WORLD CUP: Group B Preview

Will injuries dim England's luster?

ENGLAND
Odds: 7-1 (t2/32 teams). FIFA Ranking: 10 (10/32).
Previous appearances: 11. Podium finishes: 1st (1966).

Four years ago, they opened their World Cup campaigns with a hard-fought 1-1 tie and neither coach will relish another full-blooded battle just a few days before knockout play commences this time around.
The rivalry between England and Sweden goes back a long way, and the fact that Sven Goran Eriksson will again coach against his native country adds to the intrigue, as does the fact the English haven't beaten the Swedes in 10 meetings since 1968.
ôSooner or later we have to beat them,ö said Eriksson.
In 2002, Sweden won the group on goal difference; this time, the runner-up probably meets Germany in the round of 16.
England will field one of the strongest teams in the competition, yet the luster dims somewhat if forwards Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen and left back Ashley Cole arenÆt fully recovered from injuries. An initial scan May 25 on Rooney indicated he was healing quickly from his fractured metatarsal yet wouldnÆt be ready to play until mid-June at the earliest.
ôHe would be a loss, but not a big loss,ö says Real Salt Lake assistant coach Peter Mellor, a native of England who played for Manchester City. ôWith Owen and [Steven] Gerrard and the rest they still have a lot of good players.ö
The back line, anchored by John Terry, is solid if not dominant, and a midfield led by Gerrard and Frank Lampard can overpower most teams. Eriksson has pondered moving Gerrard up to forward as a partner for either Owen or Peter Crouch, and he raised some eyebrows by including 17-year-old forward Theo Walcott, who has yet to play for Arsenal.
ôI think England are probably a little bit better than they were at Japan in 2002 and they have found a very good balance now, with great players,ö says Sweden coach Lars Lagerbeck, who was co-coach of the Swedish team in 2002.
English keeper Paul Robinson is a superb shot-stopper with good range. His youth (24) and lack of major-tournament experience might be costly if the defense springs too many leaks.
ôThe coach has confidence in him and thatÆs all that really matters,ö says Mellor. ôI think the players know heÆs good enough.ö

SWEDEN
Odds: 33-1 ( t10/32 teams). FIFA Ranking: 16 (12/32).
Previous appearances: 10. Podium finishes: 2nd (1958), 3rd (1950, 1994)

Few teams in the tournament have as potent a frontline pairing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Larsson, although Larsson is 33 and will need backup. Several Swedes, including defensive stalwart Olaf Mellberg and livewire winger Freddie Ljungberg, play in the English Premier League and know their English opponents as well as Eriksson, who attends league matches just about every weekend, knows them.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Odds: 750-1 (32/32 teams). FIFA Ranking: 47 (29/32).
Previous appearances: 0. Podium finishes: -.

Trinidad & Tobago has its own connections to England, where Dwight Yorke labored for 17 seasons and several current players are still employed, including former Howard University goalkeeper Shaka Hislop of West Ham United. There are MLS ties, too, with Revs defender Avery John and Galaxy forward Cornell Glen and former Columbus striker Stern John on the team.
Yorke (34) and midfield general Russell Latapy (37) donÆt have the wheels to play three full games but T&T can cause trouble if they can set up good chances for John and Kenwyne Jones.
ôHe is a special talent that can unlock any defense,ö says Yorke of Latapy, labeled the ôLittle Magicianö early in a career that took him to Portugal and Scotland. ôHe has amazing ability to feed passes and can go past people whenever he wants.ö

PARAGUAY
Odds: 100-1 (t17 /32 teams). FIFA Ranking: 33 (22/32).
Previous appearances: 6. Podium finishes: -.

Paraguay has advanced to the second round in the last two World Cups and is quite capable of taking points off teams in this group. Midfielder Julio Dos Santos and striker Roque Santa Cruz play for Bayern Munich, and forward Nelson Valdez is a regular for Werder Bremen. Competing in their third World Cup are playmaker Roberto Acuna and defensive linchpins Carlos Gamarra and Denis Caniza.
In 1988, the Paraguayans took second place, ahead of Spain, after they tied Spain, 0-0. Four years ago, the Paraguayans snuck into second place behind Spain after beating Slovenia, 3-1. If their resilient defense can frustrate the Europeans, this group wonÆt be as clearcut as it might seem, but Paraguay could be shorthanded in its opener if Santa Cruz isnÆt healthy.
After missing five months of the season with a knee injury before returning in late March, Santa Cruz apparently aggravated the injury in training camp and was held out of warm-up games. His status for the June 10 showdown with England in Frankfurt is unclear.

Odds are Ladbrokes odds as of May 30.
FIFA/Coca Cola rankings are as of May 17.