Group D | Thursday 19 June | Arena Corinthians, Sao Paulo | 21:00
Uruguay take on England in a mouth-watering clash as both sides come into the game off disappointing results in desperate need of a win to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
To Win (90mins)
Uruguay 24/10
Draw 23/10
England 11/10
URUGUAY
Watching from the bench, Luis Suarez saw just how much his teammates missed him as Uruguay were overrun 3-1 on Friday by Group D underdogs Costa Rica.
A shocking result for the team that reached the semi-finals four years ago and had every reason to think they could repeat that in Brazil.
Even with Suarez staying on the bench for the entire game after failing to fully recover from a knee surgery, coach Oscar Tabarez fielded a side that included eight players from the 2010 team.
But after going ahead through a first-half penalty, Uruguay were taken apart on counter attacks as Costa Rica scored three times in the second half to open Group D with a major upset.
Uruguay will be eager to move on from their disappointing defeat to Costa Rica and will have their eyes set on beating England.
Diego Lugano has long been a stalwart in central defence for his country, but recent struggles on the club front have left many to wonder if his best days are long gone.
Fortunately, his partner in the middle, Diego Godin, is coming off a fantastic season with his club team, Atletico Madrid.
An assured defender with a knack for scoring off set pieces in the biggest moments, Godin may be as important to Uruguay’s chances in Brazil as Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
Suarez still remains a fitness doubt against England, despite training with the national side but if Uruguay are to have any chance against the Three Lions they will be hoping their star striker will overcome his injury and be available from the start.
ENGLAND
England couldn’t get their World Cup campaign off to a winning start as Italy beat Roy Hodgson’s men 2-1 in Manaus.
Daniel Sturridge’s equaliser looked to have given England hope after they went 1-0 down, courtesy of a superb Claudio Marchisio strike, before Mario Balotelli sealed the win with a well-timed header.
A difficult test now awaits Hodgson’s men as England take on a dangerous Uruguay side in their second match of Group D.
Hodgson will be relying on Wayne Rooney to follow up a successful Euro 2012 with a strong performance in Brazil.
The Manchester United striker has yet to score a World Cup goal after drawing yet another blank against Italy on Saturday and will be hoping to break his duck against Uruguay.
He will be paired with Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge, who has already found the net in the tournament while Raheem Sterling will be hoping to retain his place in the side after making his debut for England.
The Three Lions have a good young team who can hurt opponents on the counter attack, and will almost definitely cause the Uruguayan defence problems.
The result against Italy may have been disappointing, but England’s approach to the game certainly wasn’t.
Whereas England sides of the recent past have been weighed down by unrealistic expectations, producing a brand of football capable of sending even the most interested of observers to sleep, this one is full of excitement and ingenuity, with an abundance of pace and class in forward areas.
And, for once, England have plenty of options. Ross Barkley looks like a world-beater in the making who is never overawed despite his relative inexperience, and Adam Lallana brings trickery and the kind of quick feet that can open up a tight game.
Betting Prediction: ENGLAND 11/10
Uruguay were disappointing against Costa Rica and England will look to expose their weak points. Whether Luis Suarez starts or not, he’ll be far from full fitness and that will work in England’s favour. England are tipped for the win.
Written by Chadley Nagel for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
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