Ghana Vs Servia preview
At one stage seen as many pundits' tip to be dark horses at this World Cup, the loss of talismanic figure Michael Essien to injury means they are now considered outsiders. Stephen Appiah will now find his role in the side increasingly important but, as in 2006, the forward line looks paper thin.
With Germany also in the group, it is expected to be a three-way fight for second and defeat in the opening game could almost end someone's World Cup campaign.
Serbia, who suffered in the Group of Death with Argentina, Ivory Coast and Netherlands four years ago when competing as Serbia & Montenegro, have been seen as a defensive team in the past but now have much more in their locker and scored 22 goals in qualifying.
Serbia player in focus: Milos Krasic. The attacking force in the Serbia side, Krasic's reputation was enhanced greatly during CSKA Moscow's Champions League campaign in the past season. That form, as he scored four goals in Europe's premier club competition, has led to interest from Juventus and he is set to sign for the Serie A giants after the tournament. He is a speedy and elusive right-winger or attacking midfielder.
Ghana player in focus: Kevin Prince-Boateng. This German-born midfielder finds himself in the World Cup finals having only made his international debut for Ghana on June 5. An experienced Germany youth international, where he was once named Young Player of the Year, Boateng is a figure of hate in Germany for his defection which was not helped after his tackle on Michael Ballack in the FA Cup final ruled Germany's skipper out of the finals. Boateng reignited his career at Portsmouth last term after a move to Tottenham proved to be a disaster and will be vital in the opposition's half.
Key battle: Nemanja Vidic v Richard Kingson. Set pieces are crucial in modern football, and Serbia have a band of towering defenders who join the attack to form a fearsome weapon which leads to most of the country's goals. For Ghana, on the other hand, they have a goalkeeper in Richard Kingson who has come in for much criticism. Despite having played only five games in three seasons with Birmingham and Wigan he remains Ghana's first choice stopper. The likes of Vidic will look to take advantage of his uncertainty on crosses.
Trivia: Ghana's Sulley Muntari's former boss at Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, sparked a wave of protest from the Muslim world when he complained that Muntari's fasting for Ramadan had left him ill-prepared for match days.
Stats: Only Burkina Faso had a worse shots-to-goals record than Ghana at the African Nations Cup earlier this year.
Odds: Serbia (2.10), the draw (3.25), Ghana (3.75) with Bet365. There could be plenty of goals in this game, a punt on the 2-2 draw, at 19.00, could be a wise investment.
Prediction: The loss of Essien is every bit as damaging as you might expect. A confident Serbia side can claim all three points.