Today's Featured Game
England opened up the tournament with a 1-2 loss to Italy but they looked good. The team looked dangerous going forward and they seemed solid enough at the back. If they want to progress to the next round they will need to get a good result from this game. They need to make their chances count and impose themselves on the opposition. They have the type of players that can control a game and they'll need to turn up against a team like Uruguay.
Uruguay turned in one of the worst performances of the tournament in their opening game. Their 1-3 loss to Costa Rica has been one of the shocks of the tournament. If they play like they did in that game, this game is going to get ugly. It seems as if they are going to have to rely on a unfit Luis Suarez to inspire their team. The South Americans lacked creativity all over the pitch in their first game. 4 years ago they were one of the most dangerous and fluid attacking teams in the tournament, but they lacked movement and hunger in their opener. If they can't manage to completely alter their style of play and become that team they were 4 years ago, they will be eliminated today.
Players to Watch
England
Joe Hart (Goalkeeper) - Hart will be facing one of the most dangerous strike forces in the tournament. If Suarez is anywhere near match fit you can be sure that Hart will be tested in net. Uruguay's attack was uninspired in their last match, but i expect them to be much improved. I'm looking for a big performance out of Joe Hart to ensure an English victory.
Wayne Rooney (Attacking Midfielder) - This match is one that i think is tailor made for Rooney. He loves to tuck into the space behind the striker. His vision and ball striking ability make him one of the most dangerous players in the tournament. Uruguay seem to allow a lot of space to their opposition on top of the box, this is where Rooney loves to operate. A lot of the work Rooney does goes unnoticed because it isn't glamorous, but today I think he has a performance that everyone takes note of.
Uruguay
Luis Suarez (Forward) - After not playing in the team's first game, Suarez will be forced to play despite not being fully fit. He is just a few weeks removed from knee surgery but his 50% is better than his replacements 100%. His quick feet and relentless pressure can completely change a game. He has the ability to carve a moment of brilliance out of nothing. He will be the talisman for the South Americans.
Edison Cavani (Forward) - Cavani scored Uruguay's only goal against Costa Rica on a penalty kick. Apart from that he looked unthreatening. He was one of the best strikers in the French league last season and is more than capable of scoring in and around the penalty area. If Uruguay want to stay in the tournament his connection with Suarez will be vital.
Game Prediction:
If Uruguay play like they did against Costa Rica they are going to get smashed by the English. I think Uruguay will be an improved team in this match, especially if Luis Suarez plays, but there's no way they can do a full turn around in one game. I've never seen a team perform so badly in 1 game, and just turn it on in the next game. This time it's not Costa Rica, it's England.
Score Prediction:
England 3 Uruguay 1
Colombia vs Ivory Coast
This match between the 2 teams atop group C will go a long way in deciding who goes through to the next round. The Ivorians will be a threat in the air, but I don't think they will be able to cope with the quick play of the Colombian midfielders.
Colombia 2 Ivory Coast 1
Japan vs Greece
Both teams need a win to keep themselves alive in the tournament. Neither team has an extremely potent attack force, so I don't expect a lot of goals out of this match. I think Greece's defense will be able to handle the Japanese attack.
Japan 0 Greece 1
No comments:
Post a Comment