Czechia and South Africa both lost their 2026 World Cup openers so each squad will be desperate to bounce back when they collide in Group A.
Taking on hosts Mexico inside the Azteca always seemed like a tall order for the South Africans and they were outclassed in a 2-0 defeat.
Having two players sent off also hurt their chances for the rest of the tournament and manager Hugo Broos will need to rejig his team for this clash with the Czechs.
It looked Czechia would get their campaign off to a winning start when Wolves star Ladislav Krejci headed them in front against South Korea.
But they couldn't hold on to their lead and ended up without a point as the Koreans scored twice in an entertaining second half.
All hope is not yet lost for Miroslav Koubek's men but this match looks like a must-win ahead of a tough closing Group A game against the Mexicans.
How the bookies view it: Czechs to bounce back
South Africa's display was so poor in the tournament opener that it's not a big surprise to see them as 10/3 outsiders with Bet365 for this one.
Czechia are odds-on favourites at 3/4 and the draw, which probably suits neither side, is priced at 14/5.
Head to head: Long time no see
These nations have faced off just once before and that was in the Confederations Cup back in 1997. Armchair fans will be hoping for a repeat of that game as it ended in a 2-2 draw.
Players to watch: Soucek a big threat
Tomas Soucek is always a threat from midfield and only an offside flag stopped him from scoring against South Korea. The towering West Ham star is 10/3 with Bet365 for anytime scorer while the same firm price him at 11/8 for an effort on target.
Burnley's Lyle Foster was starved of service in South Africa's opener but should get more chances in this one. The striker is 2/1 to either score or assist.
If you're having a punt on a player, make sure you check out our guide to the top 2026 World Cup betting apps.
Probable line-ups
The South Africans are missing Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane after their red cards against Mexico. Manager Broos might make a few more changes after such a poor display.
The Czechs have no suspensions or fresh injury concerns but Koubek may also be tempted to freshen things up a bit.
Czechia: Kovar, Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci, Coufal, Cerv, Soucek, Zeleny, Hlosek, Sulc, Schick.
South Africa: Williams, Mudau, Sibisi, Okon, Modiba, Mokoena, Mbatha, Appollis, Mofokeng, Moremi, Foster.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both sides need to go for a win so this should be an open game. That makes over 2.5 goals appealing at 11/10 with Bet365 while BTTS is also decent at evens with the same firm.
Backing Czech stopper Krejci for two or more tackles paid off for me in their clash with South Korea and the same bet pays a decent 6/4 here.
The Czechs won five corners in their opening game while South Africa could only manage one. So the 10/11 on offer at Bet365 for Czechia -1 in the corner handicap looks worth a punt.
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