Uruguay will be looking to make the best possible start to their World Cup campaign when they take on Group D underdogs Costa Rica on Saturday evening.

Meeting each other in Fortaleza before Italy and England face off later on the same night means that the winner of this clash will be sitting comfortably at the top of the group.

Uruguay, considered dark horses by many ahead of the tournament, are looking for a similar campaign to the one they enjoyed in South Africa four years ago, when they reached the semi-finals before being knocked out by the Netherlands.

Luis Suarez's fitness has dominated the headlines throughout their build-up to the competition, and doubts still remain despite the Liverpool forward training with the rest of the squad this week.

If Suarez is prevented from playing to prepare for the matches with England and Italy, the South American side will be relying on the partnership between Edinson Cavani and Diego Forlan.

Despite being considered as the outsiders in the group, Costa Rica are likely to approach the match with positive intent as Jorge Pinto looks to utilise attacking duo Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell.

Pinto's side enjoyed an impressive qualifying campaign, finishing behind only the USA in the CONCACAF group which included a number of memorable displays.

Recent form

Uruguay: WLWDWW

Costa Rica: LLLLLD

Possible starting lineups

Uruguay: Muslera, Pereira M, Lugano, Godin, Caceres, Ramirez, Arevalo, Gargano, Rodriguez, Cavani, Forlan

Costa Rica: Navas, Mora, Gonzalez, Duarte, Umana, Diaz, Borges, J Cubero, Ruiz, Campbell, Urena

Sports Mole says: 4-1

Written by
Callum Mulvihill

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