Late in the first round, with about two thirds of the matches done and dusted, Group C is still wide open.

England and Slovenia meet on Wednesday in Port Elizabeth, in a match that could turn the group rankings on their head.

For instance, England could zoom to the top of the group, if they beat Slovenia. If the match is drawn, England will finish with 3 points and await the result of the USA-Algeria game. Their best hope would be for that game to end without result, in which case they would vie with USA for second spot on the basic of goals scored. In which case, the Slovenia match would need to be a high scoring draw, as USA are two goals ahead already.

On current form, England would be lucky to get a solitary goal in. Maybe, it will be their turn to get a generous referee, and a useful penalty kick. If they do manage to win, they would be subscribing to the Pink Floyd view that 'hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way'.

One of the pre-tournament favourites, based on their qualification match performances, England have not exactly set the stands on fire with their pyrotechnic displays, at the World Cup.

One reason could be that they don't have the best eleven on the field. Capello has a soft corner for Heskey, at the expense of Joe Cole. Shawn Wright-Phillips who doesn't find a place in the Manchester City starting eleven finds favour with Capello. Gerrard, always a key player, especially as skipper, is out of sorts on the left flank. Rooney who is a prolific scorer as lone striker for Manchester United is not given the freedom he craves, having to share space with an ineffective Heskey.

Clearly Capello has rigid ideas and it is not clear whether there'll be any changes in the playing eleven.  The coach might demand a more open attacking game, at best.

In a match that USA were expected to win,  Valter Birsa scored in the 13th minute to put Slovenia ahead. At half-time, Slovenia were 2-0 up, with Zlatan Ljubijankic, the scorer on this occasion. slotted the ball into the net.  Landon Donovan and Michael Bradley scored in the second half to save their team from embarrassment; in fact, Maurice Edu scored a 3rd goal after a free kick towards the end, which was disallowed for a reason that was not clear, as Edu had not been flagged offside.

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek adopted  the same game plan as against Algeria, with Ljubijankic in replacing Zlatko Dedic. Andraz Kirm did much of the running for his team, and Brecko was very effective in the wing. Koren in midfield did a great job of distribution.  Kek might be in a more defensive mould in this last match as Slovenia only need a draw to qualify.

Steven Gerrard will carry the weight of the team on his shoulders. Rooney will be effective only if he is allowed to play on his own terms. Gerrard has the creative spark to help his team rise to the occasion.

Slovenia's Andraz Kirm is a tireless campaigner and his coach will rely on him to keep the England defence on their toes, as also to control the middle of the field. 

The only change that's likely in the England line up is Upson in for the suspended defender Carragher.

Kek is unlikely to make any change to the Slovenian team that did duty against USA, Suler and Cesar, in defence, Koren in midfield providing protection to the defenders, and Kirm the playmaker with Novakovic and Ljubijanic in the spearhead.

The result of the match will depend on the freedom Capello gives his players. Left to play their natural game, England are in a higher level than Slovenia, but they will need to be very creative to be able to eke out a victory in this must win game.

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Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.