Group F
One minnow, one cert, two slugging it out for the second place – it’s the classic World Cup group.
You can never be sure which Italy will turn up for any major tournament, and frankly the Juventus back line hasn’t had a great season, but they’re always a hard team to beat. Scoring goals is more of an issue, though New Zealand seem set up as target practice for everyone. Slovakia should be competitive but Paraguay might have enough extra experience to edge second place.
Italy
FIFA ranking: 5
Head coach: Marcello Lippi Big issue: The current holders often flatter to deceive, and the current squad looks better at defence (some aging bodies there, though) than attack – del Piero has retired, Toni and Totti are out of favour, leaving ... well, who?
One to watch: Daniele de Rossi (midfield, Roma)
We predict: Second round
Chances: 16/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Mon 14 Jun | 22:30 | Cape Town |  Paraguay |
| Sun 20 Jun | 18:00 | Nelspruit |  New Zealand |
| Thu 24 Jun | 18:00 | Johannesburg |  Slovakia |
New Zealand
FIFA ranking: 78
Head coach: Ricki Herbert (since February 2005)
Big issue: A tiny population and a modest domestic league produce an odd mix of players – one or two from the English Premier League and the Championship, two play in the States, a couple don’t currently have clubs at all. Squad maintenance must be a nightmare.
One to watch: Chris Killen (striker, Middlesbrough)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 2000/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Tues 15 Jun | 15:30 | Rustenburg | Slovakia |
| Sun 20 Jun | 18:00 | Nelspruit |  Italy |
| Thu 24 | 18:00 | Polokwane | Paraguay |
Paraguay
FIFA ranking: 31
Head coach: Gerardo Martino (since February 2007)
Big issue: Paraguay is a team in transition, with the players who did so well around the turn of the century now starting to hit retirement age.
One to watch: Victor Caceres (midfield, Libertad)
We predict: Second round
Chances: 100/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Mon 14 Jun | 22:30 | Cape Town | Italy |
| Sun 20 Jun | 15:30 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | Slovakia |
| Thu 24 Jun | 18:00 | Polokwane | New Zealand |
Slovakia
FIFA ranking: 34
Head coach: Vladimir Weiss (since 2008)
Big issue: Czechoslovak World Cup teams always did well, but since the 1993 breakup it has been the Czech Republic that has enjoyed more success. This squad is young, maybe too young for 2010.
One to watch: Vladimir Weiss (forward, Manchester City)
We predict: Group stage exit
Chances: 300/1
Match schedule (group stage)
| Date | Time | City | Versus |
| Tue 15 Jun | 15:30 | Rustenburg | New Zealand |
| Sun 20 Jun | 15:30 | Manguang / Bloemfontein | Paraguay |
| Thu 24 Jun | 18:00 | Johannesburg | Italy |
