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After a mixed Day 5 involving the tournament's first draw (a goalless one at that) yesterday, today is the day to get the World Cup excitement back on track!
This is how Day 6 looks:
Group H - Belgium vs Algeria
Where - Estádio Mineiraõ, Belo Horizonte
When - Tuesday 17th June, 12pm EST / 5pm BST
... And enter the dark horses! Belgium take the stage in their first World Cup finals since 1986. The Red Devils have increasingly received backing from many pundits and fans alike as this year's surprise team of the competition. Belgium's FIFA ranking has increased dramatically in the past year or so, taking them from a lonely rank of 31 right to their current standing of 7 in world football.
Algeria are arguably the best national team in Africa. They produce consistent results when playing other African counterparts but do struggle against the European countries as the 2010 World Cup proved. The Algerians do tend to take a scalp or two on their way and will be hoping for a solid result against the Belgians. Algeria are also the only team in this year's World Cup where all 23 players play for 23 different clubs.
Team news -
Belgium: (Possible 4-2-3-1 formation) Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Buyten, Vertonghen, Witsel, Fellaini, Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku.
Kevin Mirallas and Stephan Defour expected to miss out on a place in the starting eleven.
Algeria: (Possible 4-3-2-1 formation) Zemmampouche, Mandi, Cadamuro, Bougherra, Ghoulam, Lacen, Bentaleb, Täider, Soudani, Feghouli, Slimani.
Tottenham youngster Bentaleb makes the starting eleven and is expected to play off the wing.
Everton interests - Kevin Mirallas isn't expected to make the starting team however I'm sure he will be keen to leave an impact on the game from the bench. Kev may be surprised to miss out to a place in the eleven as Kevin De Bruyne makes the team after only appearing 3 times for Chelsea this season.
Group A - Brazil vs Mexico
Where - Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza
When - Tuesday June 17th, 3pm EST / 8pm BST
The hosts are in action once again against a determined Mexico side. The Brazilians left a few questions unanswered in the first half in their last game against Croatia. Brazil weren't spared much praise in their national press as their lacklustre performance took the headlines, so expect the host to come out of the traps quick.
El Tri on the other hand maybe deserved a goal or two more in their opening game against Cameroon. The Mexicans were held back by adverse weather conditions and a poor officiating performance. The team in green may just have a bit more to show with normal weather conditions this evening.
Team news -
Brazil: (Possible 4-2-3-1 formation) Cesar, Alves; Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Marcelo, Paulinho, Luis Gustavo, Ramires, Oscar, Neymar, Fred.
The only change should be Hulk, who is expected to miss out with an injury.
Mexico: (Possible 5-2-3 formation) Ochoa, Layun, Moreno, Marquez, Rodriguez, Aquilar, Guardado, J.Vazquez, Herrara, Dos Santos, Peraita.
Same team that beat Cameroon 1-0.
Everton Interests - Not many interests in this one for Everton, only a transfer possibility in Javier Hernandez who starts from the bench for Mexico.
Group H - Russia vs Korea
Where - Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá.
When - Tuesday June 17th, 6pm EST / 11pm BST
Enter the hosts of the next World Cup - Russia could well be a team that go under the radar in this year's tournament. Their squad is strong and have experience right across the pitch, they certainly shouldn't find this evening's opponents difficult to overcome in what looks to be a very open group. Korea Republic are a team that don't get much chat in conversations at your local pub, but they are a team like most that will be keen to take a surprise result back with them.
Team news -
Russia: (possible 4-2-3-1 formation) Akinveev, Anyukov, Ignashevich, Berezutskiy, Kombarov, Denisov, Shirkov, Samedov, Zhirkov, Dzagoev, Kerzhakov.
Korea republic: (possible 4-2-3-1 formation) Jung Sung-Ryong, Lee Yong, Hong Jeong-ho, Kim Young-Gwon, Kim Chang-soo, Park Jong-woo, Ki Sung-Yeung, Lee Chung-Yong, Koo Ja-Cheol, Son Heung-Min, Park Chu-Young.
Everton Interests - Not much for Blues to talk about in this one, so sit back and enjoy the game!