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Saudi Arabia v Spain

Group H

On Friday at 11am

With Spain already in Round Two and with top spot all but confirmed Luis Aragones is expected to field a virtual second team.

Santiago Canizares will replace Iker Casillas in goal with second-string midfielders Fabregas and Reyes and striker Raul all coming in — not a bad bench.

The Saudis need to win this by a minimum of three goals and hope Tunisia get a result against Ukraine if they are to go through.

Even the return of veteran Sami Al Jaber to the forward line won't engineer such an unlikely turnaround in fortunes.

Ukraine v Tunisia

Group H

On Friday at 11am

Both teams stepped it up a gear after disappointing in their opener.

Ukraine, in particular, looked like a different team after their surprise thrashing at the hands of Spain.

They need a point to qualify and will have Vladyslav Vashchyuk available again at the back after his sending off against Spain and subsequent suspension for the clash with Saudi.

But the most significant piece of team news surrounds the possible return for Tunisia of Brazilian born striker Francileudo Santos.

Santos is the Africans best, some say only, chance of causing an upset and if he is fit, Ukraine may have a little more to think about.

France v Togo

Group F

On Friday at 4pm

Five games, one goal and no wins after being crowned World Champions on home turf in '98, France are facing the possible humiliation of successive first round exits.

They don't just need to beat Togo they need to beat them by two clear goals to be sure of going through — something the Swiss and the Koreans will tell you is no mean feat.

Raymond Domenech remains eerily confident his side will make it through, but his players have done little to justify his talk.

With Zidane suspended they'll rely on the inexperienced Ribery to lay on the chances for Thierry Henry who will probably be partnered in attack by David Trezuguet.

Togo, who only have pride to play for, welcome Jean-Paul Abalo back from suspension.

Switzerland v South Korea

Group F

On Friday at 4pm

A draw will be enough for the Swiss and could even be enough for the South Koreans if the other result goes their way.

Dick Advocaat won't want to rely on Togo getting anything from France though and his side will no doubt be on the offensive from the off.

The Swiss showed in the victory over Togo that they are a talented young side and will not lie down. Victory here would mean they avoid Spain in round two. Midfielder Daniel Gygaz is the only injury concern for the Swiss

Round Two

Germany v Sweden

On Saturday at midday

In the space of three games Germany have transformed their international image and their coach Jurgen Klinsmann has gone from being one of the most derided men in his homeland to a national hero.

Klinsmann, who lives in California, has brought the easy going surf mentality to his team with Germany attacking in waves.

Only Argentina and Spain rival them for goalscoring potential and they are three wins from three in the group.

A skeptical nation who dismissed their team's chances before the tournament now believed they will win it.

Klinsmann has urged his team to keep their feet on the ground.

Sweden are hardly the most formidable opponent they could have drawn.

They looked dangerous from set-pieces against England but contrived to draw with Trinidad and have struggled for inspiration up-front.

The news that Ibrahimovic is likely to return will help their cause but we'll take the hosts to come through this clash.

Mexico v Argentina

On Saturday at 4pm

Mexico's reward for their poor performances in the groups is a second round tie with Argentina and almost certain elimination.

A side of Mexico's stature should not have had to rely on the result of Iran against Angola going their way to qualify.

No wonder coach Ricardo La Volpe is concerned about their shooting.

He should also be worried about their defending with experienced Barcelona defender Rafa Marquez resorting to using his hands against the Portuguese.

Argentina's main danger is that they may have peaked too early. They could also have lost some of their momentum after making changes against the Dutch.

They still look the class outfit of the competition though and should walk into the last eight.

England v Ecuador

On Sunday at midday

With just three strikers left Sven Goran Eriksson's squad is looking as thin as his hairline.

Wayne Rooney and Peter Crouch will probably start this encounter with midfielder Steven Gerrard the other option upfront.

Either way their fragile front-line is certain to be put to the test by an Ecuador side that has made no secret of how it intends to play.

"The fact that Rooney is not totally fit gives us a boost. Perhaps I can give his foot a kick to test it out," said Ulises De La Cruz yesterday.

After fielding a weakened side against Germany they will be back to full strength with Carlos Tenorio and Edison Mendez the men to watch.

There's been some clashes within the England camp with Gerrard and Beckham apparently falling out in training over the skippers penchant for long-balls. With any luck it's an argument that Gerrard won.

The direct approach may have yielded results early in the tournament but at this stage it won't be enough.

England should still sneak through though, and count themselves lucky they did not catch the Germans in the last 16.

Portugal v Holland

On Sunday at 4pm

Portugal have about the least convincing 100 per cent record imaginable.

They scraped past Angola, stepped it up a gear against Iran and then laboured past 10-man Mexico with a virtual second team. But three wins is three wins and coach Luis Scolari has clearly found a formula that works.

They have yet to be tested by a truly world-class opponent though and will have their work cut out against Holland.

But Scolari is unlikely to be intimidated. The former Brazil coach now has ten wins from ten in his World Cup career.

With everything on the line, this should be the tie of the round, with the enterprising side show of the battle of the world's best wingers — Ronaldo against Robben.

This could well go to extra-time and even penalties and we'll take Portugal to squeeze through and please our friends at the Vasco Club by setting up a humdinger of a quarter-final with England.

Italy v Australia

Monday at midday

Victory for Italy against Czech Republic didn't just mean safe passage to round two it meant avoiding Brazil in the first knockout stage.

Instead they play a team ranked 42 places below the South Americans in the world.

But they had better not underestimate Australia.

They have shown already that desire, teamwork and good coaching can take you a long way.

But it would be wrong to dismiss their success as a triumph of a work ethic over ability.

Mark Viduka has shown in this tournament what a great striker he is and the midfield has oozed class at times. Italy are in for a tough encounter.

But the Azurri came through a very difficult group, comfortably in the end, and Marcello Lippi's side are looking a tight unit.

The former Juve boss has some selection posers though after Filippo Inzaghi came off the bench to show his goal shy first-choice strikers how to put the ball in the back of the net.

Whatever combination he chooses we expect it to be enough to end Australia's excellent run in normal time.

France/Korea/Switzerland v Ukraine/Tunisia

Monday at 5pm

The final group games take place today to determine who will play in this game.

Anyone could win Group G and this fixture remains the likeliest opportunity for a 'dark horse' to make the last eight.

Ukraine should seal second spot in Group H later today and will fancy their chances against whichever opponent they pull out.

That said the Swiss have looked an exciting young side and the Koreans are no strangers to this stage of the competition.

France are more likely to finish second in the group and face Spain.

Brazil v Ghana

On Tuesday at midday

The Brazil of Africa take on the real thing in what should be a feast of sumptuous football.

The Ghanaians weren't expected to get this far after being drawn in the group of death.

But they've shown tremendous quality and are currently playing some of the most sparkling football in the tournament.

We're not afraid of anyone. We're representing the whole of Africa...We are Africa's Brazil," Ghana's captain Stephen Appiah told the BBC.

The influential Sully Muntari returns for this game but more crucially Michael Essien is suspended.

The odds were against Ghana anyway but it is hard to see how they can live with Brazil, without the Chelsea man — one of the players of the tournament so far.

Ronaldo created World Cup hstory with his two goals yesterday and will belooking to expand his record.

Brazil haven't fired yet but, like Portugal, are sitting on a 100 per cent record.

The second round is where they turn on the style and they would prefer to play a passing team like Ghana than a defence-minded tactical opponent like Italy.

But the Africans were not World Champions at under-20 and under-17 level for nothing.

We'll take Brazil to make the last eight, but it might be closer than their Bermuda based fans would hope.

Spain v France/Switzerland/Korea

On Tuesday at 5pm

The Spaniards came into this tournament with everyone (ZFB football anchorman Nick Jones aside) dismissing them as chokers.

They had a hugely talented squad, we all said, but lacked the temperament for the big stage.

So far, at least, we are eating our words.

They've been the best team in the tournament (Apologies to all the fans of Brazil), albeit in an easy group, and have goalscorers all over the park.

None of the three possible opponents from Group G have shown anything like the kind of form they will need to stop them.[[In-content Ad]]

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