In certainly the least attractive game on paper, but arguably one of the most intriguing, Honduras, featuring a squad containing 14 semi-professionals, take on Marcelo Bielsa's Chile, who finished second in their qualifying group behind tournament heavyweights Brazil. On paper, despite the presence of the influential and tireless Spurs midfielder Wilson Palacios, and Wigan's Luciano Figueroa, Honduras are widely expected to be easily dispatched by their South American group rivals. However after New Zealand were able to salvage a point yesterday quite literally against all the odds, who would bet against a similar occurrence today? Whilst I have almost no idea what the outcome of the game will be, if this World Cup does not start providing viewers with a slightly less meagre helping of goals, they may simply decide to switch off, or turn over to Coronation Street. Furthermore the half-empty stands at some of the less attractive games, admittedly not necessarily due to the scant number of goals scored, is not a sight anybody wants to see at the pinnacle of world football. As for a solution, besides inviting all the unofficial beer companies in the world to fill up the empty stands, as I'm sure Robbie Earle would be only to happy to do. Anyway I digress, back to the game and on paper Chile should expect to win this game by at least two goals, although as every football fan has learnt over the years, results are not decided on paper. However even without the prolific Humberto Suazo, Honduras will be hard pressed to claim even a point, and will need to remain resilient, determined and committed to the last, as New Zealand did yesterday.The second game of the day sees tournament favourites Spain, who have emerged as the only side capable, apart from the rather more dour Germans, of igniting this rather staid, goal-barren World Cup. Spain, not that it makes a huge amount of difference given the quality of their squad, have been given the luxury of a far easier group than even that enjoyed by England. Vicente del Bosque's side face Switzerland this afternoon, with the fit-again but not quite ready Fernando Torres set to be on the bench, and David Villa likely to be leading the line in a 4-5-1 formation. To be honest it matters little what formation La Roja employ; if the Spanish play to anywhere near their potential they should be able to dispatch Switzerland without breaking sweat. After all, any side able to leave Cesc Fabregas on the bench in favour of players considered to be better is certainly very special indeed. As for David Villa, he is an excellent bet to open the scoring this afternoon, and to finish the tournament as the Golden Boot, at an enticing 6/1. If he is unable to produce the goods then Spain will have to look to some of the squad players to deliver. This could potentially be an issue, given the lack of experience possessed by striking understudies Pedro Rodriguez and Fernando Llorente, who have just 10 caps and four goals between them. However wingers Jesus Navas and Juan Manuel Mata, not to mention Spain's extremely impressive midfield, almost certainly have a few goals in them, enough to emerge from the group unscathed at the very least. As for Switzerland, their man goal threats Alexander Frei and Hakan Yakin shouldn't pose an inordinate threat to the Spanish defence, and with a combined age of 63, are perhaps looking at their last appearance at a World Cup finals. Whilst the Swiss will not beat del Bosque's side, if Honduras and Chile were to share the spoils in the earlier game, who's to say that Switzerland couldn't place themselves in the driving seat with a victory in one of their remaining games? We will have to wait and see.
The late kick-off features our esteemed hosts, who will be hoping that amidst external turmoil, threats of strike action, a lack of security staff and poor weather conditions, they can provide some much needed relief. Their opponents are Uruguay, who played their part in one of the worst games of football I, and most of the footballing world not familiar with Middlesborough FC, have ever had the misfortune to witness. This game appears to be too close to call, with Uruguay certainly the better team on paper facing a South Africa side with a never-say-die attitude, and a passionate crowd acting as their proverbial 12th man. Whatever happens it will be narrow, perhaps a score draw or a 2-1 victory, or simply a 0-0, 1-1 or 1-0 as has been the depressing pattern so far. South Africa will be buoyed by their draw, but with the initial euphoria possibly having slightly diminished, will the increased expectations and hope accross South Africa act as an additional pressure on the team? If they are due to collapse at any point, it will likely be tonight, and Uruguay are not a side the South Africans ought to take likely, especially with a final group game against a France side that will by then have an awful lot to prove, and be desperate to progress. As with most games in this tournament, an early goal is essential, preferably for South Africa, as it will force the Uruguyans to attack and bring the game to the hosts. Should this happen, and indeed even if it doesn't, expect Diego Forlan to produce the goods he was unable to against France. With odds of 9/5 for him to score at any point tonight, a couple of quid looks like a very shrewd investment, and a nice way to give the game an excitement for those of us not following Bafana Bafana. However, as a neutral I would be delighted were South Africa to make it through, simply for the atmosphere they bring, and because this is their World Cup. So tonight I will be backing Bafana Bafana, possibly more in hope than in expectation, and desperately hoping for some goals and praying that another 1-1 draw is not on the cards. Although sadly, I feel it may well be.
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