Switzerland vs Costa Rica. FIFA World Cup Group E.
Nizhny Novgorod StadiumAttendance43,319.
Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner available
Wednesday 27 June 2018 18:01, UK
Switzerland are aiming to make the last 16 of the World Cup when they take on Costa Rica in their final Group E game on Wednesday.
The Swiss picked up a late 2-1 win against Serbia to put them in pole position for qualification, currently on four points along with Brazil, who have a better goal difference.
Switzerland can make the knockout rounds with a win, or with a draw as long as Serbia draw or lose to Brazil, coach Vladimir Petkovic says he's happy for his team to continue with its "organised chaos" approach.
"We created what we call an organised chaos and we are going to continue to do that in the future as well. We are going to play around with that," he said.
Costa Rica have already been eliminated from the World Cup after two successive losses, and are yet to score a goal in Russia, and coach Oscar Ramirez says the team have faced unfair criticism back at home.
"I feel hurt and disappointed at the same time. People have said very uncomfortable things," he said.
"I wanted to make our country happy, I really didn't want to go through what we have gone through. We had a very tough group. I have tried the best I can, I am sleeping fine. In our country, people are very emotional."
Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner are available for Switzerland after they escaped a FIFA ban for appearing to make hand signals that imitated the double-headed eagle on the Albanian flag against Serbia.
Some Costa Rica players could be making their last appearances at a World Cup - including 32-year-old captain Bryan Ruiz - although neither side have any injuries or suspensions to contend with.
Switzerland are another side that have played well at this tournament so far. I wish Granit Xhaka could play for Arsenal like he does for his country! Xherdan Shaqiri is another that has found a bit of form for his country. I'm just not convinced about them at the back. I'm very pleased Arsenal have signed Stephan Lichtsteiner. He's been a warrior for many, many years but it's the other side of the defence that concerns me. I think you can really get at the centre-backs and the left-back. However, that won't be too much of a problem against Costa Rica, who will be on their way home with zero points after this match.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)