World Cup Group F Preview

A group that includes the defending Champions, Italy have been handed a kind group stage draw but I can not see them reaching the final this year, let alone defending their crown for the second time. Paraguay have a chance to cause a surprise in this group, while Slovakia are making their debut and New Zealand are making up the numbers.

Italy

An experienced side, with 9 of the 2006 winning squad returning, including goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and captain Fabio Cannavaro. Marcello Lippi has done it before so he can have every reason to believe he can do it again. Italy had their breaks in 2006, but to do it again would likely see them needing to beat Brazil and Spain at some point. Not going to happen.

Gianluigi Buffon remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world. In front of him is an ageing Fabio Cannavaro, whom despite all his experience and expertise will get caught out for pace in a one-on-one situation if he faces that in 2010. Gino Gattuso is likely to remain in the first team despite not being a regular for AC Milan this season. Andrea Pirlo remains a doubt with a calf injury. Without him there is a distinct lack of creativity in the midfield after Marcello Lippi overlooked Francesco Totti. Up front they have a hit man in Alberto Gilardino who is looking to outdo Luca Toni’s 2 goals in the last tournament that made him joint-Italy top scorer. A good tournament here could spark a big summer move for the Fiorentina striker. The Italians will be relying on his goals, a solid defence and a few more controversial decisions if they’re to progress deep this year.

Paraguay

Featuring in a fourth consecutive World Cup and coming off a third place finish in qualification with their highest-points tally, some people are expecting Paraguay to cause a surprise at this tournament. Back to reality, Paraguay have weaknesses to argue against them going far in this tournament, although a second round spot is well within range.

Paraguay have a good strike force to choose from, with Oscar Cardozo, Roque Santa Cruz, Nelson Valdez and new boy on the blocks, Lucas Barrios all giving coach Gerardo Martino a selection headache. The good kind of headache. Gone are the days of Jose Luis Chilavert in goal, but Justo Villar is hoping it’s third time lucky for the short shot stopper, having been backup in 2002 and injured in his first game in 2006. Julio Cesar Caceres is the best defender, with excellent timing of his challenges one of his main assets. Played in two previous World Cups, he is one of the many experienced defenders in Paraguay’s team this year. If the uncreative midfield can supply the talented bunch of strikers they have, Paraguay should be looking to progress from the group stage for the fourth time in their last five World Cups.

Slovakia

Qualifying for their first World Cup as an independent nation, Slovakia look to be competing with Paraguay for second spot this year. There’s a few talented players in this squad looking to impress big European sides for a potential summer move. Few household names, but that doesn’t harm them from progressing or proving anyone wrong.

This nation has the father-son factor of Vladimir Weiss and Vladimir Weiss. The former is the manager and the latter is the player. Weiss, whom Manchester City fans got to see for a few minutes last season, and Bolton for a handful of games has blistering pace down the wing and is a player of much potential. He plays in midfield with 22-year old captain Marek Hamsik, forming the strongest part of Slovakia’s midfield and one that can be around for a few future tournaments. Up front they have Stanislav Sestak who offers good finishing ability, despite only finally coming good at national level in qualifying. Defensively Martin Skrtel offers a one man wall but will need help from his teammates to keep out the likes of Italy and Paraguay in this group.

New Zealand

Contenders for the whipping boys in the tournament, New Zealand may be spared their blushes with Honduras facing a couple of bigger goal threats in their group. Great performance to get here, but the likes of Croatia and Russia may not enjoy seeing New Zealand making up the numbers back home.

The nation is buzzing back home and football and the quality of facilities back home is on the way up. As for them competing serious in this competition, I have my doubts. They looked woeful in the 2009 Confederations Cup. In Ryan Nelson they have a solid defender at the back. He plays alongside a number of players who still play in the weaker football leagues, such as New Zealand and Australia. West Brom’s teen Chris Wood, Middlesbrough’s Chris Killen, Ipswich’s Tommy Smith and Plymouth’s Rory Fallon may be known to some, but this team enters the World Cup fairly unknown looking to earn respects from football fans and writers such as myself

Value Bets

Alberto Gilardino to be Italy’s top goalscorer 3/1
New Zealand to finish with 0 points 5/4
Lucas Barrios to be Paraguay’s top scorer 4/1