After a see-saw, topsy turvy day of results we now have 8 teams already in the round of 16. USA left it late to seal a spot and they in fact ended up topping group C. Ghana had to hold their breath after their loss to Germany. Once they got to know that the Socceroos bt the East-European Serbia, they could breath a sigh of relief since the team from down under had a very inferior goal difference as compared to the black stars.
Lets look ahead to Group F
P W D L F A GD Pts 1. Paraguay 2 1 1 0 3 1 2 42. Italy 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 22. New Zealand 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 24. Slovakia 2 0 1 1 1 3 -2 1
Italy Vs Slovakia
Paraguay Vs New Zealand
Another group wher any of the 4 nations can go through to the round 2.
Italy will miss Andrea Pirlo against Slovakia
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Italy: Gle Azzuri need to win in order to guarantee a spot in the next round. Loss will dump them out. A draw will be enough IF Paraguay beats New Zealand. If Paraguay draws with the all whites, then they could still go through if their draw is more high scoring than New Zealand’s. The Azzuri certainly would not want to leave it to that and would want to sign off with a victory. Montolivo has been Italy’s best player and it would be very interesting to see who Lippi will drop if Pirlo is fit. I dont think Motolivo would have played had Pirlo been fit in the first place. I would like to see De Rossi, Motolivo, Pirlo(if fit) in the middle. Cameronasi on the left, and Di Natalie & Gilardino up-front. If the AC Milan playmaker Pirlo is not fit, then Pepe will probably start. Lippi has not started with Di Natalie in both the previous matches. I would really like to see him start the game this time against Slovakia. The Udinese striker was the top scorer in Serie A with 29 goals. For a team that finished in the bottom 5, that is a phenomenal achievement.
Paraguay: They only need a draw against New Zealand to go through. A loss to New Zealand could jeopardize their chances to advance.
New Zealand: The amazing journey for the all-whites continues. A win against Paraguay and they can continue their honeymoon in SA. A draw may also be enough to see them advance to the next round.
Slovakia: Slovakia must win and hope that Paraguay either beats or draws with New Zealand to advance to the next round.
Predictions:
Paraguay 1 – 0 New Zealand
Italy 2 – 0 Slovakia
