Group F

Group F contains the holding Champions Italy, and interestingly they have appeared in more World Cup Finals than the other three Group F sides combined.

Those other three teams are Slovakia, New Zealand and Paraguay, and it is the Paraguayans who are deemed as the side to pose most of a threat to Italy, having qualified from the South American qualification group ahead of World Cup front runners Argentina.

The Italians have a World Cup headache to contend with before they kick off their campaign against Paraguay on Monday. With Andrea Pirlo injured with a calf strain, manager Marcelo Lippi will be seeking a replacement for a player who is integral in the Italian system. However the Azzurri are expected to have too much for their group opponents and qualification to the knock out rounds should be assured for the nation who have played more World Cup football than any other.

Their first opponents Paraguay have prepared thoroughly, and recently comfortably disposed of Greece with a 2-1 victory. Lucas Barrios has hit the ground running since his first appearance for the Paraguayans. The Argentina born striker has scored 3 times in as many games since taking Paraguayan citizenship in order to play in South Africa and his form will give manager Gerardo Martino great belief leading into their campaign.

Slovakia are outsiders in the group, and incidentally they are playing in their first World Cup finals since they became Slovakia, as previously they had been Czechoslovakia, who had qualified eight times. They topped their qualifying group, ahead of Slovenia and the Czech Republic. They have some quality players, including Liverpool centre back Martin Skrtel and captain Marek Hamsik. Napoli's creative midfielder has been linked with a big money move to the Premiership in recent weeks. Don't rule the Slovaks out who have a real chance of qualifying for the knock out rounds should other sides slip up.

New Zealand, who interestingly are the opposite to the Country's famous rugby side in the way that they play in all white, are appearing in only their second World Cup finals but Ryan Nelsen and company are not expected to have a substantial effect on the group, with the All Whites expected to finish bottom of Group F.

Fixtures

14th June

Italy VS Paraguay (Cape Town) Prediction: 2-1

15th June

New Zealand VS Slovakia (Rustenburg) Prediction: 0-1

20th June

Slovakia VS Paraguay (Manguang/Bloemfontein) Prediction: 1-2

Italy VS New Zealand (Nelspruit) Prediction: 2-0

24th June

Slovakia VS Italy (Johannesburg) Prediction: 1-1

Paraguay VS New Zealand (Polokwane) Prediction: 2-1

Paul Seed