South Americans will count on counterattack

England v Paraguay: All England expects a winning start, but Sven-Goran Eriksson's side would do well not to underestimate the South Americans.

World Cup qualifiers for the third consecutive time (seventh in all), Paraguay bring survivors from both the France '98 and 2002 finals to Germany (although not charismatic goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert, now replaced by the more conventional Justo Villar of Newell's Old Boys).

Experience, a battling midfield and a dourly defensive tradition are probably Paraguay's best weapons. Rather than make the usual cautious pre-match noises, coach Aribal Ruiz has been making surprisingly war-like statements in recent days, threatening to give the English a "lesson".

In reality, Ruiz's side are likely to do more taking than giving, trying to contain England and then hoping to nick something on their rare upfield flurries via Bayern Munich striker Roque Santa Cruz. Ruiz may well opt for a cautious, 4-5-1 formation in which an extra midfielder is drafted in to stifle the English midfield engine of Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

The foundation stone in Ruiz's gameplan is the need not to concede an early goal. The longer Paraguay frustrate England, the better for them as they might just be able to take advantage of any English sense of frustration or lack of concentration.

Equally important will be the performances of Deportivo La Coruna's Roberto Acuna and Reggina's Carlos Paredes in central midfield. Argentina-born Acuna, in his third World Cup, provides shape and balance, while Paredes is a fearsome, no-nonsense defensive midfielder who can also score goals in set-pieces.

Injury worries about Santa Cruz have not helped the Paraguayans but Nelson Cuevas of Mexican club Pachuca, who scored twice against Slovenia at the last World Cup, could prove a useful substitute.

On the downside, Paraguay look short of height in defence, no small problem when playing against the Liverpool skyscraper Peter Crouch. Furthermore, David Beckham might have a happy afternoon attacking the weak-looking Paraguay left flank.