Uruguay's success in making it to the Semi-Finals of the last World Cup along with their victory in the last Copa America back in 2011 have led many to pick them as one of the top teams to watch this summer. However, neither of those successes were plain sailing, with the World Cup team benefiting from the self destructiveness of France (Uruguay were actually the only ones not to beat the French in the tournament) and then requiring a typical piece of Luis Suarez "gamesmanship" to make it through the Quarter-Final. Meanwhile it was the lottery of a penalty shoot-out that saw them defeat favourites Argentina on the way to the Copa America, having failed to beat either Chile or Peru on the way to coming second in their group. Despite the formidable forward pairing of Suarez and Edinson Cavani (not to mention the evergreen Diego Forlan), then, Uruguay are undoubtedly fallible despite their status as the seeds in Group D. Indeed, it was only a final surge that saw them beating the likes of Argentina and Colombia, while rivals Venezuela slipped up, that allowed Uruguay even to make it to the qualification playoff. The threat provided by Suarez and Cavani cannot be overstated and, settled first choices though they now are, England's central defenders Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are unlikely to be a match for them. That is why England have to win the battle further up the pitch, denying service to Uruguay's forward line. Here, England would do well to follow the example of over-performing Southampton, who have three players in the England squad and one (winger Gaston Ramirez) in the Uruguay squad. Saints have combated teams with better strikers by using a high pressing, possession focused style of play. Once again, therefore, Lallana would be a worthy starter, having adjusted to this style of play week in, week out. Assuming Henderson is in need of a rest having been at the heart of the engine room in the first game, Gerrard could sit deep behind Wilshere and Ross Barkley with Lallana further forward as he plays for Southampton. An alternative would be to give Sterling a start. The advantage of a player with the pace of Sterling or Barkley's ability to burst forward from the middle of the park is that it would allow England to expose the lack of pace that Uruguay have at the back. Uruguay's captain and key defensive presence is Diego Lugano, recently released by West Brom after playing just 9 times this season. Still good in the air, Lugano looks far too slow to deal with players running at him with any pace or quick passing and for all that Uruguay managed 25 goals in qualifying, they also conceded 25. Uruguay tend to play a counter attacking game, hoping to soak up pressure and for their strikers to catch the opposition on the break. It's a potentially risky strategy for England to take the game to them as it opens England up to counter attacks, but constant pressure on the Uruguay defence is the only way to prevent that. Just look at Colombia's 4-0 win over Uruguay in qualifying. Colombia manager Jose Pekerman set out to take control of the game and Colombia scored their first in just two minutes and never looked back. Cavani never got a look in because Colombia were always in control.
