World Cup 2010 Predictions: Group C

Despite what ESPN may think or promote, there are more teams in Group C than England and the United States.  Understandably the major hype in this group surrounds the England v. United States matchup on June 12th, but Group C will be a tough battle for all four teams.  Like most World Cup years, England believes they finally have the squad to win their first title since 1966.  Will this finally be the year that England breaks through and end their title drought?  Here are my predictions for Group C with each teams records and point totals in parentheses. 

 1. England (2-0-1, 7 points): England Algeria Slovenia Yanks.  That was the front cover of The Sun the day after the World Cup draw was announced.  The Three Lions realize that they have been handed a golden opportunity with the road that has been placed in front of them.  But England can't just sit back and think that their road to the World Cup title is all but gift-wrapped.  That has been one of their many problems in recent Cups.  New manager Fabio Capello is trying to change the attitude of this team and keep them focused on the ultimate goal.  If England is to win this group and advance far in this tournament, it will most likely be on the back of Wayne Rooney (Manchester United).  Rooney had a phenomenal season at Old Trafford scoring 26 goals in 32 Premiership games.  England has had injury and off-the-field issues that has cost them players such as Wayne Bridge (Manchester City) and possibly Gareth Barry (Manchester City), but the main core of Rooney, Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea) and Ferdinand (Manchester United) remains.  If England can get consistency from their back four and keeper, then maybe 2010 really will be "the year".

 2. Slovenia (2-0-1, 7 points): The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the first major tournament for Slovenia since 2002.  It is a well-deserved trip as well as they finished second in their qualifying group over the likes of Czech Republic and Poland.  If that wasn't enough, they stunned highly-touted Russia in a playoff to clinch a spot in the tournament.  Many people are sleeping on Slovenia and that is unwise for any team in this field.  Robert Koren (West Bromwich Albion) is the biggest playmaker in the Slovenian midfield and Zlatko Dedic (Bochum) and Milivoje Novakovic (Cologne) are formidable strikers.  But Slovenia doesn't rely on their offense to win games.  They do it on defense.  They haven't given up more than two goals in a game since November of 2008, which includes a narrow defeat against England 2-1.  Slovenia will be one of the surprise teams in this tournament and will move on to the knockout stages.

 3. United States (0-2-1), 1 point): At least to people in this country, the United States was one of the most disappointing teams in Germany in 2006.  Four years later, expectations are even higher after last summer's surprising second place finish in the Confederations Cup.  As nice as that was for United States soccer, it only makes the pressure this summer that much larger.  Are they a better team that four years ago? Yes.  Are they a team that can make a serious run? No.  The Yanks have had nagging injuries for a long time now that have cost Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Jay DeMerit (Watford), and Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan) serious time.  Also, don't underestimate the loss of Charlie Davies (Sochaux).  The U.S. didn't start clicking last summer until Davies was inserted next to Jozy Altidore (Villarreal).  Altidore won't be able to do it alone up front and it will be a short tournament once again for the United States.

 4. Algeria (0-2-1, 1 point): Algeria clinched their bid to South Africa in dramatic fashion last November when they knocked off their arch-rival Egypt.  It marks the Desert Foxes first trip to the World Cup since 1986.  Since clinching a berth however, things have not gone as well as coach Rabah Saadane would have liked.  They have lost their last two friendlies in convincing fashion to Ireland and Serbia and lost to Malawi in their first match of the Africa Cup of Nations.  If that isn't enough, Algeria has dealt with some injury woes as Madjid Bougherra (Rangers), the teams best defensive player, is coming into the tournament banged up.  Algeria's return to the World Cup will be short lived.