World Cup Draw.

[Stuttgart88]

That Brazil group is fascinating alright. 3 teams I'd have expected in the last 8 - one will be going home.

[endabob1]

Standard view seems to be that England got it easy.

I probably agree but is there a possible alternative view?

USA - well organised and athletic. If they bring their A game then they could win.

Slovenia - beat Hiddink's Russia and came out well in a group with Czech Rep and Poland, and the banana skin that NI usually are. Lowest goals against in qualifying.

Algeria - beat the African champions to qualify. I expect they'll be quick and technical as is the style of north African teams.

Both the US & Slovenia are decent sides but England are a better team under Capello, despite not having a partner for Rooney. Algeria are probably the weakest of the African sides that actually qualified, outside of North Africa the Arabian sides tend not to do well.
I think England will win all 3 group games, but if they do drop points I suspect it will be to the US who I have a sneaky feeling will get second.

[finbarrk]

I presume you will be at the Algeria game Enda?

[endabob1]

Unless I sell my tickets to some unsuspecting Sasanach at a vast profit to cover the costs of the other games

[Stuttgart88]

What's the weather sitaution at England's venues? I recall that during the Confed Cup you were saying that not all the venues would be cold-ish.

[endabob1]

Rustenberg should be warmish (20'ish) during the day in June but it drops at night
Cape Town is cold and wet in Winter normally low teens and you can get a lot of rain, that said I remember a few sunny days last winter, but for a reference check out the Lions v Emerging Springboks game from last year to see how bad it gets.
PE is Mild (mid teens) with occasional nice sunny days and a bit of rain, almost like an Irish summer!!