Predictions: Day 11
This could get interesting, at least in a competitive sense if not in terms of goals, after Portugal opened with a cagey 0-0 against Ivory Coast and North Korea gave Brazil a run. Midfielder Deco has gone from questioning coach Carlos Queiroz, to issuing a mea culpa, to injured and out of the lineup. Koreans are 9-to-1 underdogs to win this. Tough call, but they won't quit and Portugal camp doesn't sound quite right.
Prediction: Portugal 1, North Korea 1
Chile (1-0-0) vs Switzerland (1-0-0), 4 p.m. ET
Swiss' shocking upset of Spain has turned this group upside down. Now they face a similarly slick, attacking Chile side without lumbering central defender Phillipe Senderos. At least Alexandre Frei is back in training and available. Look for Swiss to absorb pressure and try and hit back on the counter. Hey, it worked well the first time around. Twice?
Prediction: Chile 1, Switzerland 0
Spain (0-0-1) vs Honduras (0-0-1), 2:30 p.m. ET
“It's not a disaster if we don't get out of the first phase,” the Spanish FA president says. Come again? The pre-tournament favourites looked jaded in their opener against Swiss, but they should be primed to snap out of it here. Fernando Torres should start, and we may even see Cesc Fabregas, while influential Andres Iniesta is sidelined. Honduras will defend, but they look up against it here.
Prediction: Spain 2, Honduras 0
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