The three lions will try and look for a win against Algeria after a disappointing first match when Goal Keeper Robert Green made a huge blunder not holding to the much talked about Jabulani ball letting it to the back of the net.
It will be a crucial match, England will be glad to see the Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry back to the team after his injury playing for his club in May. He is now fit and Fabio Capello has confirmed that he will play against Algeria.”He’s one of the players who can stay in front of the two centre-backs and he makes this position work very well,” says Capello. It will be a boost for the team as England is struggling with Barry absence. “He allows Steve (Gerrard) and Frank (Lampard) to go forward and score goals. For this reason I’m happy that Barry will play.”
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Algeria Team
Despite their 1-0 loss to in their opening match Algeria will try to attack the weak English defence with now Ledley King likely to play after his injury during the first match. Their main man will be Matmour who plays in the mid-field but moves with his lightening pace behind striker Rafik Djebbour who is out of form in the past few months . “We have tried a few formats in training but, yes, that system is a possibility,” Matmour says cagily.
Nadir Belhadj who plays for Portsmouth will try to share some ideas and give tips to his mates about English Football. The left-back did after all tell the Algerian magazine Le Buteur this week that “England’s weakness is their defence. It is easy to penetrate.”
The other man to watch will be Karim Ziani who has been playing good football for Marseille and had a great first game against Slovenia. The desert boys will need their play maker to do some magic against the mighty English.
In the last three occasions Algeria hasn’t scored a goal and have lost all their matches against Ireland, UAE and Slovenia. As for England they have won their friendly against Mexico and Japan but have not got a clean sheet.
Wayne Rooney says, “Against Algeria, we can’t not be at our best and win the game. The further it goes, when you are playing against better teams, then you need to be at your best to win. Friday, we just have to win.”
Looking at the team and their past performance the Lions has the advantage over the 29th ranked Algeria. It will be very disappointing if the English don’t get a win as they are one of the favourites of winning the World Cup.
My Prediction: England 3-1 Algeria.
