Italy and Paraguay Look Set to Make Knockout Stages

One old power and one tight knit team will emerge from Group F, Al is just left to work out if the latter is Slovakia or Paraguay.

Italy will rule supreme
This will be the last dance for many of the current Italian national team so expect a determined effort from the start to win the group. Paraguay presents the toughest challenge to Italy and I expect the Azzurri to bring their A-game early. While possessing one of the oldest rosters in the World Cup, Italy’s squad is also one loaded with talent and the ability to finish off opponents.

We have come to expect disciplined efficient performances from Italy. Since 1986 Italy has lost just 3 World Cup games outside of penalty shootouts, including unbeaten runs in 1990, 1998, and their World Cup winning 2006 team. Expect more of the same in South Africa with maximum points being acquired in the opening round.

Second place could go to goal difference
The battle for second is a straight two-way battle between Paraguay and Slovakia. Paraguay has a slightly stronger roster while Slovakia has a more favorable schedule. How the two teams fare against rank outsiders New Zealand will have an impact on World Cup betting for Group F.

I angered some All Whites fans with my assessment of their chances yesterday but there’s simply no denying this is an awful team which had a soft road to South Africa. Slovakia will need to make an early breakthrough against New Zealand to give them the breathing space necessary to try and pound the All Whites’ defense for 90 minutes. This will force Paraguay to go for a win against Slovakia as they won’t want to be stuck in a goal chase on the last day of the group stage, especially if Slovakia can somehow steal a point from Italy.

The final shake-up
The destiny of the Group F teams will come down to two factors. Firstly whether Italy will sweep all three opponents and secondly if there is a winner between Paraguay and Slovakia. Should the Azzurri drop points to either of the two sides battling for second then it could shake everything up. While the schedule favors Slovakia more to pull this off I’m not going to back the World Cup debutants to make the big breakthrough in 2010.

Paraguay has the talent and chemistry to beat Slovakia when it matters and that should be enough to take goal difference out of the equation and send the South American team into the knockout stages.

For the best World Cup odds check out Sports Interaction’s online sports book.