Serbia & Montenegro v Netherlands: In what is widely seen as the toughest of all the first-round groups, Marco van Basten's young Dutch side badly need to make a good start against the more experienced Serbs. Since taking over from Dick Advocaat in the wake of the Netherlands' relatively disappointing Euro 2004 campaign, van Basten has been bold and brave, sweeping out the broom cupboard to make way for younger talent.
Phillip Cocu, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar are the only survivors from the Dutch side which went out of the France '98 World Cup finals, beaten in a dramatic semi-final penalty shootout by Brazil. Since then, of course, The Netherlands missed out on the last World Cup, courtesy of Ireland.
With such as midfielders Rafael van der Vart and Robin van Persie, winger Arjen Robben and striker Ruud van Nistelrooy to add their experience and class of the van der Sar, Von Bronckhurst, Cocu trio, the Dutch would appear to have the nucleus of a very exciting team.
It is worth recalling too they came out of a very tough qualifying group in which they saw off the Czech Republic and Romania. Furthermore, touching wood, preparations thus far appear pleasantly free of the internal squabbling that, in the past, has so often ruined their performances.
In contrast, Serbia's preparations have been marred by the controversial call-up and subsequent dismissal of Dusan Petkovic, son of coach Ilija Petkovic.
When striker Mirko Vucinic was injured last week, Petkovic senior called up his son only to back down in the face of media allegations of nepotism.
The upshot of the whole incident is that Serbia and Montenegro are the only team at these finals with 22 rather than 23 players in the squad since Fifa did not allow Serbia to call up a second replacement.
Impressive winners of their qualifying group ahead of Spain, with a terrific defence which conceded only one goal, the Serbs look powerful and enterprising in midfield where Dejan Stankovic is likely to do well. In contrast, a front line of Mateja Kezman and Savo Milosevic looks slightly pedestrian at this level.
