Winning Odds: Australia - Serbia
World Cup 2010 Preview: Australia - Serbia
Kick-Off: Wednesday, June 23, 19:30 BST
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa
Dim hopes of qualifying
Not many expected Australia to progress to the second round of the World Cup from Group D and the Socceroos haven't done much to dispel those notions. Currently placed bottom of the group with a solitary point from two matches, Pim Verbeek's side need to win their final game against Serbia and hope that results elsewhere go their way.
A win for Ghana against Germany would assure Australia of second round progress should they defeat Serbia, as then the Socceroos will have four points while Germany and Serbia will be stuck on three. However, for a side that conceded four times against Germany in their opening game of the competition and failed to win their second match, a win is something that looks out of reach.
Furthermore, with key players suspended in key positions, Australia will have their work cut out. However, there is quality in the Australian side and with the return of Tim Cahill to the line-up due to suspension, there will be no dearth of enthusiasm in the Aussie camp.
Win and go through
Unlike Australia, Serbia have their fate in their own hands. Currently placed third in the group with three points from two matches, all that Radomir Antic's side need to do to book their place in the second round is to win against Australia on Wednesday evening.
A win for Serbia will take them to six points and see them through whatever the result may be between Ghana and Australia. A draw will still be enough to see the White Eagles qualify for the second round provided Germany lose. A defeat will certainly knock the Serbians out irrespective of the result in the other game.
However, Serbia should be confident of progressing to the last 16 as they have improved. They lost their opening game to Ghana but staged a marvellous display against Germany to defeat them 1-0. Indeed, that win must have certainly boosted their confidence and morale and Antic's side will now be confident of making it through to the knockout stages from Group D.
TEAM NEWS
Australia
Both Craig Moore and Harry Kewell are suspended and Vince Grella is injured. However, Tim Cahill is available for the Wednesday evening match after sitting out the last game because of suspension. Michael Beauchamp is likely to replace Moore in central defence while Scott Chipperfield could slot in at left-back instead of David Carney.
Probable Line-up (4-5-1): Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Neill, Beauchamp, Chipperfield; Emerton, Culina, Holman, Valeri, Bresciano; Cahill
Serbia
Coach Radomir Antic has no suspension or injury worries ahead of the game against Australia. In fact, centre-back Aleksandar Lukovic will return from suspension and will replace Neven Subotic at the heart of the Serbia defence, although Subotic did have an excellent match against Ghana.
Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Lukovic, Kolarov; Krasic, Kuzmanovic, Stankovic, Jovanovic; Zigic, Lazovic
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lucas Neill (Australia)
The Socceroos centre-back was the best defender for Australia against Ghana in their last match as he made a number of blocks. Neill's experience and quality came into use against the Black Stars and, against a Serbian attack that can be potent, the Galatasaray defender will have to be on top of his game again. With Nicola Zigic hunting for a goal, Neill will be the one deployed to mark the giant striker out of the game.
Milos Krasic (Serbia)
The CSKA Moscow winger struggled in the Serbians' opening game of the World Cup but overshadowed every creative player on the pitch against Germany. Krasic was at the heart of every attacking move that Serbia crafted against the Germans and looked dangerous on the flanks. Australia, who shipped in four goals against Germany, will have to be wary of the 25-year-old.
PREDICTION
The Castrol World Cup match predictor gives Serbia a 43 per cent chance of winning and Australia just 27 per cent; the chances of a draw are put at 30 per cent. Indeed, Serbia do have the upperhand in this fixture.
However, Australia can be a tough, battling side and the Europeans shouldn't get complacent. Expect a closely contested game in which a single goal would be enough to settle the affairs.
Not many expected Australia to progress to the second round of the World Cup from Group D and the Socceroos haven't done much to dispel those notions. Currently placed bottom of the group with a solitary point from two matches, Pim Verbeek's side need to win their final game against Serbia and hope that results elsewhere go their way.
A win for Ghana against Germany would assure Australia of second round progress should they defeat Serbia, as then the Socceroos will have four points while Germany and Serbia will be stuck on three. However, for a side that conceded four times against Germany in their opening game of the competition and failed to win their second match, a win is something that looks out of reach.
Furthermore, with key players suspended in key positions, Australia will have their work cut out. However, there is quality in the Australian side and with the return of Tim Cahill to the line-up due to suspension, there will be no dearth of enthusiasm in the Aussie camp.
Win and go through
Unlike Australia, Serbia have their fate in their own hands. Currently placed third in the group with three points from two matches, all that Radomir Antic's side need to do to book their place in the second round is to win against Australia on Wednesday evening.
A win for Serbia will take them to six points and see them through whatever the result may be between Ghana and Australia. A draw will still be enough to see the White Eagles qualify for the second round provided Germany lose. A defeat will certainly knock the Serbians out irrespective of the result in the other game.
However, Serbia should be confident of progressing to the last 16 as they have improved. They lost their opening game to Ghana but staged a marvellous display against Germany to defeat them 1-0. Indeed, that win must have certainly boosted their confidence and morale and Antic's side will now be confident of making it through to the knockout stages from Group D.
FORM GUIDE
 Australia |  Serbia |
| Ghana 1-1 Australia | Germany 0-1 Serbia |
| Germany 4-0 Australia | Serbia 0-1 Ghana |
| Usa 3-1 Australia | Serbia 4-3 Cameroon |
| Australia 1-0 Denmark | Serbia 0-0 Poland |
| Australia 2-1 New Zealand | New Zealand 1-0 Serbia |
TEAM NEWS
Australia
Both Craig Moore and Harry Kewell are suspended and Vince Grella is injured. However, Tim Cahill is available for the Wednesday evening match after sitting out the last game because of suspension. Michael Beauchamp is likely to replace Moore in central defence while Scott Chipperfield could slot in at left-back instead of David Carney.Probable Line-up (4-5-1): Schwarzer, Wilkshire, Neill, Beauchamp, Chipperfield; Emerton, Culina, Holman, Valeri, Bresciano; Cahill
Serbia
Coach Radomir Antic has no suspension or injury worries ahead of the game against Australia. In fact, centre-back Aleksandar Lukovic will return from suspension and will replace Neven Subotic at the heart of the Serbia defence, although Subotic did have an excellent match against Ghana.Probable Line-up (4-4-2): Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Vidic, Lukovic, Kolarov; Krasic, Kuzmanovic, Stankovic, Jovanovic; Zigic, Lazovic
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lucas Neill (Australia)
The Socceroos centre-back was the best defender for Australia against Ghana in their last match as he made a number of blocks. Neill's experience and quality came into use against the Black Stars and, against a Serbian attack that can be potent, the Galatasaray defender will have to be on top of his game again. With Nicola Zigic hunting for a goal, Neill will be the one deployed to mark the giant striker out of the game.Milos Krasic (Serbia)
The CSKA Moscow winger struggled in the Serbians' opening game of the World Cup but overshadowed every creative player on the pitch against Germany. Krasic was at the heart of every attacking move that Serbia crafted against the Germans and looked dangerous on the flanks. Australia, who shipped in four goals against Germany, will have to be wary of the 25-year-old.PREDICTION
The Castrol World Cup match predictor gives Serbia a 43 per cent chance of winning and Australia just 27 per cent; the chances of a draw are put at 30 per cent. Indeed, Serbia do have the upperhand in this fixture.
However, Australia can be a tough, battling side and the Europeans shouldn't get complacent. Expect a closely contested game in which a single goal would be enough to settle the affairs.
Australia 0-1 Serbia
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