England’s second World Cup game takes place tomorrow at 4pm local time in Sao Paulo, against a wounded Uruguay who will be desperate for Liverpool hitman, Luis Suarez, to be at full fitness and on top form in front of goal.
The 31-goal striker was one of the hottest men to watch coming into the finals but a late injury saw him miss the opening game in which his country fell very flat without him. Despite getting off the mark first, they failed to capitalize on their lead against Group D underdogs, Costa Rica, and paid the price in the second half. Finishing in a 3-1 loss for the South Americans, the vigor to atone for their mistakes in tomorrow’s game could well leave Roy Hodgson’s men pinned against the wall for much of the game.
Uruguay Team News:
Possible XI (4-4-2): Fernando Muslera, Martín Cáceres, Diego Godín, Sebastián Coates, Jorge Fucile, Cristian Rodríguez, Walter Gargano, Egidio Arévalo Ríos, Christian Stuani, Luís Suárez, Edinson Cavani
Suarez will be desperate to recover hope for Uruguay and will be very dangerous at the front alongside Edinson Cavani. The Paris Saint-Germain striker didn’t have a great game in their opener, slotting home a penalty but otherwise lacking sharpness. Both of them will go all out to be a handful for England’s young defense.
England Team News:
Possible XI (4-2-3-1): Joe Hart, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Steven Gerrard, Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling, Daniel Sturridge
England will be looking to Raheem Sterling’s trickery and pace to undo the Uruguayan defense that crumbled so easily against Costa Rica. The Three Lions really need to find a win in this game, after losing to Italy, if they want to keep the dream alive. Gerrard and Henderson will be forced back often though, helping to cover the attacking threat of Uruguay. Ross Barkley will almost definitely feature at some point early in the second half but what kind of a game he comes on to remains to be seen.
Soccerlens Prediction: Uruguay 1-2 England
There is definitely an element of hopefulness in my prediction but I think England can hit Uruguay on the counter attack and make the most of the pace they possess. They also have the experience of Wayne Rooney and Steve Gerrard in the side to balance them out.
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Uruguay: World Cup 2014 Team Page
England: World Cup 2014 Team Page
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