http://home.skysports.com/worldcup/article.asp?hlid=392529&CPID=4&clid=3100&lid=&title=Thompson's+Group+B+previewTHE SOCCER SATURDAY WORLD CUP GUIDE
Group B — Phil Thompson
The World Cup is, without a doubt, the best competition on earth.
Look at the cars, the houses and the pubs with all the St George's crosses. Look how it gets to people. There's belief and enthusiasm everywhere... until you read the press, that is.
Group B presents England with a challenge that I fully expect them to overcome, and in quite convincing fashion I might add. No other major nation bar Portugal faces as comfortable group stage as England. I really believe that.
That isn't meant in a disrespectful fashion. Sweden are a competent team who deserve respect and Paraguay are an unknown quantity. Trinidad and Tobago, with their sheer enjoyment of the occasion, will present a different type of challenge.
But look at our team, look at our squad, look at the players who won't even get into the first XI. If we don't finish top of the pile at the end of the group phase, I think we should ask Sven to refund his wages for the past four years.
I understand that some people in the media will always snipe and it's easy to get down when you think of things like Wayne Rooney's metatarsal. But listen to this - Paul Robinson, Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham, Michael Owen.
That spine's not just good enough to win the group - it's good enough to win the whole competition!
I'm not saying it's going to be easy, it's not. Sweden have a phenomenal record against England and if there's a style of football we tend to struggle against, it's South American, so we have to be careful.
Paraguay may not be Brazil or Argentina but they have a fantastic centre forward in Roque Santa Cruz, who I'm sure will make a dramatic recovery from his injury to face England in the group opener on June 10.
England's natural style is one of forceful, sometimes careless, intent. They thrive off balls up to the front, whether to the head of Crouch, round the back for Owen or to the sides for Rooney or Joe Cole.
But they do tend to give possession away cheaply at times. Paraguay may not have the personnel to make them pay but I don't see them lying down. We have to win the opening game to set the tone, and I think we will.
There will be a few nervous moments, however, and that goes throughout the group.
Sweden have some big names, the Ljungbergs, the Larssons, but they are ageing, especially at the back. They also don't find goals easy. They should get the better of Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago too, but don't expect it to be straightforward.
For me, Trinidad and Tobago will make this group. There's a team in every tournament who rise to the occasion and scare their more illustrious opponents rigid. I'm not predicting a shock defeat but Sweden best be careful in their group opener.
Overall, I see a comfortable passage to the knockout stages for England, even though I expect them to take a while to hit their stride. Sweden also have the player power to push aside the likes of Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago.
But four years ago Senegal made a mockery of that sort of talk when they beat France 1-0 in the opening game. If either of them take Paraguay or Trinidad and Tobago lightly, they could be in for a painful surprise.
MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING...
England v Trinidad and Tobago.This will be one of those World Cup occasions to cherish. With respect, and the exception of Dwight Yorke, T&T are made up of journeymen pros from the lower leagues in England and Scotland. This is the biggest match of their lives. The noise when they get into the England half, yet alone near the goal, will be deafening! I can't wait for this one. It will be a great event.
STAR OF THE SHOW...
Sometimes fate deals you a bad hand that eventually works to your favour. I'm not saying Wayne Rooney's absence is an advantage to England but if it frees up Steven Gerrard and allows him to plays to his strengths, he could end up being the player of the tournament. Yes he's had a long season, but he missed out on the last World Cup due to injury. At 26, he is in his prime. This is his time.
KEY GAME...
If everything goes to plan, and there's no guarantee that will happen, but if it does, England v Sweden will decide the group order. It could be the difference between meeting Germany in their own backyard in the second round, or Poland, Costa Rica or Ecuador. I know which one I want. Hopefully England will finaly put one over the Swedes. It's been a while.
AND FINALLY, WHERE THEY WILL FINISH...
If England are professional, focused and well prepared, they will finish top. If they aren't, they will finish second to Sweden and that could be a nightmare. Paraguay will be behind the top two, though only above Trinny on goals scored.
1st - England; 2nd - Sweden; 3rd - Paraguay; 4th - Trinidad & Tobago
Interview by Scott Barefoot
