Venue: Slovenia v USA in Johannesburg – World Cup Group C Match
Date Friday, June 18, 2010
Match Time: 4pm (local)
Slovenia v USA Odds: Slovenia win 3.30; draw 3.30; USA win 2.20.
Key players – Slovenia: Robert Koren, Milivoje Novakovic, Bostjan Cesar. USA: Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey.
Tickets: TBA
Livestream: Coming Soon

Slovenia v USA Predictions:
Frank Finnegan: This promises to be the pivotal game in Group C. If things go true to form on Matchday One, Slovenia will be sitting on 3 points heading into this match, while the US will be on 0. If this is the case, the defensively-tough Slovenians will hunker down and battle for a draw, which the US cannot afford. Hopefully for the US, Jozy Altidore will be completely healthy for this match, as they will need every piece of firepower at their disposal. Bob Bradley should be rolling a much more offensive-minded lineup in this match than in the England match. This will a tough battle, but I think the US will have just enough to pull through, 2-1 (I just don’t see the US defense shutting out anyone right now). Hopefully, it’s not just a case of me looking at this match through red, white and blue-colored glasses.

Greg Neville: Much will depend on Slovenia’s result five days prior against Algeria. A win there might give the unlikely European qualifiers a slight glimmer of hope to cause an upset and progress out of this group. Do I believe they will – no, but I didn’t think they would beat the highly fancied Russia in the qualifying playoff. Hours earlier, England will have stamped its authority on this group with a win over Algeria and both sides will be well aware they are playing for second place and continued life in the tournament. USA wins a gutsy battle 1-0.

Alex Michaels: This could well be an interesting match for a number of reasons based on the opening results. Let’s say the USA, who it’s clear are very pumped up for the opening match against England, register a shock win against Rooney and Co., will they be able to keep that momentum going against Slovenia? Or will they suffer a comedown and struggle to get going at the same level when pressure and expectations increase? Or if they don’t beat England, can the Americans bounce back against their less fancied opponents? Whatever the opening results, Slovenia shouldn’t be underestimated, and as such, I think this one will be a draw.

Ron Patel: The Slovenians must be loving this. Everyone is focusing on the England-USA game, and no one gives them a shot of advancing. That’s silly. Slovenia probably beats Algeria in its opener, automatically gaining an advantage over the US if the latter, as expected, loses to England. Further, Slovenia beat Russia in the playoffs, which was huge. Slovenia is tough to break down defensively, and if the Americans chase the game, that plays right into the Slovenians’ hands. Slovenia 2-1.

Other June 18 matches:
World Cup Group D match: Germany v Serbia in Port Elizabeth at 1.30pm.
Germany v Serbia Odds: Germany win 1.72; draw 3.75; Serbia win 4.50.
World Cup Group C match: England v Algeria in Cape Town at 8.30pm.
England v Algeria Odds: England win 1.28; draw 5.50; Algeria win 10.00.