South Korea v Algeria: World Cup 2014 match preview

A look ahead to the Group H clash in Porto Alegre

South Korea's Ki Sung-Yeung in action against Russia (Getty Images)

South Korea almost left Cuiaba with the win against Fabio Capello’s Russia but a goal by Aleksandr Kerzhakov took that away from the Asian nation. Hong Myung-Bo’s side are set to face Algeria knowing that a win would put them in a qualification spot ahead of their final group stage match against Belgium.

LIVE: Follow the latest news from South Korea v Algeria

The former South Korea captain is not expected to make any substantial changes at the starting line-up and is fortunate enough to have no injury concerns. However, scorer Lee Keun-Ho could be hoping for a start after scoring his team’s first goal last week, even though the ball slipped from Igor Akinfeev’s hands.

Algeria posed an impressive opposition against group favourites Belgium and albeit the loss they did hold their ground well. Manager Vahid Halilhodzic is expected to trust the same players as last week as many positives occurred on defence and midfield and much more could come out against South Korea. However, the Desert Warriors should be wary of open spaces on the field because that is how Belgium turned the match around on the first fixture.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 8pm

PAST MEETING:

South Korea 2 Algeria 0, International Friendly, December 1985

STATS:

Algeria are the only Arab nation in the 2014 World Cup

Sofiane Feghouli’s goal last week ended Algeria’s negative run of 506 minutes without a World Cup goal.

Last week was the first time in four World Cup finals that South Korea have not started with a win.

However, the South Koreans have only tasted victory in two of their last 11 World Cup matches.

ODDS:

South Korea to win: 11.8

Algeria to win: 23.10

Draw: 23.10

TV: Live on ITV at 8pm