2010 FIFA World Cup: England vs USA Preview

England will have to carry the hopes and dreams of an expectant nation on their shoulders today when they open their World Cup campaign against USA.

It has been four years since Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty knocked England out of the last World Cup. In just a few hours, the wait will be over and England's campaign will get underway.

Their first game against our “friends” over the Atlantic will be held in Rustenburg. Bob Bradley's USA team are more of a threat than first thought.

The American team are ranked No. 14 in the world. They won six out of their 10 qualifying matches to finish top of their group, and also won half of their friendlies in 2010.

Capello and the rest of the country believe the USA will not be a banana skin for us to slip on, just another team we will beat on our way to the final. Capello has kept everyone in the dark about who is in the starting XI—even the players themselves. 

He admitted two days ago that he already knew his side—injuries permitting. We can guess the majority of the team, but there are a few positions that are unclear.

The goalkeeping position is still up for grabs. All three keepers are in contention of starting in between the posts. Fabio will have a tough decision to pick one of David James, Rob Green, and Joe Hart, who have all shown they can deal with the pressure.

With Rio Ferdinand injured and out of the tournament, a new central defensive partner for John Terry must be found. Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Jamie Carragher, and Michael Dawson are all available.

Gareth Barry is unlikely to be fit enough to play in the midfield holding role, although his quick recovery from an ankle injury has been added encouragement to the coach. Steven Gerrard is expected to partner Frank Lampard in the middle of the pitch.

Wayne Rooney is an obvious choice. The question is: Who will partner him up front?

There are two options. He can play a 4-5-1 formation, which leaves Rooney on his own, or get him another striker to play with.

Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, and Jermain Defoe are Capello's options. Two out of three of these would be a good choice—Heskey wouldn't be.

England's odds are so pretty good at 2:1, while the USA are 6:1 outsiders for success at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

However, they shouldn't be underestimated following their exploits at the Confederations Cup last summer. They beat Spain on their way to a narrow defeat to Brazil in the final.

Members of their team are not strangers to English football. They have a number of players with Premier League experience, including the likes of Tim Howard, Jonathan Spector, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey.

This game is going to be closer than we thought when the names were first drawn. I have a lot of respect for the USA team, but being an Englishman I have to say that England will win this match.

My prediction: England, 2-0.