Jumat, 11 Juni 2010
2010 Algeria World Cup Predictions
Nickname: The Desert Foxes
Number of World Cup appearances: 2
Best World Cup finish: Group stage (1982, 1986)
Team Breakdown
Similar to Slovenia, Algeria found its ticket to South Africa after a very impressive play-off result against a big favorite. The Desert Foxes sent Egypt packing, besting them in Sudan, no less, and that result has to be considered a massive upset considering the Egyptians’ success throughout African football (Remember, this is an Egypt team that had just won January’s Africa Cup of Nations, their third straight title in the bi-annual tournament).One of the bigger underdogs in the entire field, Algeria hasn’t qualified for the World Cup since 1986, four years after their first ever appearance. But to this date, Algeria’s 1982 shocker in the group stage that saw them defeat West Germany is surely a moment to be recalled often this summer by the current team.
Surely that alone won’t be enough to advance the North Africans, but you have to give Algeria props for reaching the Finals if nothing else. Now trying to stir up some new magic will be the agenda against the likes of England and the United States.
2010 Algeria World Cup Odds
Algeria is currently listed at 250/1 to win the World Cup.
They are 16/1 to win Group C.
Key Player To Watch
It is safe to say there isn’t a known commodity in terms of individual talent on Algeria’s national team. Antar Yahia and Karim Ziani both scored three times during the qualifying process. However, their efforts will have to be raised exponentially in South Africa.
Best Team Asset
No one will see Algeria coming. If one team in this group will be swept under the rug, it will be the Foxes. And while South Africa might feel like it is much farther away than reality, Algeria is playing on continental soil. And if I have said it once, then it can’t be echoed enough: every African nation participating in the World Cup will be playing with an extra emphasis with this being the first ever tournament hosted in Africa. Added inspiration for sure.
Key Team Weakness
Algeria lacks firepower, and even more so the desired offensive attack than can withstand a goal or two allowed and still fire back like an England. So against a powerhouse attack like the English or facing one of the toughest goalkeepers in the world in the American Tim Howard, Algeria as a whole is the weak link in Group C.
Algeria World Cup Predictions
You never want to rule out a team, but Algeria won’t find success this summer. It will be three games and out, and even three losses isn’t out of the question. Even the third best team in the group, Slovenia, is much more talented.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
Bet the over when Algeria faces England on June 18. The English shouldn’t have a big issue netting goals in this one. And you also have to consider that the one weakness England has is their keeper, so a goal allowed by the favorites isn’t out of the question either. There will be a lot of goal scoring chances in this match.
Algeria World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Slovenia, June 13, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Peter Mokaba (Polokwane)
v. England, June 18, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Green Point (Cape Town)
v. United States, June 23, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Loftus Versfeld (Tshwane/Pretoria)
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2010 Slovenia World Cup Predictions
Nickname: N/A
Number of World Cup appearances: 8
Best World Cup finish: (As Yugoslavia) Fourth place (1962)
Team Breakdown
Slovenia makes just their second World Cup appearance as an independent country after the breakup of former Yugoslavia, having debuted in 2002.
As the runners-up in Group Three of in European qualifying behind Slovakia but ahead of favored Czech Republic, Slovenia then went on to provide perhaps the shocker of qualification by knocking out heavily-favored Russia in a play-off to decide one of the last teams in the field.One of the stingier efforts defensively in all of World Cup qualifying, Slovenia allowed only four goals in 10 matches and kept Russia at bay to the tune of only one goal in their home-and-home November playoff series.
The depth of European football leaves Slovenia as a relatively unknown squad entering this summer, but if this side can conjure up more success like what we witnessed against Russia to gain entry into the World Cup, then Group C might be far deeper than just England and the United States.
2010 Slovenia World Cup Odds
Slovenia is currently listed at 200/1 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 12/1 to win Group C.
Key Player To Watch
Milivoje Novakovic will be one of the offensive threats Slovenia calls upon in South Africa. The 6-foot-4 striker tallies his goals domestically for FC Cologne in the Germany Bundesliga. Strong and tall, this forward seems to find himself in the best of situations on the pitch and is very confident in attack. When the ball is on his foot he can always be counted on to hold position and pushing forward is something he knows how to do all too well. Novakovic is definitely a prized possession at the hands of the Slovenians.
Best Team Asset
The confidence Slovenia built for themselves after shocking Russia can go a long way for this small football nation. And they can also look for inspiration from finishing ahead of World Cup regulars Czech Republic and Poland. The results are there to boost moral and this side has every bit the reasons to feel like further success can be found this summer.
Key Team Weakness
How will Slovenia fare against teams employing different styles? It is one thing to constantly be tested against similar style European teams like Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland and other Eastern European nations, but when facing a United States or an Algeria, will the outcome be different? That is the test come June for Slovenia, as it will be interesting to see how they play when facing teams from different continents that they haven’t faced before.
Slovenia World Cup Predictions
While they enter as a darling of sorts after their underdog victory over Russia, against the likes of England and the U.S. they won’t be pegged any better than third in the group. Knowing the results they put forward to get here, Slovenia is surely capable of more upsets. But when the group stage plays out, they will be left on the outside looking in.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
Slovenia will be favored in their first group play match June 13 v. Algeria, but the odds will still have them in the +110 range or so, and that is worth a look. Both sides will be looking to play the role of spoiler against the English and Americans, but I would give the edge to Slovenia and their track record in qualifying.
Slovenia World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. Algeria, June 13, 2010 – 7:30 a.m. ET at Peter Mokaba (Polokwane)
v. United States, June 18, 2010 – 10 a.m. ETat Ellis Park (Johannesburg)
v. England, June 23, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth)
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2010 USA World Cup Predictions
Nickname: Stars and Stripes
Number of World Cup appearances: 7
Best World Cup finish: Quarterfinals (2002)
Team Breakdown
Soccer in the States is never going to be overwhelmingly popular, and certainly not ahead of the big four American sports. But respect, now that’s a whole different consideration. And if the U.S. ever wants to be taken seriously as a legit soccer nation, the opportunity doesn’t get much better than this summer’s World Cup. The first step was already taken last June in the Confederations Cup with the United States knocking off Spain, the No. 1 team in the world, and then giving Brazil everything it could handle in the Final before losing narrowly.
2010 in South Africa could and needs to be another massive step toward earning that respect across the world. And quite frankly, it’s now or never because by the time 2014 rolls around, all the momentum from last year’s tournament success will be long gone and surely another up-and-coming nation will take their place as the possible the next country to breakthrough on the big stage.
2010 United States World Cup Odds
The United States is currently listed at 50/1 to win the World Cup.
They are 4/1 to win Group C.
Key Player To Watch
Everyone knows Landon Donovan is the country’s most successful and decorated player of all-time. You also should by now know Tim Howard is rapidly becoming one of the world’s best goalkeepers, but a key figure that is vital to the U.S.’s hopes this summer is midfielder Clint Dempsey. He has established himself as an important cog at Fulham in the English Premier League and has also done extremely well for his country internationally. Dempsey scored the team’s lone goal during their quick 2006 World Cup appearance and since then has really taken the reigns alongside Donovan as one of the more important pieces that coach Bob Bradley has going for his side.
Best Team Asset
Confidence. Never has the United States had more coming into a major international tournament. They have the familiarity and comfort of having played in South Africa’s several stadiums during last summer’s Confederations Cup and the boost of knowing they won there, too. They have a lot of their first team players gaining valuable experience on club teams across Europe, and that has also prepared them well for the skill they’ll see first hand this summer.
Key Team Weakness
Injuries. You could argue no World Cup team has had more bad luck than the U.S. with key players and injuries leading up to the Finals this summer. During qualifying last fall defender Oguchi Onyewu tore his patellar tendon against Costa Rica, and despite him likely being ready come June, his months of rehab has most certainly left him out of top form and fitness. Striker Charlie Davies is the biggest mention, with his near death car crash that kept him in the hospital for months alone. In February he started jogging and he too, miraculously, might be able to find a way on the roster come summertime. Another midfielder, Stuart Holden, fractured his right fibula during a friendly against Holland in early March. He faces a six-week layoff.
United States World Cup Predictions
The States have to feel good about their draw. While England is most certainly the favorite to win the group, there is absolutely no excuse for the Stars and Stripes not to advance to the knockout stage. Algeria and Slovenia are no cakewalks but it’s really not a debate over talent and experience. The U.S. will find the Round of 16, but a potential match-up against Germany, should they win Group D, awaits them after advancement.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
While the United States will be heavy underdogs against England, and rightfully so, there are too many factors playing into that game. Plus, a loss off the bat to the English and the U.S. will be in scramble mode and will rely on two must-wins against Algeria and Slovenia. I would jump all over the States in those games, knowing full well what they mean to the success of their tournament and likelihood of advancing past the group stage.
United States World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. England, June 12, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
v. Slovenia, June 18, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Ellis Park (Johannesburg)
v. Algeria, June 23, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Loftus Versfeld (Tshwane/Pretoria)
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2010 England World Cup Predictions
Nickname: The Three Lions
Number of World Cup appearances: 12
Best World Cup finish: Winners (1966)
Team Breakdown
Say what you want about the Brazil’s ‘title or bust’ expectations or even Argentina’s lofty desire to finally get back on top as the world’s best, but no country will ever be as scrutinized about their World Cup play and results as England. Two back-to-back quarterfinal finishes were the last two results for the English in 2002 and 2006, and that leads a laundry list of achievement, or disappointment at this tournament. England won it in 1966 but every other appearance could well be considered a failure.
Soccer is life in the UK, particularly in London and all of England. And after seeing this country bow out prematurely at each of the last two Finals, another early exit would be pretty painful to which, even to those of non-English decent.
But even with as much cynicism and doubt that fans almost want to cast over their home country before a ball is even kicked, the talent England has will no doubt leave them as one of the favorites to win in South Africa. Only Spain and Brazil are considered slightly ahead of them as favorites, but you could almost call that debatable, especially if the English are on their game.
Here we go, another drama-filled tournament with nothing but the hopes of an entire country pinned on the lone fact that this must (it has to be, right?) be the year that England regains as FIFA World Cup champions.
2010 England World Cup Odds
England is currently listed at 11/2 futures odds to win the World Cup.
They are 4/11 favorites to win Group C.
Key Player To Watch
When it comes to star talent on the England side, just know you can’t reel off one name. There are constants like midfielders Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, striker Wayne Rooney, who is in the best form of his life leading up to this summer, or the key defensive brilliance of John Terry. But several names to keep an eye out for are some faces that weren’t around in 2006. Strike Jermain Defoe is flat out lethal and a tremendous finisher. Also, Aaron Lennon, who was a substitute in Germany, might likely find a starting role on one of the wings now that David Beckham is set to miss the tournament because of his torn Achilles.
Best Team Asset
Strength in numbers, and England, like the other elite soccer nations in the world, can throw a handful of skill at you and then unload with more off the bench if need be. England can mix and match with the best of them, particularly up front. Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe are the best two finishers in the EPL and do it sans the physical size that their other compatriots can come with. Peter Crouch and Darren Bent are more physically imposing strikers atop the English formation and that versatility will allow head coach Fabio Capello to conjure all kinds of wondrous things for his side to put forth in attack.
Key Team Weakness
It is no secret the English lacks a key goalkeeper and one to feel comfortable with comparatively with every other position. And it isn’t a stretch to say that come June the position could still be a toss-up to who takes the starting spot. Surely head man Capello would love to see Ben Foster jump up and grab hold of the spot. However, the 27-year-old just hasn’t come into first team form on a consistent enough basis to sell the spot as his own. The same goes for an even less experienced Joe Hart, only 22 but the most promising. David James has the experience, but at 39 he is hardly at his peak talent and not exactly racking up clean sheets with his floundering EPL club side Portsmouth. This is a big time issue for England’s World Cup hopes and their one true weakness.
England World Cup Predictions
Nothing but a World Cup title is acceptable. It’s cliché to a degree, but a fact. Winning the group is the first step, thus avoiding Germany in a likely Round of 16 match-up with Group C’s runners-up. However, England could then draw either a Cameroon or Denmark and that could be tricky to sneak past into the last eight. England will be the semifinals; I would like to bank on that. Beyond that it is too close to call, but it’s certainly exciting to think about, that’s for sure.
Key First Round Match (best betting opportunity)
England is going to be huge favorites in every group play match, and likely that the betting lines against Algeria and Slovenia will not be playable. The best bet is to wager your coin on England winning the group. If they score a World Cup-opening victory over the States, consider it a breeze.
England World Cup Group Play Schedule
v. United State, June 12, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ET at Royal Bafokeng (Rustenburg)
v. Algeria, June 18, 2010 – 2:30 p.m. ETat Green Point (Cape Town)
v. Slovenia, June 23, 2010 – 10 a.m. ET at Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth)
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