Big games to look out for this week

TEAMS at the World Cup will want to begin their group stage campaigns on a high note.

Here, Mihlali Baleka looks at five big games in the opening week of the Qatar World Cup.

SENEGAL V NETHERLANDS

Today @ 6pm

African champions Senegal will be without talisman Sadio Mane at the World Cup, after the Bayern Munich forward picked up an injury two weeks ago.

But even without Mane, Senegal will know that the show must go on. That’s why strikers such as Ismaila Sarr have to chip in with the goals.

That’s easier said than done, though, given the fact that they will start their campaign against the Netherlands, who are one of the favourites.

The Oranje were losing finalists in 2010. But a lot has changed since then, a the relatively young team hitting the right notes under coach Louis Van Gaal.

MOROCCO V CROATIA

Wednesday @ 12pm

Since sacking coach Vahid Halilhodzic for alienating players, Morocco bagged their first win last week, beating Georgia 3-0 in a friendly ahead of the World Cup.

That feat was achieved thanks to Hakim Ziyech, who scored a brilliant goal to mark his return from international retirement. But the Atlas Lions work will have their work cut out for them against Croatia, who were World Cup finalists in Russia in 2018.

The composition of the Croatian squad has slightly changed compared to the one in 2018, but with Luca Modric still in the picture, they will have hope.

PORTUGAL V GHANA

Thursday @ 6pm

Ghana are facing a goalkeeping conundrum heading to their opener, having not included their first choice Joe Wollacott and deputy Richard Ofori.

The pair picked up injuries at their respective clubs earlier this month, opening up spots for Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen and Ibrahim Danlad.

In a friendly against Switzerland last week, which Ghana won 2-0, Ati Zigi started in goal, but whether he will start against Portugal on Thursday remains to be seen.

Portugal will be favourites to progress to the knockout stages and that’s why they will want a good start despite some troublesome distractions thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo.

BRAZIL V SERBIA

Thursday @ 9pm

Brazil are the favourites to win the title, as they have a generation of players who are tipped to end their 20-year wait for a sixth World Cup crown.

They might have a lot of players who will be making their World Cup debut, but they still have seniors that include talisman Neymar.

Nevertheless, the Brazilians know that they will have to dig deep to live up to that lofty billing, especially against Serbia who are known to be stubborn in defence.

The Serbians have failed to make a mark in their last two World Cup appearancess in 2010 and 2018, crashing out in the group stage, but they will hope that changes in Qatar.

FRANCE V DENMARK

Saturday @ 6pm

Italy and Brazil are the only teams that have won back-to-back World Cups, but there’s nothing stopping France from writing their little bit of history as well.

They have the experience and depth, including Kylian Mbappe, who was one of the stars in Russia four years ago. Sure, the odds will be stacked against Denmark, but if the Euros are anything to go by, then they have nothing to worry about.

They have a talented group, including Manchester United’s Christian Eriksen, who has had an impressive first half of the season.