England to Cruise Through Group C in World Cup 2010

England’s problems off the field won’t interfere with their progress through Group C of the 2012 World Cup.

How they got here
After the debacle of the 2008 European Championship qualifiers, England enjoyed a smooth ride to the 2010 World Cup. After making hard work of a trip to Andorra in their opening tie, Fabio Capello’s side laid out their intentions stomping Croatia 4-1 on the road. Comfortable wins against Kazakhstan and Belarus followed before a decisive 2-1 home win over Ukraine at the midway stage of the qualifiers.

That result gave England breathing room at the top of the group and Capello’s team took full advantage. England scored 15 goals and conceded just 1 in their next three games to secure a place in South Africa. A 1-0 road defeat to Ukraine was the only blemish on the Three Lions’ record and they rounded off the group with a comfortable 3-0 home win against Belarus.

Who to watch
For a team littered with stars it’s unusual so much of England’s hopes rest on the shoulders of one man but that’s the case with Wayne Rooney. England’s lack of striking options was telling in 2006 and this is a team which has long been starved of the international goal scoring prowess of Alan Shearer or Gary Lineker. In the last four seasons Rooney has stepped up and shown he is capable of filling these boots but he will need support. Partnerships with the likes of Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, and even veteran Emile Heskey are all possible. Don’t be surprised if Capello mixes it up in the group stage.

The personal lives of two stars could have serious ramifications for England’s defense. Ashley Cole has stopped fighting a driving ban but still has to deal with media attention over a messy separation. His Chelsea team mate John Terry has had his fair share of off the field distractions. While no country is immune to such transgressions, the British media tends to push these stories hard making issues off the park a serious concern for Capello. If any new allegations surface while the competition is on they should be factored into your World Cup betting choices.

How they will perform
For all their off the field distractions, this is a team loaded with talent and experience. The pressure from back home might prove telling in the knockout stages but there’s no doubt this England team is a cut above the rest in Group C. Capello’s charges may stumble to a draw in one of their games but it should be plain sailing otherwise. England will win Group C in style. What they do after that depends on how the other groups go.

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