please log in to view this image 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife Date: Sunday 15 June Kick-off: 02:00 BST Coverage: ITV, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website, highlights on BBC TV and Connected TV TEAM NEWS Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi expects Yaya Toure to be available despite a thigh injury, but admits not all his players are "100% fit". Toure's elder brother Kolo is available after recovering from malaria. Japan captain Makoto Hasebe is fit after a long-term knee problem but faces competition from Hotaru Yamaguchi for a midfield starting spot. Defenders Maya Yoshida and Atsuto Uchida have also recently returned from lengthy absences and will play. MATCH PREVIEW Anyone committed enough to stay up for the latest kick-off of the 2014 World Cup, which gets underway at 0200 BST and 2200 local time, should be amply rewarded. The Japanese played some wonderful football at the 2013 Confederations Cup and were involved in the match of the tournament - a 4-3 defeat to Italy, which ended in the early hours. The Ivorians, meanwhile, boast some genuine superstars for whom this tournament represents a final chance to shine on the grandest stage of all. More to the point, both teams' strengths are in attack. In the last 12 months the Japanese have played 17 games, keeping clean sheets only twice (against Guatemala and Cyprus), scoring 37 goals and conceding 33. Those defensive weaknesses were again in evidence in their final warm-up game, a 4-3 win against Zambia on 6 June. It is a largely similar story for the Ivory Coast - their previous seven games have seen both sides score, and it is almost a year since their last clean sheet. Their defence was repeatedly exposed in May's 2-1 defeat to Bosnia and Hercegovina, and their tally of three clean sheets in World Cup qualifying is the joint lowest of any side who made it to Brazil. Les Elephants were mightily relieved to have avoided being drawn in a "Group of Death" as they were at the 2006 and 2010 tournaments But just as in South Africa, their build-up to this tournament has been dominated by concern over one of their star players. Four years ago Didier Drogba was hampered by a broken arm - an injury coincidentally sustained in a warm-up game against Japan. This summer, fans are fretting over the fitness of star midfielder Yaya Toure, who has been sidelined by a thigh injury since the end of the Premier League season. Head coach Sabri Lamouchi must be sorely tempted to gamble on the fitness of his best player, despite hinting he is not "100% fit". But with Japan's slick midfield interplay one of their strengths, the Ivorians can ill-afford any passengers. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Japan have won two of their three previous meetings with the Ivory Coast, which came on home turf in friendlies in 1993 and 2008. The African side won the most recent encounter, beating the Blue Samurai 2-0 in a World Cup warm-up game in Switzerland in June 2010. Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure got the goals, but Drogba broke a bone in his arm, an injury which severely hampered him in South Africa. Ivory Coast Didier Drogba played a combined total of 384 minutes at the 2006 and 2010 World Cup, and had only two shots on target - both of which he scored. Drogba is the Ivory Coast's record goalscorer with 63 goals in 101 games. They kept just three clean sheets in qualifying - no team who made to Brazil had a lower total (Ghana's tally was also three). The Ivorians have scored in all but one of their six previous World Cup matches. Their 0-0 draw with Portugal in 2010 was the only game in which they failed to net. Japan The Blue Samurai have only won four World Cup matches, half of which came against African opposition. They beat Tunisia in 2002 and Cameroon in 2010 - their only previous games against sides from Africa. The Japanese are unbeaten in their previous six matches (all friendlies), winning the last five. Keisuke Honda has been directly involved in three of Japan's last four World Cup strikes (two goals, one assist). please log in to view this image 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP Venue: Estadio Nacional, Brasilia Date: Sunday 15 June Kick-off: 17:00 BST Coverage: ITV, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website, highlights on BBC TV and Connected TV TEAM NEWS Seven members of Switzerland's expected starting XI played for a top-six club in Italy or Germany this season. Josip Drmic is likely to play as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Fabian Schaer favourite to partner Steve von Bergen in central defence. Ecuador have a fitness concern over key midfielder Christhian Noboa. Edison Mendez or teenager Carlos Gruezo are competing to replace Segundo Castillo, who was ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury. MATCH PREVIEW Any expectation of Switzerland enjoying summer sporting success is normally confined to Wimbledon rather than the World Cup, but the national football team arrived in Brazil ranked sixth in the world. That even gives tennis stars Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka a run for their money. It would be disingenuous to regard Switzerland's status as seeds as being an anomaly of the widely-maligned Fifa rankings. Ottmar Hitzfeld's current side do not conform to stereotype. Youthful, sparky and technically gifted players have been drawn from a considerable immigration pool, while a national coaching programme implemented in the 1990s has ensured the Swiss have made the most of what they have got. Hitzfeld said of his naturalised players: "They all say how much they owe Switzerland and that they are happy to return something through football. "They have benefited from a great education in school, professionally and in terms of football. Now they want to ensure that Switzerland is proud of them." He added: "We started a transition four years ago, we have rejuvenated the group of experienced players. The team are better, more attacking, more creative, with better organisation than in 2010." A first quarter-final spot since 1954 would justify Switzerland's place as one of the eight seeds, but they know they cannot afford to take first opponents Ecuador lightly. "Ecuador have a very good team, very technical, they're very good, believe me," said marauding right-back Stephan Lichtsteiner. The contest between Lichtsteiner and Ecuador's supremely talented but erratic left winger Jefferson Montero will be one of the key battle grounds, Ecuador shuttle the ball quickly to wingers Montero and Antonio Valencia, and the success or otherwise of that game plan over the next three games will largely dictate their chances of reaching the last 16 for only the second time. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head This is the first ever meeting between Switzerland and Ecuador. Switzerland Their only defeat in the last 18 internationals since May 2012 came away to South Korea in November (W12, D5, L1). Only eight members of the World Cup squad were not born outside Switzerland or to foreign parents. Switzerland have only conceded one goal in their last seven World Cup games. Ottmar Hitzfeld's side were unbeaten in World Cup qualification, winning seven and drawing three of their 10 qualifiers. Their tally of seven clean sheets in the preliminaries was only bettered in Europe by Greece (8). They have never beaten South American opposition in five attempts at the World Cup, losing the last four. Ecuador Ecuador have never drawn a game at a World Cup, winning three and losing four so far. They had an unrivalled 201 shots and 396 crosses in South American qualification. Reinaldo Rueda's side did not win any of their eight matches outside Ecuador in the qualifying campaign. Their only win in the last seven matches was against Australia in March, when they came from 3-0 down to win 4-3 at The Den in Millwall. Felipe Caicedo scored seven goals in nine games in qualification, including three penalties. please log in to view this image 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP Venue: Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre Date: Sunday 15 June Kick-off: 20:00 BST Coverage: BBC TV, Connected TV, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website TEAM NEWS Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud is expected to start as the focal point in France's three-man attack, flanked by Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena. Antoine Griezmann and Loic Remy are alternative options, while centre backs Mamadou Sakho, Laurent Koscielny and Raphael Varane are vying for two spots. The main selection dilemma for Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez concerns who will play on the right wing. Andy Najar, Oscar Boniek Garcia and Marvin Chavez are the contenders. MATCH PREVIEW France's major tournament record since reaching the 2006 World Cup final makes for miserable reading: One win, two group exits and a player revolt four years ago that has left a scar on the reputation of the national side. However, France's performances since overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit to overcome Ukraine in their World Cup play-off have promised an end to the malaise. Reaching the World Cup had at one point seemed a forlorn hope, but the playful slogan on the team's coach in Brazil reads: 'Impossible is not French'. It is a quote attributed to Napoleon, and France may need to invoke the spirit of that great military leader when they face a bruising, attritional Honduras side. The Central American side play to their strength, literally, and France coach Didier Deschamps recently said "Honduras have the aptitude of physical combat". Despite going on to say Honduras "have players of quality", Deschamps' comments enraged Sunday's opponents. Midfielder Roger Espinoza said: "As Honduras is a small team, they say that we are going to be tough and with this they are inciting the referees to focus on Honduras and give us the cards." Honduras were already unimpressed by a French TV documentary aired in February entitled 'Les miserables du Honduras', which painted a grim picture of the country's football and drew attention to crowd violence in its domestic league. Coach Luis Fernando Suarez has used the footage to motivate his side and forward Jerry Bengtson said: "There will be a bit of rancour for us in the match against France. We will give our all to show that we are not 'miserable'. They will see what we can do." France are unlikely to be intimidated. Under Deschamps, there is more emphasis on athleticism and strength, and forward Olivier Giroud, for one, believes he will be ready for the challenge. "I like the contact and the physical battle," he said. "It is an asset for me against English defences." MATCH FACTS Head-to-head This will be the first meeting between France and Honduras. France France's only win in their last nine World Cup group matches came in 2006 against Togo. Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry scored the goals to ensure France finished group runners-up to Switzerland. Les Bleus have only scored one goal from open play in their last six World Cup games. Since lifting the trophy in 1998, France have failed to score in all three World Cup openers, losing 1-0 to Senegal in 2002 and subsequently drawing 0-0 twice. The injured Franck Ribery was France's five-goal top scorer in the qualifying campaign, and also provided an unrivalled six assists in 10 games. Karim Benzema has scored six goals in as many games for France since ending a 15-match goal drought at international level. Honduras Honduras have failed to score in their last four World Cup games. Their only win in the last seven games was 2-1 at home to a below-strength Venezuela in March. Luis Fernando Suarez's side have won just one of their last 11 games outside Honduras - against Mexico in September. Jerry Bengtson was Honduras' top scorer in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers with nine goals in 12 games. Ten members of the squad were selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. please log in to view this image 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP Venue: Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro Date: Sunday 15 June Kick-off: 23:00 BST Coverage: BBC TV, Connected TV, BBC Radio 5 live and BBC Sport website TEAM NEWS Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has been nursing an ankle problem but is likely to play alongside Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero in a 4-3-3 system. Fellow forward Rodrigo Palacio hurt his ankle in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago and is set to miss out. Bosnia and Hercegovina boss Safet Susic may drop striker Vedad Ibisevic in order to bolster his midfield. Susic hopes utility player Sejad Salihovic will be fit despite a minor injury. MATCH PREVIEW In a tournament already raining goals, don't expect this match to buck the trend. Both Argentina and Bosnia-Hercegovina scored at least 30 times in qualifying and are led by coaches for whom attack is the best form of defence. The five strikers selected by Argentine coach Alejandro Sabella hit 124 club goals this season. Sabella will 'only' start with three of them, but they are ably supported by winger Angel Di Maria, who is shoehorned into the side as midfield playmaker. The Fantastic Four give Argentina fearsome firepower, although Sabella admits selecting the quartet sometimes leave the side imbalanced. Balance is also a concern for opposite number Safet Susic. The 59-year-old, who was part of the Yugoslavia side eliminated by Argentina at the 1990 World Cup, opted for cavalier tactics in qualifying. However, his team were soundly beaten 2-0 by Argentina in a friendly last November - when the South Americans also missed a hatful of chances. That display means Susic is likely to go 4-2-3-1, a formation they trialled successfully in recent warm-up wins against Ivory Coast and Mexico. Manchester City's Edin Dzeko certainly has the qualities to play as a lone striker, and boasts a formidable international record, with 35 goals in 62 caps. The Bosnians are the only debutants in Brazil, and will hope to become the first side to win their maiden World Cup match since Senegal shocked France in 2002. They may also take inspiration from Cameroon's famous victory against Argentina in 1990. That is the last time La Albiceleste lost their opening game, although on that occasion they recovered to reach the semi-finals - something they have not done since. With the likes of Neymar, Robin van Persie and Alexis Sanchez already off the mark in Brazil, all eyes will be on whether Lionel Messi can add to his solitary World Cup goal, scored in 2006. He has looked a different figure since being handed the captaincy by Sabella. If he is to stamp his mark on this tournament there is no better place to start than the Maracana. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head The Bosnians have lost their two previous matches against Argentina, both friendlies, without scoring. A Gabriel Batistuta hat-trick helped the Argentines win 5-0 in Cordoba in 1998 - a result which remains Bosnia's heaviest defeat in international football. The other meeting was in November last year when Sergio Aguero netted both goals in the US city of St Louis. Argentina Argentina have only won two of their last nine World Cup games against European sides (D4, L3 - with penalty shoot-outs counted as draws). However, they have won won nine of their last 12 group games (D2, L1) at the tournament, scoring 24 goals and conceding just four times. Their only defeat in that sequence was against England in 2002. Lionel Messi has only scored one goal in 571 minutes of World Cup football - against Serbia and Montenegro in 2006. He has found the net with one of 31 shots. Argentina scored 35 times in World Cup qualifying - only Germany (36) managed more goals. Bosnia-Hercegovina They are the only debutants at the 2014 World Cup. The last debutants to win their first World Cup match was Senegal against France in 2002. The Bosnians scored eight headed goals in qualifying - no European side managed more. Those headed goals were shared between Edin Dzeko and Vedad Ibisevic (four each). Dzeko scored 10 times overall in qualifying, while Ibisevic hit eight goals. Robin van Persie (11) was the only European striker with a better record. Zvjezdan Misimovic created more chances in qualifying (30) than any other Bosnian, including four assists.
Watching it but really struggling to keep eyes open, pleased this is the only one at this time or I might miss a few.
Same mate, and the Argies of course. Colombia & Holland have been the eye catchers so far, but Argentina remain my pick so I wanna see them, Bosnia are a capable side as well so will be a good marker for them. I expect France to murder Honduras in midfield.
Took some getting the first one down but this second is nectar Our lass has got holland, croatia and ecuador in her works sweep league thingy, romping it
