My 2p,
England will make it to the next round.
Think Rooney will play, and quite well too. Barkely and Lallana as cover/sharing time with him, all good players but seem to occupy the same space too much to play together – it’ll be one of three on the pitch at a time.
Starting front 6 – SG, Henderson (Wilshere on if chasing), Milner, Sterling, Rooney, Sturridge. Hodgson likes one worker wide mid and one really quick attacking wing like Townsend or Walcott -only Sterling fits now. Think he’ll hold him back a little in the friendlies so Italy don’t get too much idea, but he’ll trust him in Manaus as a bit of a surprise.
Italy are nothing special at the ‘mo, and Uraguay’s best player will be missing or lacking match fitness (although he’ll come good in the next round onwards). Personally, can see a few draws and qualification down to how many scored against Costa Rica.
And they’ve got the Costa Rica game last, who could be out by then anyway, so they’ll know what’s needed.
If that happens, the’re up against a group C team, Columbia, Greece, IC, Japan, – nothing too special there. So they’ve every chance of winning that too.
So Quarters it is, then anything can happen, but expect to play against top quality there.
My dark horse is Chile, I reckon they’l send one of Spain or Holland home in group B , but really need to top the group to avoid Brazil next round. Possible with a draw and goal difference, Ozzie keeper to be the busiest man in the first round as all three of them will want top spot.
Expect Brazil to top their group, then they’ve got a group B tie, that if they get through I reckon they’l go all the way. With Fred for the golden boot.
