Group H
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit
Kick-off: 12:30 BST
Honduras’ World Cup preparations have been undermined by injury concerns an dpoor form as they look forward to facing Chile in Nelspruit.
They have injury doubts over Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios and Inter striker David Suazo and have come into the competition on the back of a wretched run of form.
Reinaldo Rueda’s side have failed to win since beating the USA 3-1 in January, losing to Turkey and Venezuela while getting beaten 3-0 by Romania in their final warm-up game.
Fitness doubts over Palacios and Suazo have hardly helped the mood in the Homduran camp, and Rueda has been keen not to rush the pair duo back too soon.
“We have been taking stock of the situation and the results will be ready [on Tuesday afternoon]. Julio is depressed because of this situation and we will see how he copes with this pain. Doctors will say what will happen now,” said the coach.
“Of course this will make a difference, we have been working well with Julio. We will have to wait for the answer we get and then make any necessary adjustments over the coming hours.”
Chile’s form has been much more encouraging as they have won their last three friendlies against Northern Ireland, Israel and New Zealand.
Led by Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa, they enjoyed much success with an attacking approach in qualifying, finishing as runners-up to Brazil in the South American group.
Eight years after he took his Argentina to the World Cup finals, Bielsa says he is older, grumpier and in worse health.
“I simply feel older,” Bielsa said on Tuesday when asked how his experience of the 2002 and 2010 World Cups compared. “Time passes, eight years, and that tends to worsen your character and your health. I’m certainly worse than I was.
“But eight years have passed and the experiences aren’t comparable.”
Bielsa has been handed a fitness boost over talisman Humberto Suazo.
The Chilean striker picked up a hamstring injury against Israel but has trained this week and despite not being match fit, looks set to play some part against Honduras.
Victory would set either side up for a tussle with Switzerland for second place in Group H, with European champions Spain expected to progress as group winners.
Teams:
Honduras (probable): Valladares, Sabillon, Chavez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Turcios, Palacios, Guevara, Julio Leon; Pavon, Suazo
Chile (probable):Bravo, Vidal, Jara, Ponce; Millar, Carmona, Medel; Mati Fernandez; Beausejour, Paredes, Sanchez.
