Honduras vs. Switzerland: 50-50 Challenge

Our expert bloggers will give their thoughts ahead of each game, so as Honduras take on Switzerland in Group E, Nick Rogers (Honduras) and Brian Homewood (Switzerland) are your guides.

What's at stake?

Nick Rogers: Honduras has a very outside chance of still qualifying. They need a huge favor from the French and to beat Switzerland by two or three goals. Switzerland need to win and hope France also does them a favor by winning by a couple of goals against Ecuador. The Hondurans, despite their two losses, feel that they can get something from this game after a spirited display against Ecuador, but it may not be enough to pass them to the next round though. How will Switzerland feel after being dismantled by France? Devastated, which Honduras should try and take advantage of. They faced each other in the final group game at the last World Cup, ending 0-0 with Noel Valladares getting FIFA Man of the Match.

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Brian Homewood: From Switzerland's point of view, they will qualify for the round of last 16 if they beat Honduras and Ecuador fail to beat France. Should Ecuador beat France, then the South Americans and the French would probably go through on goal difference (currently zero for Ecuador, plus-6 for France and minus-2 for Switzerland). A draw will be enough for Switzerland if France beat Ecuador. Should Honduras beat Switzerland, both teams will be eliminated unless France beat Ecuador, in which case Ecuador, Honduras and Switzerland will all be on three points and it would come down to goal difference, which would likely favour the South Americans.

X factor

NR: Roger Espinoza. Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld likes to play with high energy and crowd out the midfield, pushing his wing-backs up as high as possible. This could leave space for Honduras' wingers to exploit. Espinoza, the obvious starter on the left wing, can drive in crosses, pick out passes and wrestle with fullbacks for possession. He has the trickery to run past opponents and grab the odd goal. He's Honduras' main beacon of hope going forward.

BH: Granit Xhaka has so far been something of a disappointment for Switzerland. The Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder was fairly anonymous against both Ecuador and France, until he scored an 87th-minute consolation in the 5-2 defeat against the French. Xhaka's goal was arguably the best of the game as he met a chipped ball over the French defence first time, taking it in his stride and volleying into the net. It was a sublime example of what Xhaka is capable of on a good day and if the goal gives him the confidence he has been lacking, he could be the one to unlock the Honduran defence.

Fear factor

NR: Even though the young midfielder doesn't start every game for Bayern Munich, this attacking midfielder/winger is a match winner. He can play on either flank or in the centre and he is a born dribbler and has a powerful shot. He can go off the radar for periods in the match, but his speed enables him to cut opposition team's defenses in two at a moment's notice. Switzerland's stop and start passing styles of football suits Shaqiri perfectly.

BH: The Honduran attack is hardly on a par with the French but Carlo Costly's physical presence is likely to prove a handful for a makeshift and highly suspect Swiss central defence. First-choice central defender Steve von Bergen has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament after his injury against France, leaving coach Hitzfeld to choose from only Philippe Senderos, Johan Djourou and Fabian Schar, who all have suffered from poor form or injuries.

Key battle

NR: Switzerland's game is based on high energy and pressing, meaning Honduras will be without the ball for long periods. They mix slow passing sequences with fast ones, helping them suddenly ignite. It's usually up to Shaqiri to make those short bursts of speed around the box, meaning Figueroa will have to be alert to stop the darting runs and make sure he makes contact with the ball when he goes into tackle. Much of Honduras' attacks start in defense, with either Figueroa starting the passing through midfield or Muma Bernardez with long-range passing, meaning this could well be where the game is won or lost.

BH: Stephan Lichtsteiner vs. Espinoza. The Juventus full-back has not been at his marauding best in Switzerland's first two games, and they will need him to fire on all cylinders if they are going to break down the Honduran defence. Espinoza is the first line of defence on the Honduras left and will greatly blunt the Swiss threat if he can put a lid on Lichtsteiner's runs down the right flank.

Prediction

NR: Honduras 1-1 Switzerland. Lightning will strike twice. Honduras will have the advantage in terms of the climate, especially with the extreme humidity in the Amazon; not too dissimilar to Honduras' own tropical temperatures. This could well tire the Swiss meaning the game could open up in the later, giving Honduras space to run at their defense. Hitzfeld is a successful coach, very organized and methodical, which will make the Swiss very hard for Honduras to break down. I predict Switzerland to take an early lead, then tire throughout, and Honduras to score a late equalizer.

BH: A 2-2 draw. Switzerland and Honduras drew 0-0 in South Africa four years ago, a result that ended Switzerland's hopes of progressing. Switzerland's young players have not yet got into full flow and the sticky tropical heat of Manaus will clearly favour the Central Americans as it is not dissimilar to the climate in San Pedro Sula, where they play most of their home games. Given the conditions and a more attacking approach from the Swiss, mistakes are likely on both sides.