and Slovenia will probably just make up the numbers in this group, with the former comfortably beaten in the RDS two weeks ago by Ireland. There will be some changes from that team though, as Rabah Saadane was experimenting somewhat.
Slovenia’s most recognisable name is Robert Koren – a free-scoring striker at Championship level, he will probably struggle on this massive stage. They booked their place on the plane to South Africa with a play-off win over Russia, but they were in a group that contained Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland.
Their most likely chance of picking up points will come when they meet each other on June 13th.
Prediction:
England
USA
Slovenia
Algeria
Do you think England will win the World Cup? Will Slovenia put up a stronger challenge than predicted?
You can roll out all the clichés now. This is England’s year. Again. ’66 and all that could finally be repeated if those across the water are to be believed – but for once you may not be able to hide the fact that with Wayne Rooney leading the line, they could actually end their forty-four year hoodoo.
The injury to Rio Ferdinand may have given them some cause for concern but the emphatic nature of their qualification campaign definitely bodes well, while in Fabio Capello, they may finally have a worthy manager who can control the hyper-frenetic nature of every major tournament that the Three Lions partake in.
With the minnows of Slovenia and Algeria in their ranks, England should comfortably book their place in the second round, with the USA following up in a close second.
The game is actually growing in popularity on stateside and ESPN are expected to have the biggest viewing figures for a ‘sawker’ [sic] game in the US, with Martin Tyler fronting their coverage and the June 12th group opener will see the two qualifiers meet.
Even if the USA get the better of Capello’s men, which appears highly unlikely at this juncture, both sides should win their remaining games against inferior opposition.
The American’s finished top of the complicated CONCACAF qualification group, ahead of Mexico and they are a group of players with serious potential. It would, however, be fair to say that they have a weak defence, but make up for it in all other areas of the field.
Algeria and Slovenia will probably just make up the numbers in this group, with the former comfortably beaten in the RDS two weeks ago by Ireland. There will be some changes from that team though, as Rabah Saadane was experimenting somewhat.
Slovenia’s most recognisable name is Robert Koren – a free-scoring striker at Championship level, he will probably struggle on this massive stage. They booked their place on the plane to South Africa with a play-off win over Russia, but they were in a group that contained Slovakia, Czech Republic and Poland.
Their most likely chance of picking up points will come when they meet each other on June 13th.
Prediction:
England
USA
Slovenia
Algeria
Do you think England will win the World Cup? Will Slovenia put up a stronger challenge than predicted?
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile