David28

Breaking News here are that Cacau is definitely out with an injury. That suggests that Klose will start as a lone striker again. Boateng and Schweinsteiger are still doubts as well.

FWIW we're the bookies favourites - very marginally like, but still. more a financial position than a judgement one i guess. i wonder if german domestic bookies have us as favourites (if there are german domestic bookies) ? You're right. Oddset (the only german bookmaker) has Germany as favourites to win this.

Should be able to play. He didn't get a straight red.

Feeling a bit sorry for Hitzfeld tbh. After beating Spain you normally deserve to go through to the next round - but not if you fail to beat Honduras.

Again, people harping on about technique when the English problem is one of mental strength or lack thereof. This. I think if it came down to pens, England will have already lost. Stevie G and Lampard have already missed last time against Portugal and I think it will play on their minds when they step up again. Or then again, they could do a Stuart Pearce and go mental once they've scored. I agree that when it comes to penalties it's down to mental strenght. So what about to don't let Gerrard and Lampard take a penalty? There are enough other players who could do and who haven't missed in one of the last tournaments. Rooney, Defoe, Crouch, J.Cole, Carrick, Barry and so on. Even the defenders should be able to take one.

From hearing Löw at the press conference it seems likely that Schweinstegier will be out for the next match. Could be that he does what Sir Alex did in the Champions League against Bayern, though - and Schweinsteiger will be starting.

Against the German team, Upson should suffice. There might be a lack of pace in the middle if he's alongside Terry, but not sure the Germans have anyone pacey who would be a threat. Cacau has looked dogshit. That Ozil guy is not fast? serious question Özil is actually not that fast. He has a bit of pace but nothing any defender should be worried about - it's more his ability on the ball (which he only showed against Australia and only glimpses against Ghana) Marin could be a problem. He will probably come on for the last 25 mins if Germany are a goal behind. He is faster than Özil and even has a better technique on the ball. Very hard to stop without fouling him. And I doubt btw that Cacau will play after his performance against Ghana. I fully expect Klose to return to the starting line up - which should be good for England. No German striker should really be a problem unless Klose hits some form like he had at previous World Cup's.

Would love Kevin-Prince Boateng and Anthony Annan here! Vittek btw is pretty awful (despite the 3 goals he's scored at the world cup so far). He wasn't good enough für Nurenberg. And they are an awful club. And I really really don't think we need Boateng. We have enough of these kind of players in Barton and Carroll. We don't need another player who is "dangerous". Not that we'd ever get him...but how could you think we don't need someone like Boateng? He would offer a touch of class and creativity to our midfield. Would be a fantastic signing. I haven't doubted his footballing ability. I have doubted his character.

Would love Kevin-Prince Boateng and Anthony Annan here! Vittek btw is pretty awful (despite the 3 goals he's scored at the world cup so far). He wasn't good enough für Nurenberg. And they are an awful club. And I really really don't think we need Boateng. We have enough of these kind of players in Barton and Carroll. We don't need another player who is "dangerous".

Capello should be a good enough manager to know how to stop Messi. Even Rehagel with his bloody bad team could stop Messi. Inter kept him quiet for 2 x 90 mins as well. Messi shouldn't be the problem. And if he isn't the problem anymore, there won't be any problem left. Barry would have to do a job on him as if he gets anywhere near the hole in front of Terry/ Carragher/ Upson he will take them to pieces. Could I see Barry doing an effective job on Messi? No. If Messi gets man-marked he won't be able to do anything in the game. Barry is better than that greek lad Sokratis who did a good job against Messi.

You're cheering for.... birds?

looks like a bloody good player. been very good so far this world cup, if he's the same in domestic football, CSKA Moscow got a really good deal there. Seems very arrogant, seems to think he's something better than the rest. Well, he is better than the rest out of his team. I thought this until his unselfish assist. Great player. Good point actually. If he was arrogant he might wouldn't have played there.

Capello should be a good enough manager to know how to stop Messi. Even Rehagel with his bloody bad team could stop Messi. Inter kept him quiet for 2 x 90 mins as well. Messi shouldn't be the problem. And if he isn't the problem anymore, there won't be any problem left.

looks like a bloody good player. been very good so far this world cup, if he's the same in domestic football, CSKA Moscow got a really good deal there. Seems very arrogant, seems to think he's something better than the rest. Well, he is better than the rest out of his team.

Red, we are the runner up and therefore the away team. Nice one. Being that our 2 performances in white were awful I feel a lot better about the lucky red. Not that I genuinely believe it'll make a blind bit of difference to the result like but still.. The last time we beat Germany in a major competition we played in red too. Will be red shirts with white shorts, though, right?

I'm also quite happy to see Germany win for obvious reasons (not on Sunday, of course) and I like Argentina because the way they play and Jonas.

Balotelli of Inter Milan.

Erm, what did he do besides giving away silly fouls and missing his chance to score? He gave the pass to the 2nd goal today. And in general he seems like their best player to me.

Yes that's the case. Urs Meier who works as an expert for the German TV said that as well. The goal should have counted.

Well done Slovakia. From their first game their captain Hamsik has impressed me. He has it all to become a really great player.

Yeah, that would make sense. "Well, Jlloyd, we'll sign you, because you're a very good lad that fits into that very good group of lads, but you won't play unless Jose Enrique gets injured".

Özil isn't injured. Schweinsteiger reimains a doubt. The german team-doc has said that Sunday could be too early. I think he'll make it, though.

As long as it doesn't go to penalties England will win. Germany had one good game - Australia. So had England vs Slovenia. If Germany play like against Ghana and England plays like against Slovenia, England will go through. They aren't as good as some people might think. Schweinsteiger is a doubt because of his injury as well btw.

Can't see Ghana getting anything today tbh. If there's no red card for Germany this time - which is a quite big if at this WC.

Will score against Germany. They will underestimate him because he hasn't scored yet. Could be a big plus in the end.