World Cup Preview - Group C - The Also Rans

For the sake of time, I thought I'd crunch the last two sides in Group C into one thread.

Algeria:

Nickname: "Les Fennecs (The Desert Foxes)"

Coach: Rabah Saadane

Game Schedule:
June 13 – Algeria v. Slovenia (Polokwane, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 18 – Algeria v. England (Cape Town, 2:30 p.m., ESPN2)
June 22 – Algeria v. USA (Pretoria, 10 a.m., ESPN)

Prospects: The weakest entry in a weak Group C, Algeria are very hard to predict. They can either be the inspirational side who pipped African Nations winner Egypt in last fall's World Cup playoff or the side who lost 3-0 to lowly Malawi in this year's ANC. They've got a solid core of veteran midfielders led by skipper Yazid Mansouri but little punch up front (only 17 goals in 12 qualifiers).

Key Player: Glasgow Rangers named Madjid Bougherra its player of the season in 2009. A skillful defender who will need to be at his best.

Youngster to watch: 25 year-old Borussia Munchengladbach winger Karim Matmour.

Who Will Get the Goals: VFL Bochum striker Antar Yahia scored the decisive goal against Egypt.

Who Will Get the Cards: Veteran defender Nadir Belhadj

Prediction: The Desert Foxes could easily end up mirroring Rommel's fate on the African front - three and out.

Slovenia:

FIFA ranking: 23rd

Coach: Matjaž Kek

Game Schedule:
June 13 – Slovenia v. Algeria (Polokwane, 7:30 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 18 – Slovenia v. USA (Jo'burg, 10 a.m., ESPN)
June 22 – Slovenia v. England (Port Elizabeth, 10 a.m., ESPN2)

Prospects: Slovenia stunned world football by knocking out Guus Hiddink's heavily-favored Russian side in the fall playoffs, but few expect them to repeat the heroics this summer. Their strength is in frustrating sides (they only gave up 6 goals in qualifiers) but their pedestrian pace prevents them from launching quick counters.

Key Player: 25 year old Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic, who should be an Arsenal target, is the star of the side - that tells everything you need to know about them.

Youngster to watch: 21 year striker Tim Matavž who plays in Holland could be a spark.

Who Will Get the Goals: Cologne striker Milivoje Novakovic was the top scorer in qualifiers

Who Will Get the Cards: Former WBA striker Robert Koren is a bit of a wild card.

Prediction: Might pick up a point or two from the US and Algeria, but they'll be heading back to