The modest group C consists of Colombia, Greece, Japan and Ivory Coast. All four sides will genuinely believe they can make the last 16. Colombia qualified comfortably from the South American region coming second to only Argentina. Monaco hotshot Radamel Falcao was imperious throughout the qualifying stages, bagging 9 goals in 13 goals to lift his nation to their first World Cup appearance since 1998. Then the prolific scorer tore his anterior cruciate ligament, throwing his participation at the World Cup in doubt. Falcao was left off the squad eventually and the Colombians are not as sure of their chances.

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Greece, ranked just 5 places below Colombia on the latest FIFA also qualified with ease. They also came second in their group which was topped by Bosnia and Herzegovina but the Euro 2004 winners need to be on top of their game to make it out of a very open group. Greece play a tough, hard-tackling defensive game which is not very attractive to watch but is mostly effective.

The form of both teams is similar. In the last six matches, Colombia have 3 wins and three draws while Greece lost one, drew two and won the remaining two.

TEAM NEWS

Jose Perherman’s side are expected to play a 3-4-3 formation with the wing backs offering support in attack. Influential Inter Milan midfielder Freddy Guarin is unavailable due to suspension with Abel Aguilar expected to start in his place.

Greece have no injury or suspension worries going into this game and will be full of confidence taking on a Colombia team shorn of their most dangerous player.

Odds Comparison:

Columbia	1.91	1.87	1.85	1.87	1.91	1.83
Draw	3.30	3.30	3.30	3.30	3.30	3.20
Greece	4.75	4.65	4.80	4.65	4.75	4.50

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update

Possible line ups

Colombia (3-4-3) : Ospina; Balanta, Yepes, Zapata; Armero, Sanchez, Aguilar, Zuniga;

Cuadrado, Gutierrez, Rodriguez

Greece (4-5-1) : Karnezis; Holebas, Manolas, Sokratis, Torosidis; Samaras, Tziolis, Maniatis,

Karagounis, Salpingidis; Mitroglou.

KEY BATTLE

Colombia will look to play through James Rodriguez and the pacy forward’s duels against physical and gritty centre back Sokratis Papastapolous will be interesting to watch.

ONE TO WATCH

Without Radamel Falcao, Monaco team mate James Rodriguez will be the main man in this tournament. The youngster is a creative attacking midfielder who can also play on the wings. Provided he can keep his head in the midst of the pressure, Rodriguez is well capable of unlocking the notoriously stubborn Greek wall of defence.

PREDICTION

This would be an interesting battle of wits between a defensive Greek team looking to break on the counter and a creative South American side. Fernando Santos’ side will look to set pieces to breach the Colombian defence while the South Americans will play technical football and will rely on the creativity of Monaco’s James Rodriguez to unlock the defence of the Europeans. It might be cagey affair early on but expect the match to get more exciting as time progresses, especially if Colombia fail to score an early goal. If Greece do manage to take the lead, they’ll try to seat on it while relying on pace on wings and crosses into the box.

Colombia 2 – 1 Greece –