[PREDICTIONS] Spain, perfect in the group stage at the last two World Cups, will open its 2010 campaign against Switzerland. For a look at Wednesday’s threegames and Soccer America’s predictions …
HONDURAS (0-0-0) vs. CHILE (0-0-0)
June 16 in Nelspruit
Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET. Television:ESPN/Univision.
Referee: Eddy Maillet (Seychelles).
PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Tie 1-1
Ridge Mahoney: Chile 2-1
Mike Woitalla: Chile 1-0
THE LOWDOWN: Chile has not won in its last 13 World Cup matches — the longest active winless streak and thirdlongest in history — since it beat Yugoslavia to take third place at home in 1962. That didn’t La Roja from reaching the second round in 1998 with three ties.
SPAIN (0-0-0) vs. SWITZERLAND (0-0-0)
June 16 in Durban
Referee: Howard Webb (England).
Previous World Cup Meetings: 1994 — Spain 3-0, 1966 — Spain 2-1.
PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Spain 2-0
Ridge Mahoney: Spain 2-0
Mike Woitalla: Spain 4-0
THE LOWDOWN: Spain begins play at the 2010 World Cup as one of the favorites towin the tournament. It has won every game it has played in the group stage in the last two World Cups, but it was upset by France in the second round in 2006 and co-host South Korea in thequarterfinals four years before that. Star Fernando Torres has recovered from a knee injury, but Andres Iniesta (thighinjury) is a question mark.
SOUTH AFRICA (1 pt., 1-1) vs. URUGUAY (1 pt., 1-1)
June 16 in Pretoria
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET.
PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: South Africa 1-0
Ridge Mahoney: Uruguay 1-0
Mike Woitalla: Tie 1-1
THE LOWDOWN: South Africa’s 1-1 tie with Mexico in its open game extended its unbeaten streak to 13 games since Carlos AlbertoParreira took over as national team team last year.