15.06. (Sat) 21:00 Brazil - Japan

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

BRAZIL
Julio Cesar
Alves, David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Marcelo
Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo
Hulk, Oscar, Neymar
Fred

JAPAN
Kawashima
Uchida, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo
Endo, Hasebe
Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa
Maeda

It has been an underwhelming start to Luiz Felipe Scolari's second spell in charge of Brazil, but there are suggestions that the Selecao may finally have turned a corner.

Brazil came under fire for their leaky defence and inability to see off matches - as shown by their run of only one win in the former Chelsea coach's six games since his return.

However, a recent 3-0 victory over France has provided the perfect backdrop to Saturday's 2013 Confederations Cup opener, which will be hosted against Asian Cup champions Japan.

Thus, with Brazil firing on all cylinders against les Bleus on Sunday, expect an unchanged XI despite minor doubts about Neymar's fitness following knee complaints.

Meanwhile for their opponents Japan, who recently edged past Iraq to end a run of three matches without a win, they will line up with all their big guns - including Keisuke Honda and Yuto Nagatomo.

The pair had been missing from Samurai Blue contention, but they have successfully overcome knocks to represent their country this weekend.

DID YOU KNOW?
This will be Brazil's sixth consecutive appearance at the Confederations Cup.
The Selecao have won both of the last two editions in 2005 and 2009 respectively, as well as the 1997 competition.
Brazil gained automatic qualification to the tournament via their status as host nation.
This is Japan's fourth appearance at the World Cup dress rehearsal.
The furthest they have gone in the tournament is a runners-up finish in 2001.
Japan secured their place in the Confederations Cup over two years ago thanks to an Asian Cup triumph in 2011.

PREDICTION
The pressure will be on Brazil to make their mark on the tournament as hosts and on the back of their impressive win against France, expect them to start their Confederations Cup campaign with a bang.

Editor's Prediction
Brazil 3-1 Japan

15.06. (Sat) 20:30 Italy U21 - Netherlands U21

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

ITALY U21
Bardi
Donati, Bianchetti, Caldirola, Regini
Saponara, Florenzi, Verratti, Sansone
Gabbiadini, Destro

NETHERLANDS U21
Zoet
Van Rhijn, Martins Indi, De Vrij, Blind
Strootman, Fer, Van Ginkel
Wijnaldum, De Jong, John

Italy ended their group campaign with a 1-1 draw against Norway, but it was rather an opportunity to test fringe players after they had already secured qualification in their first two matches.

Nonetheless, coach Devis Mangia will not be able to call back Lorenzo Insigne into the side against Netherlands, although the ankle-injury victim could make an appearance from the substitutes' bench.

In his absence will be Nicola Sansone, fresh off the back of an impressive performance midweek, while Empoli's Vasco Regini is expected to edge out first-choice left-back Cristiano Biraghi.

Meanwhile for Netherlands, defender Bram Nuytinck has been ruled out for the rest of the European U21 Championship following the recurrence of an injury in his left knee.

The knock only rubbed more salt in the wounds of a 3-0 defeat to Spain, but up to 10 changes will be made by boss Cor Pot, with Kevin Strootman and Stefan De Vrij notably passing fitness tests to feature.

DID YOU KNOW?
Italy are the most successful country in the European U21 Championship, having won the competition six times.
They have also featured in the final a record 17 times, and are on course to do so again this year - providing they beat Netherlands.
The Azzurrini are unbeaten in their last five matches; they have also lost just three times since November 2009.
Netherlands, meanwhile, are one of the new superpowers at U21 level - their two successes in the tournament came in 2006 and 2007.
However, their run of seven straight victories was ended on Tuesday when they were stunned 3-0 by Spain to finish second in Group B.
Leroy Fer will equal Arnold Bruggink's record as the Netherlands' most-capped player at U21 level, with 31 appearances, if he features against Italy.
The first and last time these two sides met was back in May 2006, when a lone Daniel De Ridder goal was enough to tilt the scales in Netherlands' favour.
The winners will face that of Spain-Norway in the final on June 18 at Jerusalem's Teddy Stadium.

PREDICTION
The Dutch may possess the better team on paper, but it has been Italy's team ethic that has come to the fore during these championships. Expect a closely-fought contest between these two European rivals, but it should be the Azzurrini who ultimately progress to the final.

Editor's Prediction
Italy U-21 2-1 Netherlands U-21

15.06. (Sat) 17:30 Spain U21 - Norway U21

PROBABLE LINE-UPS

SPAIN U21
Gea
Montoya • Bartra • Martínez • Moreno
Alcântara • Illarramendi • Muniain
Tello • Isco
Morata

NORWAY U21
Håskjold
Elabdellaoui • Rogne • Berge • Strandberg
Singh • Johansen • Eikrem
Berget • Pedersen • Nielsen

Spain go into their European Under-21 Championship semi final against Norway on Saturday as firm favourites to reach the final for the second successive tournament.

Julen Lopetegui’s side are currently on a staggering 24-match unbeaten run at this level and the 2011 champions won all three of their group stage encounters without conceding a single goal.

Malaga midfielder Ignacio Camacho is the only injury doubt for la Roja after limping off against the Netherlands with a sprained ankle but is expected to recover in time for the semi-final showdown.

Group A runners up Norway are the tournament’s surprise package having booked their place in the final four at the expense of England and hosts Israel.

Like their opponents, the Scandinavians came through the group stages unbeaten and Tor Ole Skullerud has a fully fit squad to choose from after making nine changes for their 1-1 draw with Italy in Tel Aviv.

DID YOU KNOW?
Spain are looking to retain the championship having won the 2011 tournament in Denmark.
La Roja have won the Under-21 Championships three times in their history – only Italy (5) have won it on more occasions.
Alvaro Morata (pictured, right) is the tournaments top scorer with three goals, having netted in every group match.
Norway have never reached a final at any age group in Uefa competitions.

Their best performance at Under-21 level was a semi final appearance in 1998 – where they lost to Spain.
Harmeet Singh is the most experienced Under-21 player at this year’s tournament, winning 37 caps for Norway at this level.

PREDICTION
Norway have shown a lot of heart with their performances so far - fighting back with ten-men to snatch a draw with Israel and coming seconds away from a memorable victory against Italy - but it will take more than a bit of team spirit to derail Spain's route to the final. The holders have yet to concede a goal and that probably won't change in a comfortable victory in Netanya for Lopetegui's side.

Editor's Prediction
Spain U-21 3-0 Norway U-21