Africans are able to play without fear as 'we have nothing to lose'

Algeria have issued a collective call to arms ahead of tonight's World Cup encounter with England, insisting the result is not as certain as Wayne Rooney seems to think.

Rooney has expressed total confidence that England will win their second Group C match tonight, a result that would take them within touching distance of a place in the last 16.

Having lost their first match to Slovenia last Sunday, Algeria are also in dire need of a result.

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But they view Rooney's bullish stance as a sign that England are, paradoxically, not quite so sure of themselves. And they insist the Three Lions can be beaten at the Green Point stadium.

"England are the team under pressure," said striker Ryad Boudebouz. "They are the ones who claimed that they came to win the World Cup."

It was a sentiment echoed by coach Rabah Saadane, who sees signs of a team under pressure.

"England have their backs to the wall," said Saadane.

"We have nothing to lose and everything to win."

And Portsmouth's Nadir Belhadj feels he knows exactly how Algeria will do it.

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Coach Fabio Capello is expected to stick with Jamie Carragher as John Terry's defensive partner, even though the Liverpool veteran struggled to cope with the United States' pacy front-men during Saturday's 1-1 draw.

With Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King both ruled out through injury, England's rearguard does seem to be lacking in speed.

Belhadj believes Algeria can exploit the 'Achilles heel'.

"The defence is one of England's weak points, it's easy to create chances against them," the Portsmouth defender told Algerian sports weekly Le Buteur.