This is a must-win fixture for both countries. The Czech Republic showed more in their opening defeat to South Korea and will look to use their set-piece prowess to good effect against Bafana Bafana, who rarely looked like landing a glove on Mexico.
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Predicted Line-ups
Czech Republic (3-4-2-1) M. Kovář; V. Coufal, R. Hranáč, J. Zelený; J. Stanišić, T. Souček, L. Krejčí; P. Šulc, L. Provod; P. Schick
South Africa (5-3-2) R. Williams; K. Mudau, I. Okon, M. Mbokazi, A. Modiba; T. Mokoena, J. Adams; T. Moremi, R. Mofokeng, O. Appollis; L. Foster
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Czech Republic vs South Africa Match Preview
By Jack Ogalbe
Defeat in their opening Group A matches has left the World Cup dreams of the Czech Republic and South Africa hanging by a thread.
Playing in the first game of the tournament against co-hosts Mexico, South Africa were their own worst enemy at the Estadio Azteca. Bafana Bafana were caught cold while playing out from the back for Mexico's first goal after only nine minutes through Julian Quinones.
Their marking was also slack for Raul Jimenez's second-half header and they will have to do without Sphephelo Sithole and Themba Zwane on Thursday in Atlanta after both were sent off in the 2-0 defeat. The Czechs made their height advantage count when Ladislav Krejci's header put them 1-0 up after 59 minutes against South Korea. However, they were undone by the Taeguk Warriors' slick build-up play that led to goals from Hwang In-Beon and Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
They also had a Tomas Soucek header ruled out for offside and were thwarted by an outstanding late save by Kim Seung-Gyu. Miroslav Koubek's side played well in Guadalajara but had to accept a 2-1 defeat.
Both now come down from altitude in Mexico to play in the USA, and while three points could be enough to progress from Group A and into the last 32 as a best third-placed finisher, another defeat could be curtains for their ambitions. How South Africa line up is an intriguing talking point ahead of the match. They qualified playing a fluid 4-2-3-1, yet Hugo Broos switched to a 5-3-2 against Mexico and his players struggled.
That shape would allow South Africa to match the Czechs' preferred 3-4-2-1, but if Bafana Bafana do decide to go toe to toe with their central European opponents, they could come off second best. The Czech Republic have recent experience of overcoming adversity, having had to beat both Ireland and Denmark in penalty shootouts to navigate the playoffs.
They like to be direct and their goal against South Korea was the latest example of them using a ball in the box to punish a rival. This time it was Vladimir Coufal's long throw that found captain Krejci, whose header continued a running theme of set-piece success after all four of their goals in the playoffs came from such situations.
South Africa are physically imposing, but that masks their preference for playing good football and they did not look confident defending balls into the box against Mexico. Krejci scored in both playoff games, and while more graceful than some of his colleagues, the skipper has a fantastic leap and seems to glide into space when attacking the ball.
Getting quicker and better quality service to star striker Patrik Schick is one area the Czechs can certainly improve. Schick is the only player from his country to score 100 goals in Europe's top five leagues and he may get more chances against South Africa.
The Czech Republic had just 39 per cent of the ball against South Korea but may enjoy a greater share of possession against Bafana Bafana. Set-pieces remain their strength, though, and captain Krejci is still underrated in the markets to find the net.
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