The Three Lions vs La Albirroja

At first glance,the title of this post doesn't seem as if it's even minutely concerned with football. But a deeper look will reveal the hidden meaning.Yes folks its England vs Paraguay to clas in the World Cup today.Paraguay will be looking to emulate their highflying South American counterparts,the men from Ecuador who upset the Poles' 2-0 yesterday in Group E.

This England squad has very good players for every position on the pitch. And the best part of it ---everybody right from Owen upfront to Terry at the back can score.Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is a slight doubt going into the game and this probably opens the door for Michael Carrick or Owen Hargreaves to step in.May be if I were Sven i might think on giving Aaron Lennon a few minutes on the pitch inplace of Gerrard. The Tottenham winger has been hugely impressive in the Premiership and is an unknown quantity for the Paraguyuan defence marshalled by veteran Carlos Gammarra.With Rooney not yet having recovered fully,new England hero Peter Crouch gets another opportunity to repeat his Robot dance.

The Paraguyuans are no pushovers . I remember one very flamboyant personality from their last edition squad--Jose Chilavert. The veteran custodian will not be in Germany however. The onus will be on Roque Santa Cruz and Nelson Valdez,both of whom ply their trade in Germany to get them goals.
Possible English Lineup
Robinson
---Neville-------------Terry---Rio--------------------A.Cole

Becks------Gerrard/Carrick--------Lampard--------------J.Cole

Crouch--------------Owen
My verdict--England have high hopes pinned on them this time and will want to prove that they are worth the hype generated about them before the WC.I feel Joe Cole could be a key player for them today. Its not that the others won't be but the left winger has a penchant for scoring goals ,especially when needed.