 We’ve got another great game to look forward to today as the Czech Republic take on Italy.
Arsenal look to have bought a fine player in Tomas Rosicky and he’ll be looking to rediscover the form he showed in the Czechs’ first game after looking a little out of sorts last time out in their defeat to Ghana.
As far as Italy are concerned, they will be desperate to get things back on track after drawing with America.
I thought Luca Toni was particularly poor in that game, particularly when you consider he’s the first striker in years to get 30 goals in a Serie A season. He certainly can’t be any worse today than he was against the USA and I’ve a feeling he’ll bag the first in a 2-0 win for the Italians.
There’s still all to play for in Nuremburg where Ghana and the USA go head to head. It might be a big ask, but both sides are still in with a shout of qualifying for the knock-out stages.
Ghana’s performance against the Czech Republic made everyone sit up and take notice and the confidence they will have taken from that is sure to have a big bearing on this game.
Let’s not forget the US were down to nine men for almost the entire second half against Italy, and their heroics will also have boosted Bruce Arena’s men.
On balance though, I’ve got to go for Ghana in this one. Michael Essien of Chelsea has come close to breaking his duck on a few occasions this summer and I think his luck will be in to edge it for the Africans in a very tight game.
The world has been waiting for Brazil to show us what they can do, but that samba magic just hasn’t got going so far.
The Brazilians must put on a performance if they are to remain the favourites to lift this World Cup. I think we might just see one against Japan today, as long as Ronaldinho is given the chance to shine in his best position just behind Adriano, with Ronaldo relegated to the bench.
The Japanese have made a habit of flattering to deceive and they haven’t really shown us anything different this summer. They have picked up one point but won’t be adding to that against Brazil.
I’m backing Ronaldinho to pull the strings, with Adriano hitting the first goal in a 3-0 win.
Finally there’s Croatia versus Australia and, after the Aussies ran Brazil close last time out, there’s only one winner for me here.
The Croats have still to score their first goal in this year’s World Cup and I can’t see them getting it today.
It’s going to be tight, but it’s got to be the Socceroos to make it through to the knock-out stages with a 1-0 win, courtesy of Mark Viduka.
That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow.
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