World champs Italy looking to dominate Group F

PRETORIA - World Cup holders Italy will be expecting nothing less than plain sailing in a Group F which they are the clear favorites to win.

A grouping with New Zealand, Paraguay and Slovakia makes comfortable viewing for a team that has been anything but brilliant since winning football's biggest prize for a fourth time four years ago in Germany.

Slovakia will be making their first ever appearance and the Kiwis only their second, their first being back in 1982 when they meekly exited after losing all three matches.