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Pressure grows on dire England

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 23/06/2010
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Everything is to play for in Groups C and D on Wednesday, with the distinct possibility of a major nation failing to qualify at some point in the day.

England are the giants in danger of being felled in Group C and they have the unenviable task of playing group leaders Slovenia, needing a win to go through.

Fabio Capello will make at least one change from the team that was so disappointing against Algeria as Jamie Carragher picked up his second yellow card in the goalless draw. Target man Emile Heskey could also miss out in favour of a midfielder, allowing Wayne Rooney to be the centre of the attack.

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Slovenia could be tempted to make a defensive change as they know that a draw would be enough to send them through, while the same is true of USA if England fail to win, although they should go for the jugular against a limited Algerian side as the Americans will definitely be through to the round of 16 if they win.

Group D favourites Germany are the other big name needing a win on Wednesday and, with a tough Ghana team standing in their way, will need to be at their best if they are to progress.

The Germans have been forced into a change in attack as Miroslav Klose is suspended following his red card in last week's defeat to Serbia.

Cacau and Mario Gomez will compete for that spot unless coach Joachim Low decides to change the 4-3-3 formation that destroyed Australia but failed to score against Serbia after being reduced to ten men.

In a section that had been given the 'Group of Death' tag before the World Cup began, the loss of one good team was certain and, even if Germany win, it would spell the end for Ghana or Serbia.

The African side were without their first-choice defensive pairing of John Mensah and Isaac Vorsah for the 1-1 draw with Australia but both are set to return, playing behind German-born midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Serbia have the easiest task of the day, as they need to beat an Australian side that has conceded five goals in the tournament so far. Tim Cahill returns from suspension for the Socceroos but Harry Kewell's red card in the last match rules him out.

The European side will need to step up their game nevertheless after losing to Ghana and beating Germany only after they gained a one-man advantage and saved a penalty.

Although Aleksandar Lukovic will be back from suspension there are six players one booking away from missing the last-16 match, should they get there, and coach Radomir Antic hasn't ruled out resting players to avoid that fate.

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