World Cup betting action starts on Friday, but for the United States and England, their tournament begins on Saturday afternoon at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg in Group C. Here are a few keys to the match that will ultimately decide what the outcome of this crucial duel will be.
Key #1 – Can the United States stop Wayne Rooney? This is something that really hasn’t come easily for many teams lately. It looks as though Rooney has taken it upon his shoulders to carry the Three Lions deep into the World Cup, as he scored nine times in as many matches in qualification for this event. The USA defense is full of talented stars, which will include GK Tim Howard, whom many accept as one of the top keepers in the world. Still, Rooney is world class and is often considered one of the best players that this great game has to offer. He’ll be a tough assignment for the central defenders.
Key #2 – Without Rio Ferdinand, is the British back line vulnerable? The United States simply has to take advantage of this fact. Hoping to cling to a 0-0 final just isn’t going to cut it. The English are still very strong at the back, but both Ds John Terry and Ashley Cole are sometimes more interested in trying to become a part of the attack and less worried about the play at the back. Ferdinand was also the team’s captain, and he’ll cede the armband off to M Steven Gerrard. The issue is that the Stars and Stripes are clearly weakest on their front line, and unless midfielders are going to come up into the action, this is going to be a tough net to try to break.
Key #3 – Who will win the battle up the wings in the midfield? With both teams employing 4-4-1-1/4-4-2 strategies for this match there is going to be a lot of pressure on the wing midfielders for both teams. Ms Joe Cole and Aaron Lennon could be vulnerable. The key to the match might just be M DaMarcus Beasley, who has 17 goals in 92 CAPS for the United States, including two in World Cup qualifying against Cuba in November 2008.
Between the play of Rooney and the height of F Peter Crouch on the front line, the British are almost certainly going to strike at some point in this match. Goal scoring has been at a premium at times for the United States, but if men like M Clint Dempsey and M Landon Donovan can really get into the act offensively, GK David James might find himself in some precarious situations.
The United States is good enough to take all three points from this match, but one should do the trick. Look for both teams to tally in what should be a fantastic match between two of the world’s better sides.
BetVega.com World Cup Prediction: England 1 – United States 1
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About Mike Rose
Most of the side has or does play in the English Premiership and know their opposition like the back of their hands, this is a factor again I believe the bookies are under estimating when I saw the pricing of this game.
England are a classy side but given how organised America are and the lack of fear they have towards England, we could see another famous result for the US.
However come the end of the game I believe that it will be Capello’s side will just have too much as the English depart Rustenburg with a small marginal victory very likely.