Uruguay v Costa Rica: Group D preview

Luis Suarez is in a race against time to be fit in Uruguay’s first World Cup game in Brazil since winning in 1950.

Uruguay will look to look to build upon their fourth-place finish in South Africa four years ago [AFP]

Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani look set to spearhead Uruguay’s attack if Liverpool’s Player of the Year Luis Suarez fails to be fit for the game against Costa Rica.

La Celeste’s form coming into the tournament is good, having beaten Slovenia and Northern Ireland and they will look to play an attacking brand of football. They are heavy favourites to win this match as they look to build upon their fourth-place finish in South Africa four years ago.

Recent Champions League winner Diego Godin will provide solidity at the back.

Costa Rica’s power up front will come from Arsenal’s Joel Campbell, who spent most of last season on loan to Greek side Olympiakos.

The team’s win against Northern Ireland before the World Cup was their first in 2014 and they will be heavily reliant on the form of Levante goalkeeper Keylor Navas if they are to stand a chance of progressing from a tough group that also includes Italy and England.

Match facts

Uruguay have never lost to Costa Rica in eight previous meetings (W6, D2)
Le Celeste beat Costa Rica 2-1 in a play-off to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals
Uruguay won the only previous World Cup held in Brazil, defeating the hosts in 1950
Costa Rica have won only three of 10 previous World Cup finals matches (D2, L5)

Venue: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza

Kick-off: 22:00

Possible teams:

Uruguay (Possible, 4-4-2): Muslera; Pereira, Lugano, Godin, Caceres; Rios, Lodeiro, Stuani, Rodriguez; Forlan, Cavani.

Costa Rica (Possible, 5-4-1): Navas; Gamboa, Umana, Gonzalez, Acosta, Diaz; Bolanos, Borges, Tejeda; Campbell, Ruiz.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany).

Source: Al Jazeera