How Serbia could line up against Cameroon

Having failed to make the knockout phase in any of three previous finals appearances since gaining independence, the Eagles will surely go all-out for maximum points against the Africa Nations Cup semi-finalists, and could therefore switch to two men in attack.

Following his side's first-day loss, coach Dragan Stojkovic stated that Aleksandar Mitrovic and Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic were both short of full fitness, but having made a second-half cameo on Thursday the latter may now join the former up front at Al-Janoub Stadium; Fiorentina's Luka Jovic remains an option from the bench.

Like his teammate at club level Vlahovic, left-winger Filip Kostic was not ready to start against Brazil, and as his presence remains a doubt, Filip Mladenovic or Danko Lazovic are the most likely occupants of that flank.

Captain and playmaker Dusan Tadic is set to feature in an advanced role, while Sergej Milinkovic-Savic may drop deeper to accommodate any shift to a two-man attack. The latter, whose younger brother Vanja Milinkovic-Savic starts in goal, is among Europe's top assist providers since the start of 2022.

It remains to be seen whether Stojkovic will persist with the three-at-the-back system most recently used, and it is even possible a flat back four could be employed against - relative to Brazil and final Group G opponents Switzerland - weaker opposition.

Either way, in midfield, Sasa Lukic faces strong competition from Ivan Ilic to partner Nemanja Gudelj again - incidentally, both Lukic and Gudelj were booked last time out and are now walking a tightrope in terms of suspension.

Serbia possible starting lineup: V. Milinkovic-Savic; Milenkovic, Veljkovic, Pavlovic; Zivkovic, Gudelj, S. Milinkovic-Savic, Mladenovic; Tadic; Vlahovic, Mitrovic