World Cup - Group C

England: The inventors of the game many years ago and winners in the 1966 World Cup held in England. Every World Cup the expectations are high and every World Cup expectations are left unrealised, usually from a penalty spot. This time around however the stars seem to be aligned. Th fact that the competition is being held in South Africa, with the temperature mild compared to previous World Cups means that maybe the advantage lays with European teams rather than the South Americans. England kick of against the USA and it is not so much of a must win as a mustn't lose. After this game England face the lesser teams of Algeria and Slovenia, teams that realistically England should be winning.

USA: The only country in the competition that doesn't play the sport. Sure they have the MLS (Might Looklike Soccer) but that is nothing when stacked up against the South American and European leagues. However a lot of the National team do ply their trade in the European leagues, with 'Gooch' playing for Milan, Dempsey reaching the UEFA Cup final with Fulham and Landon Donovan joining up with goalkeeper Howard at Everton for a loan spell. A draw for the USA against England would sent the Yank fans home happier with their next games being against Slovenia and Algeria. A loss against England will not be devastating but certainly not the best start.

Algeria: The whipping boys of the group potentially. It will be a good outing for them if they go into the last game against the USA still with a chance to qualify. Now that said they do have European based players but as a team I still feel they lack the quality needed. Bougherra (nicknamed Boughie woogie by his club teams fans) plys his trade for the blue of Glasgow. Their two wingers Meghni and Ziani play for Lazio and Wolfsburg respectively.

Slovenia: If the Slovenians can beat Algeria in their opening game then it sets up a tasty match against the USA (who would just have come off a game against England). The winner of that game between Slovenia and the USA will do much, I think, in determining the second place team in the group.


My Predictions:

1) England
2) USA
3) Slovenia
4) Algeria