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Seven match-days of the 2014 World Cup are in the books and yesterday three teams were already eliminated from the competition. And of the 69 players from those teams that will be making their way home after their next game, seven are contracted to FC Barcelona. That means only six Barcelona players remain in contention for the prestigious trophy. But after yesterday's excitement today is going to be a easy day as far as Barça is concerned as no Barcelona player is going to be in action.
Colombia vs Ivory Coast, Kickoff: 6pm CET
First up on the docket is a match-up between the leading teams in group C. In their first matches of the tournament both sides recorded victories, but Colombia did their part in emphatic fashion, winning by three goals while keeping a clean sheet. Ivory Coast, on the other hand, won by the slimmest of margins, coming back from a goal down to record the victory after scoring two goals in a span of three minutes midway through the second half. With all their firepower Colombia are considered relatively comfortable favorites in this one, but don't count Ivory Coast out.
Uruguay vs England, Kickoff: 9pm CET
Both teams in this one desperately need a win as both lost their openers. England suffered the defeat at the hands of Italy in a largely entertaining match, while Uruguay's shocking loss to Costa Rica surprised, well, everybody. Both sides will be looking to avoid consecutive defeats as not picking up a point could see the team lose any chance of advancing to the knockout stages as early as tomorrow. A draw would keep both teams in contention. England will start the game as heavy favorites with odds of winning very similar to those of Colombia beating Ivory Coast in the earlier match.
Japan vs Greece, Kickoff: 0am CET
The last match of the day will also feature teams that lost their first games of the World Cup and will be looking to close the gap to Colombia and the Ivory Coast. At this point Japan are in a better position than Greece because of the goal differential and by most accounts the Asian representative is the favorite to record three points. Greece haven't impressed many since their shocking 2004 European Championship win and that isn't expected to change against Japan. This Japan team has in my opinion too much star-power to be really threatened by Greece, but in a world where Australia can come this close to stunning Netherlands anything can happen
