CHRIS SUTTON’S BOOTROOM
SOUTH KOREA v GERMANY
The Germans will be too strong for South Korea them and have more than enough to go through. They may have to settle for second, though, setting up a mouthwatering last 16 clash with Brazil. VERDICT: Germany win 3-0. SUOTH KOREA (4-2-3-1): Hyun-woo; Yong, Hyun-soo, Young-gwon, Min-woo; Se-jong, Ja-cheol; Jae-sung, Hee-chan, Seung-woo; Heung-min. GERMANY (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Kimmich, Hummels, Rudiger, Hector; Khedira, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Reus; Werner. Referee: Mark Geiger (USA). Radio: LIVE on BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT.
SERBIA v BRAZIL
BRAZIL only need to equal Switzerland’s result to top the group. We haven’t seen the form that saw Brazil dominate South American qualification and Neymar needs to step up but I’m backing them to kickstart their World Cup with a convincing win. VERDICT: Brazil win 3-0. SERBIA (4-2-3-1): Stojkovic; Ivanovic, Rukavina, Tosic, Kolarov; Milivojevic, Matic; Tadic, Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic; Mitrovic. BRAZIL (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Fagner, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Paulinho, Casemiro, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar. Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran). Radio: LIVE on BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT.
MEXICO v SWEDEN
SWEDEN missed a huge opportunity when Germany went down to 10 men but surprise-package Mexico can still go out if results go against them. I can see them getting a point to top the group. VERDICT: 1-1. MEXICO (4-2-3-1): Ochoa; Alvarez, Ayala, Moreno, Gallardo; Herrera, Guardado; Layun, Vela, Lozano; Hernandez. SWEDEN (4-4-2): Olsen; Lustig, Granqvist, Lindelof, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Ekdal, Forsberg; Toivonen; Berg. Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina). Radio: LIVE on BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT 2.
SWITZERLAND v COSTA RICA
SWITZERLAND have been underestimated. Superbly organised, they may lack a proven striker, but easily have enough to beat Costa Rica. Only an enormous shock against a side already out would prevent the Swiss from reaching the last 16. VERDICT: Switzerland win 2-0. SWITZERLAND (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Lichtsteiner, Schar, Akanji, Rodriguez; Behrami, Xhaka; Shaqiri, Dzemaili, Zuber; Gavranovic. COSTA RICA (3-4-2-1): Navas; Acosta, Gonzalez, Duarte; Gamboa, Borges, Guzman, Oviedo; Bolanos, Ruiz; Urena. Referee: Clement Turpin (France). Radio: LIVE on BBC 5 Live and talkSPORT 2.