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Group B – 17:00

With the final matches of the group stages upon us this is normally when we’d be gearing up for the sort of shocks and surprises football is loved for providing, but as things stand we’ve already had arguably the biggest shock confirmed with a match to spare. Spain going out with barely a whimper means this match between Chile and the Dutch is nothing more than a play-off for top spot and an annoying situation for the managers, who must balance the potential draw they may get in round two with the need to rest the fatigued, and you’d certainly imagine Louis Van Gaal is secretly glad Robin van Persie serves a one-match ban so he doesn’t have to decide on dropping him, although Bruno Martins Indi may also be forced to miss out with concussion. Chile head coach Jorge Sampaoli could rest Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz, both with discipline and fitness in mind as the pair are struggling a touch.

The other match in the group is practically worthless, with the biggest incentive being for Australia to get a win over Spain while they are still technically champions of the world, and there is a danger that could lead to more of the brutal enthusiasm that led to some nasty injuries for the Dutch last time out. Fortunately for the ankles and brains of the Spanish side, Tim Cahill is suspended, with Adam Taggart, Ben Halloran and Oliver Bozanic all pushing for starts. Vicente Del Bosque will probably rotate, bringing in the likes of Koke and Pepe Reina, while Gerard Pique and David De Gea are carrying knocks.

Group A – 21:00

There are three sides in with a shot at qualification in World Cup Group A, and nobody is guaranteed a place in the next stage despite Brazil still being favourites with a lot of bookies. After Mexico won the Olympic gold medals over Brazil in 2012 they’ll have a taste for upsetting the famous gold shirts, but tonight they’ll be more concerned with securing a spot in round two, and for that they have to at least pick up a draw from this match tonight, while Croatia need the victory. The return of Mario Mandzukic to the Croatian side has made a huge difference to their attack, and the Bayern striker will be a key player this evening, and Croatia are expected to stay with him leading the same side that beat Cameroon last time out. Mexico may also remain unchanged with Guillermo Ochoa taking much of the praise for his performance against Brazil.

The equation for Brazil is simple tonight, anything other than a defeat against Cameroon and they are into round two of the FIFA World Cup being so controversially held on their own soil, but playing for a draw is always risky, and even more so against a team like Cameroon. So far the Africans have pretty much done nothing at this competition, but have remarkable ability throughout the squad and may play up for the fans as much as anything else now they are certain to be going home, and that means Brazil will need to win the match to feel safe. Add to that the fact three points means the hosts will surely finish atop their group and it’s a no-brainer, but there is a chance that if Cameroon win, and Croatia draw with Mexico that Brazil will go out after just three games, and make a few bookies even richer. Brazil’s main concern is over the fitness of Hulk, while Thiago Silva, Luiz Gustavo and Neymar are all on a yellow card.