Group C Preview

Overview:

Group C sees England, the United States, Slovenia and Algeria battle for the top two spots. Many have predicted that England and the US should advance, and I would tend to agree with that notion. The British under Don Fabio Capello are using a 4-2-3-1 formation with Wayne Rooney leading the charge and Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard providing support through the midfield. However, like any British team there is the usual high levels of hype and expectation and anything less than first place for the Three Lions will be viewed as a major disappointment. Furthermore with the exclusions of Theo Walcott and Adam Johnson there is not much depth along the wings. In regards to the United States, the 2010 World Cup represents their easiest path to the Round of 16. Usually, the US is paired with two European heavyweights in prior World Cups. (2006 - Italy & Czech Republic & 2002 - Portugal & Poland) Well, maybe Poland is not a heavyweight, but at the time they were a formidable squad. This version of the US team is also dealing with abnormally high expectations which are evident in the increased television coverage this World Cup is receiving in the United States from ESPN and Sports Illustrated. I mean Peter King, of Monday Morning Quarterback, is going to South Africa to offer analysis. Perhaps the good people at SI can't differentiate between the two types of football, and figured one football expert would be able to relate to the other football. Slovenia qualified for the World Cup by dispatching Gus Hiddink's Russia in the European play-offs. The squad currently have no long-term injuries, one of the few at the tournament, yet they are extremely young and perhaps this squad will be better prepared for 2014 in Brazil. Algeria qualified for the World Cup after their one match play-off with Egypt. With the majority of the Algerian squad plying their trade in France, this squad will have a distinctive Ligue 1 feel to them. Discipline and maintaining one's composure will be instrumental for Algeria's success.

Players To Watch:

England - Wayne Rooney - Rooney is the most talented player England has possessed since probably the days of Paul Gascoigne. This last domestic campaign Rooney benefited the most from Cristiano Ronaldo's departure to Real Madrid and had his highest goal-scoring total with 34 goals in 44 appearances. However, Rooney has a tad of a temper just like Mr. Gascoigne and could be liability at the World Cup if he is not able to manage his emotions.

United States - Clint Dempsey - While Landon Donovan may be receiving the most publicity, in my humble opinion Clint Dempsey is the key man for the Americans. Dempsey just came back from a fantastic campaign helping Fulham to the Europa Final and if on the right form, will provide the secondary scoring that the US has lacked in prior World Cups.

Slovenia - Valter Birsa - Birsa, who currently plays for Auxerre, is a 23 year-old inside-out winger who usually attacks from the right. Birsa in the earlier part of his career struggled as a striker but the transition to winger has beneficial for not only his club side but also for Slovenia throughout the qualifying process.

Algeria - Madjid Bougherra - Bougherra plays in the center of defense for Algeria and Glasgow Rangers and helped lead Algeria to only allow 8 goals in 12 qualifying matches. Bougherra is extremely experienced form his time in the Scottish Premier League and is one of the few players who has the physicality to deal with the strikers from England and the United States.

Projected Order Of Finish:

England

United States
Slovenia
Algeria