Czechia and South Africa meet on Thursday in the first match of the FIFA World Cup Round 2 in Georgia as both teams search for their first point of the campaign.
Czechia vs South Africa – Match preview and team news
- Date: Thursday, 18th June.
- Kick-off: 5pm BST.
- Venue: Atlanta Stadium, Georgia.
Czechia team news
Czechia heads into this second group match in excellent physical shape. Manager Miroslav Koubek enjoys a fully fit squad with zero injuries or suspensions following their narrow 2-1 defeat against South Korea.
This clean bill of health allows the team to focus entirely on tactical adjustments. Czechia is expected to stick to its signature direct, highly physical style of play.
They will look to dominate the flanks and target their tall forwards with dangerous aerial crosses and long throw-ins. While Koubek generally prefers line-up stability, he might tweak his attack to spark more goals.
Hoffenheim forward Adam Hlozek is heavily tipped to join the starting eleven, likely replacing Pavel Sulc to partner alongside star striker Patrik Schick in attack.
South Africa team news
South Africa faces major selection headaches ahead of their crucial World Cup clash.
Manager Hugo Broos must replace key midfielders Sphephelo “Yaya” Sithole and Themba Zwane, who are both suspended after receiving red cards during Bafana Bafana’s chaotic 2-0 opening-match loss to co-hosts Mexico.
The loss of these two regular starters forces a massive reshuffle. Broos is expected to abandon his defensive five-back system and switch to an aggressive 4-3-3 formation instead.
Thalente Mbatha is tipped to anchor the center of the pitch. Exciting young wingers Oswin Appollis and Relebohile Mofokeng are widely projected to enter the starting lineup to provide much-needed creative spark.
On a positive note, left-back Aubrey Modiba has fully recovered from a minor knock sustained in the opener and is cleared to play.
Form
Czechia
Czechia enters this match displaying reliable form despite a recent setback. They clinched their dramatic World Cup ticket via penalty-shootout wins over Ireland and Denmark during the European play-offs.
Miroslav Koubek’s men then built strong momentum by securing consecutive friendly victories, defeating Kosovo 2-1 and dominating Guatemala 3-1. Although their winning streak ended with a narrow 2-1 loss to South Korea in the Group A opener, Czechia’s attack remains dangerous and highly physical.
South Africa
South Africa is searching for consistency after a rocky run of fixtures. During their spring warm-up friendlies, Bafana Bafana struggled to find wins, recording an identical 1-1 draw and a 2-1 loss against Panama.
They followed those matches with another scoreless stalemate against Nicaragua and a 1-1 draw with Jamaica. Their struggles peaked during a tense 2-0 opening-match defeat to Mexico, leaving them desperate for their first victory in Group A.
Predicted lineups
Czechia: Kovar; Hranac, Chaloupek,Krejci; Coufal, Soucek, Sojka, Zeleny; Hlozek, Provod; Schick
South Africa: Williams; Mudau, Mbokazi, Okon, Modiba; Adams, Mbatha; Appollis, Mokoena, Moremi; Mofokeng
How to watch Czechia vs South Africa?
You can watch the Czechia vs. South Africa World Cup match live and completely for free on BBC One in the UK.
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