Spain faces must-win situation

[PREDICTIONS] Spain finds itself in a must-win situation for its game Monday against Honduras. Meanwhile, Switzerland, which upset the Spaniards in theiropening game, must deal with raised expectations. For a look at Monday’s three games and Soccer America’s predictions …

PORTUGAL (1 pt., 0-0) vs. NORTHKOREA (0 pt., 1-2)
June 21 in Cape Town
Kickoff: 7:30 a.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision.
Referee:Pablo Pozo (Chile)
Past World Cup Meetings: 1966 — Portugal 5-3.

PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Portugal 3-0
Ridge Mahoney: Tie 0-0
Mike Woitalla: Portugal2-0

THE LOWDOWN: Almost as famous as North Korea’s 1-0 win over Italy at the 1966 World Cup is its quarterfinal game against Portugal. The RedMosquitoes led 3-0 before falling 5-3 to Portugal, which got a then-record four goals from the great Eusebio. Portugal will be without playmaker Deco (hip injury) on Monday.

CHILE (3 pts., 1-0) vs. SWITZERLAND (3 pts.,1-0)
June 21 in Port Elizabeth
Kickoff: 10 a.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision.
Referee:Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia).
Past World Cup Meetings: 1962 — Chile 3-1.

PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Tie 1-1
Ridge Mahoney: Chile 2-0
Mike Woitalla: Chile 2-1

THE LOWDOWN: Switzerland’s first win over Spain in18 games has raised expectations. Instead of simply wanting to advance to the knockout stage, the Swiss are looking to advance as group champions. “Before every match, I want to win,” Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. “Against Spain, you can dream of a win and the dream becomes a reality. Against Chile, we have different expectations. Now we have thepossibility of taking first place, and we want to take the opportunity with both hands.”

SPAIN (0 pt., 0-1) vs. HONDURAS(0 pt. 0-1)
June 21 in Johannesburg
Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. ET. Television: ESPN/Univision.
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan).
Past World Cup Meetings: 1982 — Tie 1-1.

PREDICTIONS:
Paul Kennedy: Spain 2-0
Ridge Mahoney: Spain 3-1
Mike Woitalla: Spain3-0

THE LOWDOWN: Spain not only lost to Switzerland, 1-0, but influential midfielder Andres Iniesta went offlate in the game with a knock on his right thigh. Iniesta, who has been ailing for months, could miss Monday’s must-win game against Honduras. Coach Vicente Del Bosquesays his team is otherwise healthy.