Preview: Day 3

Group C

Algeria v Slovenia, June 13th, 12:30pm, Polokwane

With Saturday's draw between the two Group B superpowers, Algeria and Slovenia will feel a win in Polokwane will give them a realistic chance of a second round berth. 

Both teams come into the game in confident mood, but Slovenia have been able to back up that feeling in recent performances on the pitch. Last weekend's victory over New Zealand in Maribor was the Slovens only warm up fixture but spirit and desire was clearly in abundance. 

The game also marked the return from injury of striker Milivoje Novakovic, who scored two beautifully taken free kicks in a 3-1 win. 

The eastern Europeans possess a far more settled side than that of Algeria, based around commitment, organisation and inspirational leadership from coach Matjak Kek and captain Robert Koren.

Although Rabah Saadane has put on a brave face, his options appear to have dwindled. Captain Yazid Mansouri has been dropped from the starting line up due to poor form. 

On the brighter side of things Faouzi Chaouchi and Nadir Belhadj have been given amnesty by FIFA and are now eligible to play in their country's first World Cup game since 1986. The Portsmouth wide man and the Desert Foxes first choice goalkeeper were sent off in the Nations Cup semi final defeat to Egypt, but their slates have been wiped clean where once a two game ban had been implemented.  

Recent defeats to Serbia and Ireland had left the Algerians feeling doomed but last weeks victory over UAE has put a late spring in their North African step.

Probable line-ups:

Algeria (4-4-2): Chaouchi, Belhadj, Bougherra, Yahia, Halliche, Ziani, Yebda, Lacen, Mansouri, Ghezal, Saifi

Slovenia (4-4-2): Handanovic; Brecko, Cesar, Suler, Jokic; Kirm, Radosavljevic, Koren, Birsa; Dedic, Novakovic

Group D

Ghana v Serbia, June 13th, 3pm, Pretoria

The “group if death” kicks off on Sunday afternoon, providing what should be two pivotal matches in the context of the group’s final outcome.

First up, European dark horses Serbia, playing in their first World Cup as an independent nation, take on Ghana, who are competing in their second consecutive tournament.

Serbia are heavily fancied to cause an upset in the coming weeks but to do so this is a match that they must win. Having qualified impressively, a lot is expected of Radomir Antic’s White Angels this summer. The same applied four years ago in Germany, but three defeats quickly followed. A positive start is a necessity for what is now a far more experienced and well rounded outfit.

Serbia’s preparation has seen some inconsistent results, ranging from a 4-3 win over Cameroon to a one goal defeat to New Zealand, but come 3pm on Sunday Dejan Stankovic and his team should have eradicated any complacency.

The absence of Michael Essien from the Ghanaian line up will be all the motivation the Balkan state needs. The Chelsea midfield dynamo is the heart and soul of the Black Stars, but they still performed admirably without him in January’s Nations Cup. The West African side reached the final only to narrowly lose to Egypt.

The mantle of responsibility has been taken over by Inter Milan’s Sulley Muntari and Rennes striker Asamoah Gyan. The experience of veterans Stephen Appiah and John Mensah will also be pivotal to any ambitions the Black Star harbour.

The incorporation of some members of Ghana’s under-20 World Cup winning team from last Autumn will offer youthful exuberance, pace and options from the bench. Otherwise expect a solid outfit, with a lot of dynamism in midfield in particular.

Serbia, however, have strength in depth and a host of European renowned players to call upon. With Nemanja Vidic a rock at the back, Stankovic breaking up play in the midfield and the creative vision of Milos Krasic out wide, Nicola Zigic and Marko Pantelic should receive enough opportunities to win the game.

Injury doubts for the game include Manchester United’s Vidic and Muntari for Ghana, who have been suffering with a virus and thigh strain respectively for the past few days. Come kick off time however, expect the Serb and the Inter man to be primed.

Probable line-ups

Serbia (4-4-2): Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Lukovic, Kolarov, Stankovic, Milijas, Krasic, Jovanovic, Pantelic, Zigic.

Ghana (4-2-3-1): Kingson, Sarpie, Mensah, Vorsah, Pantsil, Annan, Boateng, Muntari, Appiah, Ayew, Gyan.

Australia v Germany, June 13th 7:30pm, Durban

The second Group D game of the day pits three time winners Germany against Australia’s Soceroos in Durban.

Germany’s preparations for the tournament have been rocked by the injuries sustained by captain Michael Ballack, Rene Adler, Simon Rolfes and Heikko Westermann, but luckily for coach Jogi Low, there are talented replacements to call upon.

Australia, on the other hand, will line out with much the same team from their successful venture in Germany four years ago. High concentration, pressing of the ball and accurate interplay have all become features of Australia’s play in the intervening period.

Team captain Lucas Neill said, speaking on the eve of the game, that "Germany are rightly favourites. They're a superior team to us, they play in better leagues, they've been to the World Cup so many times before and they've earned that right.

We know we're the underdogs. And we know we'll have to be at our very, very best to get near a German side on the night.”

This German team has been written off by many pundits because they lack star names and experience is at a minimum, but Die Mannschaft have youthful talent in abundance, particularly in midfield.

The high intensity and speed with which Jurgen Klinsmann’s team played with in 2006 could be on show again tomorrow as the like of Mezut Ozil, Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos and Marko Marin may get a chance to show what they can do.

Surrounding their mercurial talents sit the reborn Bastian Schweinsteiger and new captain Philip Lahm, as well as internationally proven goal scorers Lucas Podolski and Miroslav Klose. If the old and the new can click, as they did in preparation, then Australia may be in trouble.

The Soceroos have had a mixed build up to their third World Cup. Having beaten local rivals New Zealand and Denmark, they were convincingly beaten by USA a week ago. Tim Cahill, Mark Bresciano and Harry Kewell, who should recover from a groin problem in time, will need to lead from the front and hold firm if there are to handle the youthful, fleet footed Germans.

Probable line-ups:

Australia (4-5-1): Schwarzer, Chipperfield, Neill, Moore, Wilkshire, Culina, Grella, Cahill, Emerton, Bresciano, Kewell.

Germany (4-4-2): Neuer, Friedrich, Mertesacker, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedhira, Ozil, Trochowski, Podolski, Klose.