TEAM NEWS
Branislav Ivanovic is set to overtake former Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic to become Serbia’s most capped player with 104 international appearances.
Ivanovic is likely to start alongside captain Aleksandar Kolarov with Aleksandar Mitrovic deployed as the lone striker.
Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas is expected to start in goal for Costa Rica. Giancarlo Gonzalez and Oscar Duarte should also be included in defence.
COSTA RICA LINE UP
1 Keylor Navas (Goalkeeper)
16 Cristian Gamboa (Defender)
6 Óscar Duarte (Defender)
3 Giancarlo González (Defender)
2 Jhonny Acosta (Defender)
15 Francisco Calvo (Defender)
10 Bryan Ruiz (Midfielder)
5 Celso Borges (Midfielder)
20 David Guzmán (Midfielder)
11 Johan Venegas (Midfielder)
21 Marco Ureña (Forward)
SERBIA LINE UP
1 Vladimir Stojković (Goalkeeper)
6 Branislav Ivanović (Defender)
3 Duško Tošić (Defender)
11 Aleksandar Kolarov (Defender)
15 Nikola Milenković (Defender)
22 Adem Ljajić (Midfielder)
21 Nemanja Matić (Midfielder)
20 Sergej Milinković-Savić (Midfielder)
10 Dušan Tadić (Midfielder)
4 Luka Milivojević (Midfielder)
9 Aleksandar Mitrović (Forward)
OVERVIEW
With games against Brazil and Switzerland lying in wait in Group E, this is a pivotal opening game for both nations to press their credentials to reach the knockout stages.
Costa Rica famously reached the quarter-finals four years ago after topping a group including former winners England, Italy and Uruguay.
However, the Central Americans have only ever gone beyond the group stage once before that – on their first-ever appearance at the finals at Italia 90.
Since the break up of the former Yugoslavia, Serbia have been unable to progress past the group stage of a World Cup.
Mladen Krstajic’s side are also the lowest ranked team in the group but look strong in midfield.
Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic, Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Southampton’s Dusan Tadic are key to their hopes of advancing.
VIEW FROM COSTA RICA CAMP
Costa Rica coach Oscar Ramirez: “The first match in the World Cup is always crucial.
“When the game starts we will see how to handle Serbia. They will put a lot of pressure on in the first 20 minutes and we need to deal with this with balance and calm nerves.
“Intensity will be key. If we score first or they score first, that is key. I am concerned about this aspect.”
VIEW FROM THE SERBIA CAMP
Serbia captain Aleksandar Kolarov: “If we play to our potential, are honest among ourselves, as we have been these three weeks, then we can do something.
“I will tell the younger players to stay calm and enjoy their football because this is a huge opportunity for the 23 of us to represent our country.
“Qualifying for Russia was a great success, we are here on merit, but we are not going to be satisfied merely by being here, we want to go a step further.”
LAWRO’S PREDICTION
Costa Rica were the surprise package of the 2014 World Cup but people will be ready for them this time.
I am not convinced Serbia will make it out of Group E either. Aleksandar Mitrovic got a hat-trick against Bolivia over the weekend and did well for Fulham last season – but as a goalscorer, he is only really proven in the Championship.
Prediction: 0-0
