SLO v ENG preview

Group C 23 June 15.00 Port Elizabeth

Slovenia (all White) v England (all Red)

Slovenia

Just a draw, is all the tiny nation need to proceed for the very first time at the world cup. Don’t expect them to come out and play flamboyantly if they lose they are likely to go home. They will be patient and try to keep the ball, there are good attacking options onb the break with Koren, who is the main man for them, but Birsa and Ljubijankic have shown what they are capable of already.

England

Do or die for the boys with the three lions on their chests. Anything but a win will see us joining the French on the plane home (though if we draw and score two more goals than the USA we will be OK), but basically we need to win!

Gerrard has spoken of an improvement in the team spirit in training, and we need to take this out onto the pitch. They seem not to be enjoying their football at present and suffering with the pressure, that doesn’t ease today but something needs to change.

My XI

James

Johnson Terry Dawson Cole A

Lennon Barry Lampard Cole J

Gerrard

Rooney

I would bring Joe Cole in to free Gerrard up, and play Rooney up top on his own as he does with United. Dawson would get the nod for me over Upson as he was terrible all year at West Ham, whereas Dawson carried Spurs when King was missing and complemented him when he returned.

Fabio’s probable XI

James

Johnson Terry Upson Cole

Milner Barry Lampard Gerrard

Rooney Defoe

It’s been widely reported that Capello will stick with a 4-4-2 formation, ditching Heskey and Lennon. For me, Milner is better off in the middle, he has no pace to speak off and certainly doesn’t have a trick to get passed his full back. This line up does have options though, Gerrard may start on the right with Milner left, or it could also work as a diamond with Barry as the anchor and Stevie G as the man to support Rooney and Defoe. As for Defoe, he does nothing for the side outside the box, he is lazy, and frequently caught offside. I admit he can be a fox in the box and has a great shot with little backlift but I think it is a gamble playing him with Rooney.

Prediction 2-1 to England, Lampard and Rooney

Day Nine

A real shock in Port Elizabeth with Serbia’s win over Germany that will leave many people talking about the dismissal of Miroslav Klose, although the tackle that brought Klose his first yellow seemed a bit tame, he had already been spoken to by the referee. The second foul on Stankjovic was a stupid one from a player on a card already. The Serb’s punished Germany almost straight away with a lovely half volley from Jovanovic of Liverpool after a knock down from the giant Zigic. Before half time Khadeira hit the bar from twenty yards with a clean strike but it bounced to safety. After the break Podolski failed to convert from two good opportunities before his looping cross was stupidly handled by Vidic, he barely got a touch but it was enough for the Spanish ref to blow. Podolski hit the penalty into the ground and Wigan’s third choice keeper, Stojkovic saved easily down to his left.

Serbia had two great chances to wrap things up, Krasic’s jinking run led to Jovanovic hitting the post and Zigic guided a header over the bar just before time.

The USA can feel very hard done by, that they didn’t take all three points, despite having had to pull back a two goal deficit. The Malian referee, who can hardly ref at a decent standard week in and week out, had a shocker in disallowing a US winner near the end. I saw three fouls that he could have blown up for, all by Slovenians but mysteriously he blew for a foul by the Americans. Slovenia went into a two goal lead before half time with goals from Birsa, with a magnificent 25 yard left footed effort, and Ljubijankovic who slotted a through ball away calmly passed Tim Howard. The USA made a perfect start to the second half when Donovan lashed the ball high in to the net from an acute angle, the keeper had a bit of a mare here and turned his back! Any queries about manager Bob Bradley’s selection of his son, Michael, were quashed following an excellent strike from Altidore’s knock down.

We suffered another major disappointment to follow that of the USA game. Capello brought James and Barry back into the fold and both did well on a night where frustration really should have been the overriding emotion. The Algerians came, not to be beaten, and sat there with two banks of four and made no effort to threaten the England goal. Sadly we were unable to unlock them, which was poor bearing in mind the supposed talent we had at our disposal. Early on Gerrard hit a looping through ball for Heskey that he overhit but it caused concern for the Algerian keeper who misjudged it initially. Skipper Gerrard had another effort from 25 yards but tamely stroked the ball rather than striking it with confidence. The best chance fell to Lampard following a good run and cross from Lennon. The ball sat up nicely, just back from the penalty spot but Frank hit the ball into the ground and it lost power on its way towards goal. In the second half Gerrard crossed, but behind Heskey and Lampard when he seemed better placed to shoot. Another cross from Lennon seemed destined fro Rooney’s head until it was touched behind by a defender. Had we managed to convert any of those chances I firmly believe we could have run out comfortable winners but that’s football. The boos at the end didn’t help the team’s already flagging morale and Rooney let his thoughts be known, I was disappointed to see him apologise the next day. I know which of the two statements he meant and the one made in a press conference wasn’t it!

Predictions

Still no 100% correct predictions, just eight times I predicted who’d win.

Holland 2 Japan 0

Ghana 1 Australia 1

Cameroon 1 Denmark 2

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

Day Eight

We saw a superb performance from the Argentinean’s with Gonzalo Higuian netting the first hat trick of the world cup. They completely over powered the Korean’s who only scored from a defensive lapse from Bayern’s Dimichelis. Bolton’s Chung-yong scored just before half time to make it 2-1 and we thought we had a game on our hands. Argentina came out increased their momentum in the second half and powered on to a comfortable win.


The middle game hinged on one critical moment, when Nigeria’s Kieta was sent off for violent conduct, which turned a typically defensive Greek side into one with a purpose, they brought an extra striker on after only half an hour. They were a goal behind at the time following Uche’s free kick, which was floated over towards the back post but nobody got a touch, not the way we expected to see the first goal from a direct free kick.


Salpingidis scored the equaliser, with the help of a massive deflection just before the break. Both Yakubu and Obasi missed great chances for the ten men to take the lead but Nigeria’s keeper, Enyeama became a fully paid up member of the Robert Green Club when he failed to collect a shot that gave Torosidis a simple tap in. The Greeks held on and Group B is now well set up with a game to go.


Nigeria can still progress despite having no points as yet, if they beat South Korea 2-0 and Argentina win against Greece the Super Eagles would move forward with Maradona’s men.


Mexico stunned the hapless French and could put them out if they draw with Uruguay, a result that would take them both through, no matter what the French do against South Africa. Following a close first half, in which Mexico’s left back Salcido impressed, Javier Hernandez sprung the offside trap and coolly took the ball round Lloris before slotting into the net just after the hourmark. The Mexican’s secured victory with a Blanco penalty ten minutes from time after Barrera’s run drew a foul from Abidal. Blanco, the 37 year old, just managed to complete his run up without help before despatching a cool pen in the bottom corner.


France’s best chance was a shot from Malouda that Olivier Perez tipped over, yet again there was no quality service for Anelka, or Gignac who replaced him at half time.


Predictions

I did post these yesterday so I will hardly gain anything for changing them now, especially as, yet again I only got one result but no scorelines correct leaving me with only eight from twenty games. Lets see what I manage on Friday


Germany 2 Serbia 1
Slovenia 1 USA 2
England 2 Algeria 0

Day Seven

Chile won their first game at a world cup since they were hosts back in 1962. They comfortably beat a workmanlike Honduran side whilst showing flair and skill that we haven’t seen in South Africa yet. The goal came from a good passing move down the left hand side but had an element of fortune to it. As the cross came over the Honduran defender got to it first but he clearance deflected off Beausejour’s outstretched foot and into the goal. The Chilean’s seemed to use the Jabulani ball better than most, they had several long range shots, which they managed to keep down and on target, causing a few problems for Valladares in goal. He did pull off the save of the tournament so far from Ponce’s close range header late on.

The big shock so far came in Durban when the Swiss managed to beat Spain. The Spanish seemed so assured early on, they have a confidence that allows them to pass the ball, even if the intended recipient is marked. That being said, the Swiss absorbed a tremendous amount of pressure before striking on the counter attack. Former Man City holding midfielder Gelson Fernades scored a scrappy goal that could have been easily prevented on more that one occasion. They also struck the post late on, during a rare foray into Spain’s box.

Uruguay showed all that is best about their game, leaving the petulance to the side for once they were cool and calm I front of goal and Forlan showed his class with a brace, including one from the spot. South Africa have been exposed for the ordinary side they are. Much was expected from Everton’s Steven Pienaar but he has been substituted in both games.

Argentina 2 South Korea 0
Greece 1 Nigeria 1
France 1 Mexico 0

Day Six

Did I say cagey already? Bloody hell today’s games were as tight as those that have gone before.

New Zealand were probably the main news as they managed to secure their first ever world cup point. North Korea ran them close with a superb effort against a team ranked 103 places higher and with all their history, but Brazil did run out winners in the end.

The All Whites scored a stoppage time equaliser to dash Slovakia’s hopes in Rustenburg earlier. The Slovak’s thought they’d done enough to take all the points following Robert Vittek’s 50^th minute header but Winston Reid’s late, late goal sent the Kiwi’s delirious. It leaves Group F dead level.

North Korea put up a great fight, holding off the favourites for fifty minutes until Maicon’s astonishing effort from the acutest of angles. ITV’s Clyde Tyldesley did himself no favours when he suggested it was an own goal by the keeper, but ITV keep ballsing it up this year, Robbie Earle has been axed, after ITV discovered tickets allocated to to him, for family and friends, have been passed to a third party, in breach of FIFA rules. Brazil secured the win with a lovely goal from Elano after an inch perfect through ball. Ji Yun-nam scored the North Korean’s consolation goal in the final minute which made this only the second game in fourteen to contain three goals or more.

The Portugal v Ivory Coast game was a massive disappointment, I understand that whoever lost would face elimination if defeated by Brazil but still I hoped for more attacking play with all the forwards available to both teams. Ronaldo was up to all of his old tricks and I wish FIFA would take a stance against all players who blatantly dive and go to ground so easily.

Yesterdays wild guess’ mean I have a woeful five correct results from fourteen games but none 100% right.

Lets see how these do

Honduras 0 Chile 2

Spain 2 Switzerland 0

South Africa 0 Uruguay 2

My wild statement of the day is that I think FIFA should not award a point for a goalless draw. Maybe that would liven up this world cup? So far we have seen 28 teams and 11 of them have failed to score.

Day Five

Holland were good value for this win against a Danish side that seemed to accept early on that this wasn’t going to be their day and that they’d be better saving their efforts for the weaker teams in the group. Missing Arjen Robben, the Dutch played van der Vaart alongside Sneijder but they didn’t seem to flow until changes were made around the hour mark and Elia came on to give them some width. The first goal was a freak own goal where Poulsen’s misdirected header hit Agger’s back and rolled agonisingly in to the net. Kuyt’s late goal was an example of Sneijder’s exquisite passing and vision. His reverse pass saw Elia break through the Danish defence and as his shot rolled back off the post Kuyt followed in to secure victory.



Japan caused an upset I suppose, with their first victory overseas in a world cup game. They looked, like the South Koreans, to be organised and workmanlike but without the cutting edge until they punished some poor defending from both Cameroon full backs. Assou Ekottu failed to close down the cross and then M’bia was out of position and left Honda too much space which he easily punished. Eto’o was badly misused out wide on the right in my opinion and should have been playing as a striker. He’s used in that right sided role for Inter but they do have the likes of Milito to play in the middle ahead of him.



Paraguay came close to pulling off a major surprise in the final game of the day but weren’t able to hold on and beat the reigning champions, maybe they would have but for a shocker from keeper Villar. Alcaraz punished poor defending by Italy after Di Rossi and Canavarro seemed to get in each others way but Di Rossi did more than enough to atone for his earlier error when he punished Villar’s flap just after the hour mark.



Some people are saying the Germans are at an advantage having been using the Jabulani ball since March in their domestic league. I think they just passed and finished better, but my thought about the ball is this, teams have been training with it on open and windy training grounds, now they are using it in enclosed stadia the ball isn’t wobbling around half as much as we were led to believe. Maybe I am wrong, we’ll see as the tournament develops.


I have managed a pitiful four correct results from eleven games but no correct scorelines? At this rate I’d struggle to predict if night would follow day!
Lets see how these do



New Zealand 0 Slovakia 1
Ivory Coast 1 Portugal 2
Brazil 3 North Korea 0



Whilst I am making random predictions here is one from left field. Portugal’s Liedson to be top scorer, you read it hear first.