The maths for this game couldn’t be more interesting after the shock victory of Costa Rica against Uruguay. Uruguay v England is looking like one of those defining games of this World Cup with England hitting form but losing to Italy and Uruguay going down 3-1 in a shock defeat. Uruguay did struggle to qualify but the pundits expected them to find another gear for the tournament itself rather than limp along in a static and predictable 4-4-2
Uruguay have a diminishing talent pool which explains the inclusion of some very old players which makes injuries and suspensions a serious issue for the manager Tabarez. The red card to Pereira showed the frustration Uruguay have with their makeshift back line and will add further difficulties Players will need to play out of position to fill the cracks. Martin Caceres is a right-footed player playing at left-back but he could be moved in favour of Alvaro Pereira or Jorge Fucile, the later having not played for six months. England could really exploit this uncertainty and possible lack of fitness with their pacey attack.
Uruguay played very static in their first match and clearly have more to improve upon with their team. They were slow in their build-up play and important members of their team played below-par for their own standards. The addition of Suarez will certainly spruce up the movement and imagination in the Uruguay attack if he is as fit as he insists and England fail to deal with the sizeable threat he poses.
England by contrast impressed in their opener and had one of their best games in some time and should consider themselves unlucky to have not got something from the game with Italy. The only real questionmark seems to be were to play Rooney who is coming under increasing pressure to deliver at this World Cup. Moving him into a more central role seems to be what the public wants but why change a system that works? We shall see I guess. This will be a real lifeline for their World Cup ambitions and with a defeat not actually spelling the end a win will do the team the world of good.
Source: DSG
