NATAL, Brazil (SportingAlert) — Group D and Group C will conclude on Tuesday with the last set of preliminary fixtures at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
In Group D will come to an end with England facing Costa Rica and Italy and Uruguay battling for the final place from that group, while Group C will see Japan facing Colombia and Greece tackling the Ivory Coast, who are favourites to see off the former Euro champions.
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Game times are 12pm ET and 4pm ET, with the two Group D games going off first.
There are four World Cup games on schedule for Tuesday, but the clash of the day, though, is certainly expected to come from Group D in Natal, where Italy and Uruguay fight for the right to join Costa Rica in the last 16.
Both teams are on three points, with Italy holding a slight advantage on goal difference and will qualify with a draw. Luis Suarez, who scored both goals against England in the 2-1 win last week, will keep his place in the starting team, despite not fully fit. Italy could, which lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in their second game could go a little more offensive and name striker Ciro Immobile in the starting line.
England, already knocked out of the tournament, will hope to end their World Cup campaign on a high note with a win over Costa Rica in the other Group D game.
The battle for places in Group C also takes center stage, with the Ivory Coast, Japan and Greece ready to fight for one remain slot from the group.
With Colombia already booking a qualifying place, the South Americans could be tempted to rest key players to freshen up for the knock out round.
Captain Mario Yepes, who is carrying a muscle injury and forward Carlos Bacca will likely be rested, while midfielder Carlos Sanchez is in danger of missing the last 16 with another card, so he too will likely be kept out of the lineup for the clash in Cuiaba.
Greece take on Yaya Toure and the Ivory Coast, needing a big win and hope that Japan will lose heavily as well to qualify. They will have to do this, however, without Kostas Katsouranis, who is banned after his sending off against Japan in the last fixture.
The Ivory Coast will also be without Didier Zokora, who is suspended as well a after picking up two successive bookings.
It also remains to be seen if skipper and record goalscorer Didier Drogba will start after coming off the bench in the opening two World Cup group games.
