 It’s Tuesday and another big day over here as the host nation are back in action.
I think it’s fair to say Ecuador have surprised everyone with their displays so far. The smart money was on Poland to grab second place in Group A, but a return of two wins out of two speaks for itself.
In Agustin Delgado they have a striker bang in form. He came over to England with quite a reputation when he joined Southampton a little while ago, but it didn’t work out on the south coast as he was either unfit or AWOL.
Delgado’s gone some way to showing Saints fans what they missed out on by hitting two goals in Ecuador’s two games so far, but against Germany I can’t see it being so easy for him.
It promises to be a tight game but, with the home support behind them, Germany should come through.
Miroslav Klose is the man firing on all cylinders for the host nation. He looks like scoring every time the ball goes in the box and I’m backing Klose to get the first goal in a 2-0 win.
Paulo Wanchope has put himself firmly in the shop window with his displays for Costa Rica this summer and he’ll be looking to add to his tally against Poland.
The big man is backing playing in his home country for now, but he’d love another chance in England and I know quite a few clubs in the Premiership have been contacted by his people.
Paulo looked like a world beater in the first game of the tournament when he bagged two against Germany and I’m sure he could do a good job should he get another chance back in Blighty.
When you think back to how Poland romped through qualification, their performances in the World Cup have been even more disappointing.
They couldn’t stop scoring on the road to Germany, but haven’t troubled the score-sheet in their two opening group games and I’m not sure they’ll change that today.
It’s got to be another defeat for the Poles, with Paulo Wanchope breaking the deadlock.
This evening we have a game that the whole of the country predicted would be vital to England’s chances this summer. While we’ve already guaranteed progression in to the knock-out stages, there’s still the matter of securing top spot in Group B.
It certainly won’t be easy against Sweden as they have had the Indian sign over England for some years.
I’m sure Sven-Goran Eriksson is as keen as anyone, if not more so, to put an end to that against the country of his birth and I’ve got a feeling he’ll be smiling before the night’s out.
Wayne Rooney’s return to the starting XI is a major plus for the team and each of those players will appreciate what he gives for the cause. Rooney can dictate a game from just behind the front and England have badly missed that in the opening group fixtures.
I’m positive we’ll see a different Michael Owen against Sweden as he’ll thrive off the threaded balls through that Wayne can provide.
It’s got to be England all the way, with young Michael setting the ball rolling in a 2-0 win.
The other game in Group B sees Trinidad & Tobago take on Paraguay. While I’ve liked what I’ve seen of Paraguay, I’ve been more than impressed with Dwight Yorke and co.
Yorkie has thrived in his new role in midfield and I’m backing him to pull the strings in a 1-0 win.
That’s all for now, I’ll be back tomorrow.
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