Road to Recovery

Netherlands vs. Japan

Injury front: Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk is expected to stick with the same line-up that faced Denmark. Influential winger Arjen Robben trained this week as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury but likely won't see action against Japan. 

It's a wise move, but at the same time the Dutch, who were far from their best in a 2-0 win over Denmark, could benefit from his creativity. 

Suspension watch: Midfielder Nigel de Jong and winger Robin van Persie both earned yellow cards in the Netherlands' previous match. If either one receives another against Japan, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.  

Midfielder Yuki Abe is in a similar predicament for Japan.

The loss of de Jong and van Persie would be major losses for the Dutch. De Jong was a defensive bulwark in the Netherlands' 2-0 win against Denmark. His solid clean-up play allows the team's more creative midfielders to focus on their job. With the Netherlands short on outright strikers, they need van Persie in the line-up, as they don't have another attacker that matches his quality. 

Ghana vs. Australia 

Injury front: Defensive midfielder Vince Grella has been ruled out for Australia with a knee injury. 

With midfielder Tim Cahill also missing through suspension, Grella's injury is a big blow to a team needing veteran leadership, that is also trying to avoid defeat to stay alive in the competition.

Ghana defender and team captain John Mensah is in doubt after limping off the field during a recent practice session because of a chronic hamstring injury. 

Mensah is a key figure for his country, quarterbacking the defence and providing leadership and experience on the field. If he can't play, Ghana will be weaker at the back for it. 

Suspension watch: Midfielder Tim Cahill earned a red card in Australia's previous match, earning an automatic suspension for this encounter. Also, defenders Lucas Neill and Craig Moore, and midfielder Carl Valeri were cautioned against Serbia, which means they will be ruled out for Australia's final game of the first round if they pick up a yellow card against Ghana. 

Forward Prince Tagoe and defender Isaac Vorsah will miss Ghana's next game if he earns a yellow card against Australia. 

Australia will struggle without Cahill, as he anchors the midfield and is a dangerous scoring threat on set pieces and corner kicks. 

Cameroon vs. Denmark 

Injury front: Danish forwards Jon Dahl Tomasson (thigh) and Mikkel Beckmann (toe) are questionable. With the Danes still looking for their first goal of the tournament, the continued absence of Tomasson does their World Cup hopes no good. 

Suspension watch: Defender Nicolas Nkoulou earned a yellow card in Cameroon's previous match. If he receives another against Denmark, he will be suspended for his country's final game of the group stage.  Defender Simon Kjaer is in a similar predicament for Denmark. 

Kjaer is one of the brightest defensive prospects in the game today. An immaculate tackler who reads the game like a veteran, Kjaer provides the Danes with stability at the back. Denmark can't afford to lose him for their final group-stage game.