Group D – 17:00
This is the last match England will play in Brazil for some time, and while it’s probably fair to say their arrival hasn’t had the same impact that the arrival of Englishmen did on Brazil all those years ago when they took the game across I’m sure Roy Hodgson’s men will want to give a good account of themselves before they bow out. Beating Costa Rica is something of a double-edged sword, at least potentially for England, as it would reinforce the idea that the current group leaders are in fact not the best side and the English have under-performed, but with the manager apparently secure in his position we at least know that the players will be motivated to show their best. Costa Rica only need a point to finish top, and could rest Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz, while a much-changed England side will be captained by Frank Lampard and should feature the likes of Ross Barkley, Luke Shaw, James Milner, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Rickie Lambert.
In the other match Italy and Uruguay play off for one spot in the next round, not a situation either manager will have wanted but certainly great news for the neutrals among us wanting some properly frantic action. A draw takes Italy through, meaning they can afford to be a little more conservative in the heat, but with Uruguay sporting the deadliest front two in international football and Luis Suarez regaining fitness every day it will be incredibly risky for the Italians to sit back and try to make it through without showing ambition, as a late strike would leave them dead and buried. As a result of their poor form, Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is under pressure to make changes with Ciro Immobile a likely beneficiary and Mattia De Sciglio is ready to return, but Daniele De Rossi looks set to miss out, while Uruguay captain Diego Lugano remains an injury doubt, and Maxi Periera is unavailable through suspension.
Group C – 21:00
In just two game the Colombians have opened up a five point gap on their opponents tonight, and while Japan might not be considered as good a side as their foes they are managed by an expensive Italian and had greater expectations than this. If the Ivory Coast beat Greece in the other match then there is nothing Japan can do to change their fate, but a win in the best they can do and you can bet they’ll go for one if the players have any pride. Japan coach Alberto Zaccheroni must choose whether start either of Shinji Kagawa and Yasuhito Endo, where Colombia have the luxury of being able to rest key players just with fatigue or potential suspensions in mind, although Mario Yepes could miss out with a muscle injury, while striker Carlos Bacca has a similar problem
Greece are in a similar position to the Japanese, having played poorly enough to relinquish all control of their own destiny but still being in with an outside shot, but to beat a motivated Cote d’Ivoire will require them to play at a level we’ve not seen from them to this point. The African side need a draw to be sure of finishing above Greece, but a win to be certain of getting into the second round where the likes of England and Spain could not, and that chance will see them pumped up and ready to run for ninety minutes. Greece’s Kostas Katsouranis is banned, with Georgios Karagounis a possible replacement, while Ivory Coast are without Didier Zokora through suspension and could miss Didier Drogba and Didier Ya Konan through injury.
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