England will be looking to put a disappointing opening showing behind them when they face Algeria on Friday.
Three Lions out to raise their game, while Desert Foxes face elimination
England will be looking to put a disappointing opening showing behind them when they face Algeria on Friday.
A 1-1 draw with the United States provided more questions than answers for the Three Lions and they know there is still much work to be done if they are to live up to pre-tournament billing.
Victory over Algeria would go some way to appeasing a demanding public, and give them one foot in the knockout stages, but England have made a habit of doing things the hard way down the years.
If their showing against the USA is anything to go by, the 2010 World Cup could be heading in the same direction, as they allowed two priceless points to slip through their grasp.
Robert Green will have relived the horror of allowing Clint Dempsey's tame shot to trickle over the line a hundred times, while a number of others on show in Rustenburg are likely to have taken a long hard look at themselves and the performance they put in.
A stuttering start, rather than a flying one, suggests changes could be on the cards when England arrive in Cape Town, but Fabio Capello has steadfastly refused to give any indication as to his selection thoughts.
Algeria could also decide to freshen things up for their second outing, with a lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Slovenia in their opener doing little to inspire confidence.
The Africans endured a goalkeeping nightmare of their own in that contest and they too may decide to plump for a different last line of defence this time out.
They certainly need to raise their game considerably if they are to trouble England, while defeat would bring an abrupt end to their World Cup campaign and see them on the first plane home.
Adventure
As mentioned, England face something of a selection dilemma heading into the game, with niggling knocks and a lack of adventure against America giving Capello food for thought.
The Italian is expected to back Green by giving him another opportunity to prove his worth between the sticks, but strong cases can be made for the involvement of either David James or Joe Hart.
In the back four, Ledley King will definitely be missing, having picked up a groin problem, meaning Jamie Carragher, Michael Dawson and Matthew Upson will battle it out for the right to partner John Terry.
Having seen James Milner and Shaun Wright-Phillips offer little down the left last time out, both could be forced to settle for a place on the bench.
With Gareth Barry back to full fitness and set to resume his holding role duties in midfield, Steven Gerrard is likely to be pushed out to the flanks.
Meanwhile, up front, Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney proved to be a handful last Saturday and should be paired alongside each other once again.
Influence
With Algeria hardly blessed with world-class options in the keeping department, they are tipped to keep faith with Faouzi Chaouchi - despite his glaring error against Slovenia and a knee problem picked up in training.
The main issue for coach Rabah Saadane to address is how to bring the best out of his attacking talents, allowing them to test an England defence lacking in pace and movement.
Much will be expected of Wolfsburg ace Karim Ziani, as playmaker in chief, but he needs support from those around him if he is to influence proceedings.
One of those who will definitely not be offering a helping hand is Abdelkader Ghezzal, following his reckless sending off against Slovenia.
He lasted just 15 minutes of that contest upon entering the game as a second half substitute, with two needless bookings meaning he must serve a suspension.
