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Volker Finke
Cameroon coach Volker Finke is in a dilemma as to who will lead his attack in the absence of Samuel Eto'o. Getty Images

Cameroon take on Croatia for their second fixture in Group A of the 2014 Fifa World Cup at the Arena Amazonia, Manaus, on Wednesday.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 11pm BST. Live coverage will be on ITV 1 and UTV. Radio commentary of the game will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Overview

Cameroon come into their second game having suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Mexico on Friday; courtesy of Oribe Peralta's goal in the 61<sup>st minute. Only a victory will now do for Volker Finke's side if they want to stand a chance of progressing into the knockout stages.

The African side will be without their influential skipper Samuel Eto'o, who is ruled out of this crucial clash due to a knee injury.

Meanwhile, Croatia too were beaten, 3-1, in the opening fixture of this year's tournament against Brazil on Thursday. The European side took a shock lead when Marcelo turned the ball into his own net from Ivica Olic's cross from the left wing.

However, Barcelona star Neymar responded with a long-range effort to level the matters. The second half gave rise to controversy as the referee, Yuichi Nishimura, awarded a penalty to the hosts after Fred was adjudged to have been fouled by Dejan Lovren.

Stipe Pletikosa could not prevent Neymar from putting Luiz Felipe Scolari's side into the lead. Chelsea playmaker Oscar then wrapped all three points for Brazil with their third goal late in the game.

It is now a must win game for Niko Kovac's men as well if they want to make it into the next stage. The European side will be looking to take advantage of Eto'o's absence and look to exploit the Cameroonian defence in an attempt to improve their goal difference, ahead of their final fixture against Mexico.

Amid the return of Mario Mandzukic, who was suspended for the first game, they have slight fitness concerns about Luka Modric. The Real Madrid midfielder suffered a foot injury against Brazil but is expected to have recovered on time for this clash.

What Managers Say

Nikica Jelavic
Hull City striker Nikica Jelavic might have to settle for a role on the bench as Mario Mandzukic is eligible to face Cameroon. Getty Images

Volker Finke (Cameroon): "We must be ready to face the challenge. They (Croatia) have great players plying their trade in Spain and Germany and we must remain very cautious, even if we both lost our first game. But in football, the worst thing you can do is call everything into question. That doesn't work. You can't succeed like that. It doesn't help to talk any more, we must just win to remain in the competition. When you lose the first match, you have to pick up maximum points in the second to remain in the hunt."

Niko Kovac (Croatia): "Against Cameroon it will be a completely different game. It was difficult to attack Brazil - we had to look through counterattacks - but against Cameroon we will have greater ball possession and seek dominance. The first goal will be an advantage - it would be good to go in to half-time with a positive result. We know all about Cameroon, we analysed them like Brazil and will set our tactics accordingly. Our goal is to take the three points, and this is a game with growing importance."

Team Form

Cameroon

· Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W D L W

· Last Result: Mexico 1-0 Cameroon

Croatia

· Last Five (all competitions, most recent first): L W W D W

· Last Result: Brazil 3-1 Croatia

Team News

Cameroon

· Injured: Samuel Eto'o (knee)

· Doubtful: N/A

· Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Itandje; Djeugoue, Nkoulou, Chedjou, Assou-Ekotto; Mbia, Song, Makoun; Moukandjo, Webo, Choupo-Moting

Croatia

· Injured: N/A

· Doubtful: Luka Modric (foot)

· Suspended: N/A

Probable Lineup: Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko; Modric, Kovacic, Rakitic; Perisic, Mandzukic, Olic