Preview: Day 6

Group H

Spain   v   Switzerland,   Moses Mabhida Stadium, Durban, 3pm

World Cup favourites Spain finally open their World Cup account this afternoon against European also-rans Switzerland in Durban.

While many of the tournaments big name teams, such as England, Brazil, France and Portugal, have thus far disappointed, European champions Spain have the opportunity to end the first series of group games on a high before the second series begins tonight.

Switzerland, on the other hand, come into this game as underdogs and following low key yet solid preparations that included a 1-1 draw with world champions Italy. The Swiss will be looking to stifle the quick passing of their superior opponents and potentially hit them on the break.

Both sides have been effected by injuries. Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas sit out this game but are on the bench. Therir continued fitness worries are not risked in this opening game. Sergio Busquets has been preferred to Fabregas in midfield.

Over all, the Spanish line up is not as attacking as one would have expected, as Sergio is joined by Xabi Alonso in midfield. Even without Torres however, the Iberians should have enough to win the game.

The neutral state have been deprived of Alexander Frei, their captain and top scorer. West Ham's Valon Behrami is also out of action for the Swiss. Both will begin on the bench but arrival on the turf is unlikely.   

Four years ago in Germany, Spain opened with a 4-0 win over Ukraine, as Switzerland drew 0-0 with France. It has since been thought that Spain started too quickly and folded too early in the second round. The clock makers will be hoping for a repeat of their performance against France, but with the form that the Spaniards are in, only one result seems likely.

Line-ups

Spain (4-5-1): Casillas, Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Capdevila, Busquets, Alonso, Iniesta, Xavi, Silva, Villa.

Switzerland (4-4-2): Beaglio, Lichsteiner, Senderos, Grichting, Zeigler,  Huggel, Barnetta, Inler, Fernandez, Nkufo, Derdiyok.


Group A

South Africa   v   Uruguay,   Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 7:30pm

The second series of first round games kicks off in Pretoria where the Bafana Bafana will take on the Uruguayans.

With all 32 teams having played at this stage, it is the time to end the nervousness and fear that many teams showed in the opening exchanges. It's time for teams to come out and win games now because places in the second round are on the line. Three draws wont be enough to secure progression so teams are going to have to play for a win, and South Africa and La Celeste are two of those teams.

Group A is one of the tightest to call as any two of the four can qualify. All will feel they have as good a chance as the others. With France to come, this is certainly a must win for the home side. 

As for Uruguay, they are in the same boat. A last day victory over Mexico is not guaranteed so this may be their best chance of a win. 

If the opening games are any judge, then the South Americans will be solid at the back and extremely difficult to penetrate. South Africa created a few openings against Mexico but the physicality of Uruguay will be far tougher to overcome.

Uruguay will also have the best player on the pitch in Diego Forlan, who was clearly a class apart in their first game with France. He may get his goal today against a shaky Bafana Bafana defence. 

South Africa's spirit cant be doubted however and the whole country will be behind them once more in Pretoria, at an altitude that Uruguay are yet to experience. 

Another draw may not be a terrible result for both teams, but ideally both of them will feel a win will give them a serious advantage going into the third series of matches.  

Porbable Line- ups,

South Africa (4-5-1): Khune, Gaxa, Khumano, Makoena, Masilela, Modise, Lethsolonyane, Dikgacoi, Tshabalala, Pienaar, Mphela.

Uruguay (4-4-2): Muslera, Victorino, Godin, Lugano, M Pereira, Arevalo, Gonzalez, A Pereira, Perez, Suarez, Forlan.