England and USA Will Emerge From Group C

England and the USA will duel it out on June 12 but both will live to fight on into the knockout stages of the 2010 World Cup

If England slip it will be early
Like many major nations England has a tendency to get off to a slow start in major competitions. A narrow victory over Paraguay in the first game of the 2006 World Cup was preceded by a draw with Sweden at the start of the 2002 competition, and losses in its two most recent opening games in the European Championships. One major cause for this is the English season which is one of the latest to finish in Europe. This leaves players tired and in need time to gel at the start of the tournament. This year is no different so the USA might sneak a point in the opening game before England gets its act together and powers past the rest of the group. This traditional slow start by England is worth taking into account for World Cup betting.

Two is a crowd
On their own Algeria or Slovenia could represent a traditional outsider, a dark horse that could spring a surprise. Having both of them in the same group however helps neither. Underdogs typically rely on some element of cannibalism by the three other teams in their group. A draw in their opening match would actually hurt both of these sides while if one wins than it’s difficult to see the loser doing anything other than fall to two more defeats in group play.

It may sound confusing but in simple terms whichever team wins between Algeria and Slovenia will still have a long way to go before getting out of the group stage of this World Cup.

The final shake up
No matter what happens in the opening game between England and the USA, I fully expect Fabio Capello’s team to turn on the style against Slovenia and Algeria. At worst England wins two games and draws the opener, although I like them to beat the USA in a tight game. Either way England will top the group.

That leaves the USA in what looks like a scramble with Algeria and Slovenia for the last spot. In reality it won’t be tight. Having Slovenia second will suit Bob Bradley’s players more and if, as expected, they win that game then the United States should have enough gas left in the tank to send Algeria home early and continue their own journey in South Africa. Back England to top the group and the USA to join them in the knockout stages.

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