Day 4. Costa Rica - Serbia. Brazil - Switzerland. Germany - Mexico.

Pasamela!

Day 4.

Game 9, 10, and 11.

Costa Rica - Serbia 17th June 13:00

LAFC man Urena

Los Ticos take on the Eagles in the hotly anticipated first game of group E. Plucky Costa Rica seem to always find a way to win. Although consistent in qualifying and at tournaments, finishing second behind Mexico in the CONCACAF qualification, Costa Rica have been anything but in their recent friendlies. With victories over both Northern Ireland and Scotland, but defeats to Tunisia and Hungary, it will be difficult to predict which Costa Rica will turn up in Russia. Similar can be said for European hopefuls Serbia. After doing well to finish top of their qualification group ahead of the Republic of Ireland, Wales, and Austria, their form has been inconsistent, with losses to Chile and Morocco, and a draw with Korea.

Ones To Watch:
Keylor Navas brings in much needed experience to this Costa Rican side, and with his very much hit and miss season for Real Madrid, he will be hoping to silence some critics with some big performances for his country. Los Ticos will be relying on Marco Urena in front of goal. Currently turning out for new MLS side LAFC, Urena has been the saviour of Costa Rica on multiple occasions. His goals vs the USA and Mexico in qualification all but sealed the Costa Ricans return to the World Cup, and they will be hoping he can deliver the goods once again.

Goal threat Mitrovic

With few options up front Alexander Mitrovic will be the key man for Serbia. An incredible second half of the season in the Championship for promoted Fulham left Newcastle ruing what could have been. The 23 year old bagged 12 in just 17 games for Fulham, and along with his impressive scoring record for Serbia (16 in 37), he will be the one to watch.

Pre Match Predictions:
Serbia's current crop of players are undoubtedly the best they've seen. They should have enough experience to over come an inconsistent Costa Rica side. With Brazil in the group, both sides will want to avoid defeat, and expect to see Costa Rica sit back and play for exactly that. However, Serbia's attacking threat should be too much for the Central Americans. Serbia's last ten games have averaged just 2.2 goals, the same amount as Costa Rica's, although that does include a 5-0 loss to Spain.

Best Bets: Serbia to WIN to NIL - 7/4 (Ladbrokes) Mitrovic to Score - 29/20 (Winner)

Germany - Mexico 17th June 16:00

The game of the day arrives at 16:00 in the opening match of group F. Exciting Mexico take on holders Germany in what promises to be an end to end spectacle. Both nations once again qualified with relative ease to get to this stage, and will be favourites to advance to the last 16. Germany won ten out of ten, scoring 43 and conceding just 4 on their way to Russia, whereas Mexico topped the CONCACAF qualification.

Ochoa to save the day?

Ones To Watch:
It could be a long day for the Mexicans if Germany can continue their great tournament form. The spectacular Guillermo Ochoa has often been Mexico's star man, and they will need him again to have any chance of keeping the Germans out. The keeper now plies his trade in Belgium at Standard Liege and guided them to a second place finish. It will be ex Premier League men Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos who will provide the German defence with the most problems. Now both playing in the MLS, the two internationally experienced men will be key for Mexico going forward, alongside the unpredictable Hirving Lozano. The 23 year old has scored 17 in 29 for PSV, and will be hoping to add to his 7 international goals.

Golden boot for Werner?

For Germany it will be a matter of 'same again'. The hugely experienced Khedira, Kroos, and Ozil will lead the way in midfield, while trying to tee up main goal scoring threat Timo Werner. The 22 year old has 8 in 14 for his nation, and will surely be a contender for the golden boot. The Leipzig striker will be going to his first major tournament and may feel the weight of expectation on his shoulders. However, he has shown no signs of that in the past for his country, even with some questionable support from his owns fans.

Pre Match Predictions:
Germany will surely have too much for the Mexicans to handle. Combining experience and youth, this German team looks like it may have the team in place to go all the way once again. Although they were poor in their last friendly against the minnows of Saudi Arabia, they should step up now tournament football has begun. Mexico will have to attack as one would assume they will go behind at some point, and could break through with the many young attacking players in the squad.

Best Bets: Germany to WIN and BTTS - 23/10 (Marathon Bet)
Timo Werner to Score - 7/5 (Paddy Power)

Brazil - Switzerland 17th June 19:00

Main man Neymar

Tournament favourites Brazil will be looking forward to their first World Cup match since their embarrassing 7-1 defeat to Germany and 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands. After topping the CONMEBOL qualification with just a single defeat Brazil are back to their magnificent best. Switzerland were fortunate to qualify after a narrow 1-0 win over Northern Ireland in a playoff but have looked to improve in their pre tournament friendlies with wins over Panama, Greece, Japan and a draw with Spain. These two will be hoping to take the top two spots, and will be keeping a close eye on the Serbia - Costa Rica game for a draw.

Ones To Watch:
For Brazil, one cannot look past Neymar for not only the golden boot, but also the player of the tournament. He has looked in exciting form going into the first game after goals in friendlies vs Austria and Croatia. The PSG man will be hoping that this is his tournament to finally be mentioned in the same breath as Messi and Ronaldo, and one wouldn't bet against it.

Zakaria to announce himself?

Switzerland will need to be solid in midfield and Granit Xhaka of Arsenal could be the man to provide said stability. Xhaka has hardly lit up the Premier League, but has always been consistent for Switzerland, and they will be relying on him to add some much needed flair to their side. It could be a big tournament also for youngster Denis Zakaria. The BMG 6ft 3in midfielder could provide some much needed counter balance to the skillful Brazilians.

Pre Match Predictions:
Brazil will be hoping to get off to a fast start in the tournament, and this could be the perfect match to do it in. Brazil will have too much flair and experience for the Swiss to cope with, and should score in abundance. Switzerland don't concede too many goals, but today may be one step too far for them.

Best Bets: Brazil to WIN and OVER 2.5 Goals - 13/10 (WilliamHill)
Neymar to Score - 10/11 (bet365)


@andy_hayden