ENG v ALG Preview

Group C 18 June 19.30 Cape Town

England (all White)v Algeria (all Green)

Algeria

Keeper Faouzi Chaouchi may be rested following his blooper in the Slovenia game, he also has a knock to his knee and this could tip the balance against him. If he is left out, Rais M’Bolhi, who had a trail at Old Trafford will deputise. Algeria’s main threat would seem to come down the left from Belhadj and the lively Karim Ziani. Up front Matmour and Djebbour will hope their endeavour brings more luck than it did on Sunday. Ghezzal is suspended following his red card.

England

Following and ultimately disappointing performance, a vast improvement is required. The Lampard and Gerrard central partnership doesn’t work against anyone with a degree of organisation, the service to Rooney was lacking so he dropped deeper and deeper to pick up the ball. Heskey again showed what he does best linking the play and bringing other into the game, sadly he missed a good chance when through on goal by shooting straight at Heskey, Defoe may have scored it, but would have got into that position? Most likely he’d have been offside in the build up! England picked up three unnecessary yellow cards and hopefully that won’t come back to haunt us later in the competition.

My XI

James

Johnson Terry Carragher Cole A

Lennon Barry Lampard Gerrard

Rooney Heskey

Fabio’s probable XI

Green

Johnson Terry Carragher Cole A

Lennon Barry Lampard Gerrard

Rooney Heskey

Remember what I said of Green “he proved safe, if unspectacular in qualifying” well that proved to be a stupid thing to say! In my defence I did say I would start with David James. Barry is now fit and will slot back in front of the back four, where Carragher seems an obvious choice following his second half appearance against the USA. Gerrard will move over to the left but will spend much of the time drifting in. I think this position suits him better as it is very crowded in the centre and he will make use of the space coming in from wide.

I have predicted a 2-0 win for England, boys don’t let me down!

Rooney & Heskey