Group D: Group of Death Jr.

These Headers are harder to make than the Post itself. I'll work on it, but for now just enjoy my brilliant writing ability.

Group D: Uruguay, Costa Rica, Italy, England

HOW THEY FINISH:
Italy 2-0-1 7 PTS
England 1-0-2 5 PTS
Uruguay 0-1-2 2 PTS
Costa Rica 0-2-1 1 PT

Luis Suarez is unlikely to be able to play tomorrow, which really hurts Uruguay's chances to advance. While they may not need him against Costa Rica, the Ticos are not as bad as people think. Let's not forget it to a snow storm for the US to edge out a 1-0 victory at home over the 2nd place finishers in CONCACAF. The loss of Suarez in that particular game in which Uruguay MUST take 3 points, really benefits Italy and England. Italy is a team deep enough and experienced enough that might be able to win this tournament (they are one of maybe 4 teams that I actually think can win it). This team is built an awful lot like the 2006 Champions, but with better strikers. England are England.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Wayne Rooney (ENG) - From the obvious names department, it's Wayne Rooney.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (ENG) - Everyone quick to point to the youngster Luke Shaw (just 18), but if a young player is going to make a difference for the Three Lions this go around, it will be Chamberlain (20). The midfielder loves to shoot from distance and is a strong dribbler, with size that makes him very hard to dispossess.

Daniel Sturridge (ENG) - Sturridge makes his World Cup debut, coming off a phenomenal club season which saw him score 21 goal. The 24 year old is inexperienced on the International Level, but dont think that will stop him.

Luis Suarez (URU) - Sturridge's 21 goals were second only to his club teammate at Liverpool, Luis Suarez. Even if Suarez can't get on the pitch he'll be exciting to watch, because he might bite somebody.

Edinson Cavani (URU) - If Sturridhe is out, a lot will rest on the shoulders of Cavani. Diego Forlan can't carry the team like he did in 2010, and will likely be relegated to substitute duties.

Keylor Navas (CRC) - Costa Rica finished CONCACAF qualifying with the best defense allowing only 7 goals in the 10 games Hexagonal. Goalkeeper, Keylor Navas deserves a lot of credit, in a group full of World Class Keepers (Joe Hart, Gianluigi Buffon) he fits right in.

Andrea Pirlo (ITA) - Il architetto (the architect), there may not be a better distributor of the ball at the tournament. Pirlo has aged with grace, now 35, but still a maestro in the center midfield.

Mario Balotelli (ITA) - Though there will be no clever undershirts in Brazil, the oft in the news Balotelli is surprisingly graceful for a guy who is 6'2. The striker puts speed, agility, strength and exquisite technical ability into a complete package, however the mental pillar may not always be there.

Lorenzo Isigne (ITA) - If Insigne and Balotelli are paired up top together it will look like a scene out of My Giant, Insigne is 5'4 (and you thought Messi was short) but extremely creative and fast.

GAME OF THE GROUP:
England vs Uruguay: The second game of group play for both teams, could likely be a return for Suarez against a team full of players he's seen every week for the past few seasons. If both teams draw in their openers (which I predict), Uruguay will be forced to go after it, facing an Italian squad that plays very tough defense. Should be an open match with plenty of star power and attacking.