Group C: Should be a walk in the park

England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

I was watching the World Cup draw live on TV, and no joke, every time they came to Group C I shouted out the team I wanted England to play against. I went 3 for 3. Why did I pick these teams? Well I thought, of the available teams for England to play against, this would be the easiest path to the second round.

Now this is not solely a result of my lack of confidence in England’s squad, because although there are some doubts I’m pretty happy about the team they’ve got, but because I thought the other three to be significantly weaker sides.

Having said that, please don’t hurt me if England somehow screw this up, as I will be drowning my own sorrows in the bottom of a keg.

Rio Ferdinand, the Lions’ captain and staring central defender, limped out of a South African hospital following Friday’s first training session. Good news or bad news? Well, after only a mediocre season at Old Trafford this year, I wasn’t sure he was up to starting at the back, however, looking at the alternatives, Ledley “I can’t train cuz my knees hurt, but let me play anyways” King and the relatively inexperienced Matthew Upson, Ferdinand’s experience will surely be missed.

Having said that, the captain’s armband will be given to Steven Gerrard in the absence of Ferdinand, and I’ve always thought he would make a better captain than Rio. So there is an upside. While Gerrard’s form this season was subpar, I feel a lot of that had to do with his disagreement with his manager, Rafa “Nobody understands my hand motions but I’m going to keep doing them anyways” Benitez.

As one of the favourites of the tournament, England should finish first here. Just please God, don’t let them EVER go to penalties.

The United States shocked America when they finalized their World Cup squad, omitting from their side teenage wonder boy Freddy Adu. Why? I have no idea. I guess they feel they’ll manage with the poor recent form of Jozy Altidore on the wing and Landon “Old man” Donovan in the middle – although Donovan impressed with his European stint in the Premier League with Everton. Clint Dempsey is also a threat up front, for his form with Fulham last season was quite impressive.

While England is clearly the class of this group, the USA should have no trouble walking over Algeria and Slovenia to get to the knockout stages.