France v. Mexico
After Uruguay's emphatic 3-0 victory over South Africa, this game now puts added pressure on both teams as Group A heats up.
France, who struggled to create chances against Uruguay in their first game, will have to solve their attacking problems quickly. Being more direct with their movements into the final third will help, but a change of personnel wouldn't hurt either. Expect Florent Malouda (Chelsea) and Thierry Henry (Barcelona) to figure more prominently in Raymond Domenech's plans, likely at the expense of Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) and Sidney Govou (Lyon).
Mexico will also have to be more ruthless in front of the goal to have any success. They can create chances but finishing them off has proved to a challenge. Carlos Vela (Arsenal) was disappointing against South Africa and so was Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), who looks too slow for this level.
Caution: If Mexico push numbers forward without maintaining any semblance of balance, which they failed to do against South Africa in the second half, they will again concede goals on the counter attack - even against the sterile French team.
With both teams sharing similar possession styles, it should make the game aesthetically pleasing, especially if they can convert the good approach play into goals.
Physically the French are far superior, so it will be interesting to see how the Mexicans cope. In the end, it could be the significant factor.
Argentina v. South Korea
The two winners from Group B will meet in what should be an entertaining encounter. Argentina will need to raise their tempo against the South Koreans who are fast paced, extremely hard working and technical.
Against Nigeria, Argentina was good going forward but reasonably weak at the back. The South Koreans will try to exploit this, so except them to high-pressure the back four from the start.
Of course, the known X factor is Lionel Messi (Barcelona) who, while entertaining against Nigeria, was frustratingly unable to convert his self- made chances. It is just a matter of time before he corrects this wrinkle, so expect the South Koreans to pay close attention to him. In fact, they could do worse than assign Park Ji Sung to man-mark the tricky winger, as he did for Manchester United against AC Milan' s Andrea Pirlo in this year's Champions League. It was a significant factor in United winning the game.
A draw would be a satisfactory result for both teams but if Argentina does not step up their tempo another upset could be in the making.
Nigeria v. Greece
The two losers from Group B's opening games square off with Nigeria still encouraged by their close result against Argentina. The reality for Nigeria is that if they win this game they will still be in a position to quality with a good result in their final game against South Korea.
With Greece having to play Argentina in its third game, the prospects of them qualifying for the second round are a whole lot bleaker.
The Greeks have not evolved with Otto Rehhagel at the helm since they won the European Championships in 2004. They are defensive minded team who make themselves difficult to break down.
The problem is, when they do concede goals they find it difficult to react because their ability to get forward is limited. Their opening game against South Korea proved this point. It will be no different against Nigeria who will likely attack from the first minute.
Don't be surprised to see Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg) in the starting line-up for Nigeria as he is a quick, dynamic, and aggressive forward, who can create havoc. Not always the silkiest of players, he makes up for it through pure effort. It is exactly what the Nigerian team need in this all-important game. It's not that he can't score goals; they just tend to be spectacular, unorthodox and rather rare.