World Cup 2014 – Matchday Three – Predicted Lineups

Ahead of the third set of World Cup fixtures, we’ve compiled a working community article listing each teams’ expected line-up. Based on community feedback via this Hot Topic and in the comment section below, this article will be updated with lineup changes and any points of interest with credits given to those who contribute.

Group A

Brazil (4-2-3-1)

Julio Cesar; Alves, Thiago (c), Luiz, Marcelo; Gustavo, Paulinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.

Notes: Hulk is set for a recall in place of Ramires as Brazil return to their Matchday One line up. Research by Demi.

Croatia (4-2-3-1)

Pletikosa; Srna (c), Corluka, Lovren, Pranjic; Rakitic, Modric; Perisic, Cruz Campos, Olic; Mandzuckic

Cameroon (4-2-3-1)

Itandje; Djeugoue, N’Koulou, Chedjou, Bedimo; Makoun, M’bia; Moukandjo, Chouo-Moting, Enoh; Webo

Notes: Song is suspended for Cameroon’s Matchday 3 game with Makoun expected to deputise. Assou-Ekotto set to be dropped. Research by Demi.

Mexico (3-4-2-1)

Ochoa; F Rodriguez, Marquez (c), Moreno; Aguilar, Layun; Vazquez, Herrera; Guadrado, Dos Santos; Peralta.

Notes: Mexico set to be unchanged, according to the Mexico manager. Research by Demi.

Group B

Spain (4-3-2-1)

Reina; Albiol, Ramos, JuanFran,  Alba; Alonso, Koke, Cazorla; Iniesta, Villa; Torres.

Netherlands (5-3-2)

Cillessen; de Vrij, Vlaar, Blind; Janmaat, Kuyt; de Jong; Wijnaldum, Sneijder; Robben (c); Lens.

Note: For Matchday 3 van Persie is suspended and Lens is set to deputise. Bruno Martins Indi is injured for Holland
Joel Veltman or Kongolo is set to replace him if they continue with 5-3-2. Research by Djerbil.

Chile (4-4-2)

Bravo (c); Isla, Medel, Jara, Mena; Gutierrez, Aranguiz, Diaz, Silva; Sanchez, Vargas

Notes: Vidal is set to be rested and replaced with Gutierrez. Research by Demi.

Australia (4-3-3)

Ryan; McGowan, Spiranovic, Wilkinson, Davidson; Jedinak (c), McKay, Halloran; Bozanic, Oar, Leckie.

Notes Leckie set to move from the right to deputise for the suspended Cahill upfront, with Halloran or Vidosic to come in to replace him. McKay is set to keep his place over Milligan. Mark Bresciano is an injury doubt, with Bozanic a strong possibility to replace hm.

Group C

Japan (4-2-3-1)

Kawashima; Uchida, Yoshida, Hasebe (c), Nagatomo; Morishige, Yamaguchi; Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa; Osako.

Greece (4-3-3)

Karnezis; Torosidis, Sokratis, Manolas, Holebas; Karagounis (c), Maniatis, Kone; Salpingidis, Samaras, Lazaros.

Note: Lazaros set to start. Research by Demi.

Ivory Coast (4-3-3)

Barry; Aurier, Toure, Bamba, Boka; Tiote, Serey Die, Y Toure (c); Gervinho, Kalou, Drogba

Note: K. Toure should come in to replace the suspended Zakora. Drogba set to start up front ahead of Bony. Research by TorresMagic and Demi.

Colombia (4-2-3-1)

Ospina; Zuniga, Zapata, Yepes (c), Armero; Aguilar, Sanchez; Cuadrado, Gutierrez, Rodriguez; Ibarbo.

Group D

England (4-3-3)

Foster, Jones, Smalling, Cahill, Shaw; Lampard (c), Wilshire, Milner; Lallana Barkley, Sturridge.

Notes: Manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed his starting XI for the Costa Rica match.

Italy (5-3-2)

Buffon (c); Bonucci, Chiellini, Barzagli; Darmian, De Sciglio; Pirlo, Verratti; Marchisio; Immobile, Balotelli.

Notes: Italy set to start Immobile and Verratti. Research by  Demi.

Uruguay (4-4-2)

Muslera; Fucile, Gimenez, Godin, Caceres; Arevalo Rios, Gargano, Stuani, Rodriguez; Cavani, Suarez.

Costa Rica (5-2-3)

Navas; Gamboa, Umana, Gonzalez, Duarte, Diaz; Borges, Tejeda; Bolanos, Ruiz (c); Campbell.

Group E

France (4-3-3)

Lloris (c); Sagna, Sakho, Koscielny, Digne; Matuidi, Schneiderlin, Pogba; Sissoko, Benzema, Griezmann.

Notes: French media are reporting changes are expected particularly in defence. Research by Demi.

Switzerland (4-2-3-1)

Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Schär, Djourou, Rodriguez; Behrami, Inler (c); Shaqiri, Xhaka, Mehmedi; Drmić

Notes: Swiss training sessions split the squad into A and B teams, with A set to be the starting XI for the next match. The above is the current A team. Research by Portsmouth Bubblejet.

Ecuador (4-4-2)

Dominguez; Paredes, Erazo, Guagua, W Ayovi; A Valencia (c), Gruezo, Noboa, Montero; E Valencia, Caicedo.

Honduras (4-4-2)

Valladares; Beckeles, Bernandez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Garrido, Claros, Bernárdez, Espinoza; Costly, Bengston.

Note: Claros is expected to replace the suspended Palacios

Group F

Argentina (4-3-3)

Romero; Zabaleta, Garay, Fernandez, Rojo; Mascherano, Gago, Di Maria; Messi (c), Aguero, Higuain.

Bosnia & Herzegovina (4-4-1-1)

Begovic; Mujdza, Bicakcic, Spahic (c), Kolasinac; Besic, Ibisevic, Pjanic, Lulic, Misimovic; Dzeko.

Notes: Ibisevic is set to start, with one of Hajrovic or Misimovic making way. Research by Demi.

Nigeria (4-2-3-1)

Enyeama (c); Efe, Omeruo, Yobo, Oshaniwa; Onazi, Mikel; Babatunde, Musa, Odemwingie; Emenike

Notes: Efe and Odemwingie among starters against Argentina. Research by Demi.

Iran (4-2-3-1)

Haghighi; Montazeri, Hosseini, Sadeqi, Pooladi; Heydari, Nekounam (c), Teymourian; Dejagah, Hajsafi; Ghoochannejhad.

Group G

Germany (4-1-2-3)

Neuer; Boateng, Mertesacker, Hummels, Höwedes; Lahm (c); Khedira, Kroos; Muller, Ozil, Gotze.

Portugal (4-3-3)

Beto; Costa, Alves, A.Almeida, Pepe; Veloso, Meireles, Moutinho; Nani, Ronaldo(c), Eder.

Ghana (4-2-3-1)

Larsen Kwarasey; Opare, Boye, Mensah, Agyemang Badu; Atsu, Asamoah, Essien, J. Ayew, A.Ayew; Gyan(c).

Notes: Muntari and Boateng have been sent home following alleged physical and verbal assualts respectively. Research by Paul.

USA (4-4-2)

Howard; Beasley, Besler, Cameron, Johnson; Beckerman, Jones, Bradley, Bedoya; Jóhannsson, Dempsey (c).

Group H

Belgium (4-3-3)

Courtois; Vanden Borre, Van Buyten, Lombaerts, Vertonghen; Fellaini, Witsel, Mertens; de Bruyne, Origi, Hazard.

Notes: Vermaelen and Kompany are both  injured and will miss Belgium’s final group match. Research by Demi.

Russia (4-3-3)

Akinfeev,; Kombarov, Ignashevich, Berezutski (c), Yeshchenko; Glushakov, Shatov, Fayzulin; Samedov Kokorin, Zhirkov.

South Korea (4-2-3-1)

Jung Sung-ryong; Yuk Suk-young , Kim Young-gwon, Hong Jeong-ho, Lee Young-joon; Ki Sung-yueng, Han Kook-young, Koo Ja-cheol(c), Son Heung-min, Lee Chung-yong; Park Chu-young.

Algeria (4-1-4-1)

M’bolhi; Ghoulam, Bougherra (c) ,Halliche, Mostefa; Bentaleb, Medjani, Mahrez, Feghouli, Taider; Soudani.