BBC Sport

 

Argentina will not risk playmaker Juan Veron, who is carrying a calf problem. Liverpool midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is set to replace the 35-year-old.

Coach Diego Maradona is tipped to recall Nicolas Burdisso following Jonas Gutierrez's unconvincing performance at right-back in the win against Nigeria.

South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo is unlikely to make many changes after the impressive victory against Greece. Monaco striker Park Chu-young will lead the line, with captain Park Ji-sung providing support from midfield.

One booking from suspension: Gutierrez (Argentina)

MATCH PREVIEW

After encouraging displays in their opening games, both Argentina and South Korea know victory at Soccer City will leave them on the brink of qualification for the last 16. Argentina will become the first side to reach the knock-out stage if they win and Greece fail to beat Nigeria a few hours later. Similarly, the Koreans will advance if they defeat the South Americans and Nigeria are unable to collect three points.

Diego Maradona switched to a 4-3-3 formation against Nigeria on Saturday to get the best out of Lionel Messi, and the ploy certainly paid off. The Barcelona star did everything but score against the Super Eagles, for whom goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama was in inspired form.

Argentina's six strikers have scored 170 club goals in the past 12 months, but it was a defender, Gabriel Heinze, who made the breakthrough when he headed in unmarked from a corner. Many have questioned Maradona's coaching credentials, but midfielder Juan Veron says the credit for Heinze's goal belongs to the 49-year-old. He spotted that the Nigerians flood the six-yard box when defending corners but leave space at the edge of the penalty area.

South Korea should be better organised, judging by their impressive win against Greece. Victory made Huh Jung-moo the first non-foreign coach to lead South Korea to victory in a World Cup game. He played against Argentina at 1986 World Cup, collecting a booking for a kung fu-style lunge on Maradona in a 3-1 defeat. The Argentine boss said last year "the Korean played taekwondo, not football against us - I still remember Huh."

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- Argentina have recorded victories in both of their previous matches against South Korea. They won 1-0 in a friendly in Seoul in 2003 and beat the Koreans 3-1 in a group match at the 1986 World Cup. Argentina coach Diego Maradona and Korean counterpart Huh-Jung moo both played in that game in Mexico City.

ARGENTINA

- The Argentines have yet to draw a game under Diego Maradona. They have won 15 of 20 games since he took charge.

- Gabriel Heinze's sixth-minute opener was a good omen for Argentina's World Cup chances. The last time they won the tournament, in 1986, they also scored six minutes into their first game, Jorge Valdano netting in the win against South Korea.

South Korea

- Park Ji-sung's goal against Greece made him the first South Korean to score at three World Cups. He netted against Portugal in 2002 and France in 2006.

- Thursday's match is the 56th anniversary of South Korea's first World Cup match. They lost 9-0 to Hungary on 17 June 1954.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Frank De Bleeckere (Belgium)

Assistants: Peter Hermans and Walter Vromans (both Belgium)

Fourth official: Jerome Damon (South Africa)

BBC Sport

 

Left-back Taye Taiwo is available for Nigeria despite stubbing his toe in the defeat to Argentina. Lars Lagerback could opt to recall winger Peter Odemwingie, who surprisingly started on the bench on Saturday.

Centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos was a shock omission for Greece's opening game but should return against the Super Eagles.

Defender Vangelis Moras is also available after recovering from injury. Forward Dimitrios Salpingidis could also feature after impressing off the bench against the Koreans.

One booking from suspension: Torosidis (Greece), Haruna (Nigeria)

MATCH PREVIEW

The 2010 World Cup is desperately in need of goals, but don't bank on the drought ending in Bloemfontein. Greece have never scored a World Cup goal, while Nigeria have managed only one in their last four games at the tournament. A goalless draw is probably of little use to either side, so surely something has to give?

Greece lost all three games at USA '94, their only previous World Cup appearance, conceding 10 unanswered goals. Saturday's 2-0 defeat to South Korea means they remain the only European side without a World Cup goal (excluding those teams that have never qualified). Outside of Europe, five other countries have failed to leave their mark - China, Canada, Trinidad & Tobago, Zaire and the Dutch East Indies (now known as Indonesia). The 2004 European champions are not exactly keeping illustrious company.

Not for the first time, Nigeria's chances appears to have been hampered by poor preparation. Midfielder Dickson Etuhu complained about the lack of altitude training after defeat to Argentina at Ellis Park. However, the Super Eagles were certainly not outclassed by the Argentines and will still feel they have a realistic chance of progressing from Group B.

If Argentina beat South Korea in Thursday's first game, anything other than a Greek victory will mean Diego Maradona's men become the first side to reach the knock-out stage. Similarly, the Koreans will advance if they defeat the South Americans and Nigeria are unable to collect three points.

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head

- Nigeria beat Greece 2-0 in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup thanks to goals from Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi. The only other game between the sides saw Greece win 2-0 in a friendly in 1999.

GREECE

- Ottoh Rehhagel's side managed just two shots on target in their defeat to South Korea.

- The Greeks have yet to win a game in 2010. Their last victory was against Ukraine in November in a World Cup play-off second leg.

NIGERIA

- All four of the Super Eagles' previous World Cup victories have come against European opposition. They beat Bulgaria (3-0) and Greece (2-0) at USA '94, and defeated Spain (3-2) and Bulgaria (1-0) at France '98.

- The Super Eagles managed only one shot on target in their opening defeat to Argentina.

- Nigeria qualified for the World Cup unbeaten.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee Oscar Ruiz (Colombia)

Assistants Abraham Gonzalez and Humberto Clavijo (both Colombia)

Fourth official Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)

BBC Sport

 

France coach Raymond Domenech is expected to abandon the 4-3-3 formation that proved ineffective against Uruguay and revert to his preferred 4-2-3-1 system against Mexico, with Jeremy Toulalan and Abou Diaby in front of the defence. Domenech may also be tempted to reinstate forward Thierry Henry to the starting line-up, possibly in place of Nicolas Anelka.

Meanwhile, Fifa has rejected a request from France to call up a new goalkeeper after Cedric Carrasso suffered a thigh muscle injury in training on Monday.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre could opt for Guillermo Ochoa in goal after Oscar Perez's shaky showing against South Africa. Barcelona's Rafael Marquez hurt his right calf muscle in the second half against South Africa but says he is now "100%".

One booking from suspension: Juarez, Torrado (Mexico); Evra, Ribery, Toulalan (France)

MATCH PREVIEW

On 13 July, 1930, the first-ever World Cup match was staged at the Pocitos stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay*. The teams were Mexico and France, the latter arriving on the SS Conte Verde, having set sail from Barcelona on 22 June. French striker Lucient Laurent wrote his name in the record books with the tournament's opening goal, on 19 minutes, as Les Bleus cruised to a 4-1 victory.

The class of 2010 meet in Polokwane on Thursday in a game that neither can afford to lose. Having gate-crashed South Africa's party in the opening match of the tournament, Aguirre's Mexico will relish the opportunity to tackle a French side that appears to be in disarray. Rumours of factions in the dressing room and tensions between players and coach Domenech refuse to go away, and former stars have been queuing up to criticise the team's lacklustre performance against Uruguay.

Even the weather seems to have turned against the French. Downpours in the Western Cape where the team are based have turned their training pitch into a sodden mess. Fellow finalists Denmark refused Domenech permission to use their facilities, leaving France to carry on in less than perfect conditions as they prepare for a game that could define their World Cup.

It all makes for happy reading for Mexico and Aguirre, who is expected to stick with the same team that earned a 1-1 draw with the hosts. That means 22-year-old striker Javier Hernandez will again have to settle for a place on the bench. The Manchester United-bound youngster will be hoping to emulate his grandfather, Tomas Balcazar, who was also 22 when he scored in Mexico's 3-2 defeat to the French in the 1954 finals. Hernandez's father, also called Javier, was a non-playing member of Mexico's 1986 World Cup squad that also featured El Tri boss Aguirre.

*USA v Belgium kicked off at the same time at Parque Central.

MATCH STATS
Head-to-head

- The first game in World Cup history was a 4-1 win for France over Mexico (13 July, 1930).

- Mexico have never beaten France in six previous encounters. Les Bleus have won five and drawn one, scoring 15 goals in the process.

- Their most recent meeting was a 1-0 friendly win for France in May 2006.

France

- Les Bleus have won only one of their last six matches.

- France are unbeaten against CONCACAF teams at the World Cup. In four previous matches they have won three (against Mexico twice and Canada) and drawn one (also against Mexico).

- Les Bleus are playing in their 13th World Cup and have reached two of the last three finals.

Mexico

- Coach Aguirre played five times for his country at the 1986 World Cup, remaining unbeaten against European opposition. Mexico beat Belgium 2-1 in the first round, Bulgaria 2-0 in the second round and they drew 0-0 with Germany in the quarter-finals before being eliminated on penalties (a game in which Aguirre was sent off).

- Aguirre led Mexico at the 2002 World Cup where his record against European opposition was also strong - a 1-0 win over Croatia and a 1-1 draw with Italy.

- Mexico have reached the last 16-stage at the past four World Cup finals.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee Khalil Al Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)

Assistants Hassan Kamranifar (Iran) and Saleh Al Marzouqi (United Arab Emirates)

Fourth official Peter O'Leary (New Zealand)