Friday’s World Cup action begins in Recife where Italy take on Costa Rica, with both sides looking to maintain their 100% record in the competition so far.

A win for either side will assure them of top spot in the group going into Tuesday’s final round of games, while three points will guarantee immediate qualification should England draw with the Uruguay on Thursday.

Goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli either side of Daniel Sturridge’s strike wrapped up victory for the Azzuri in Manaus, and manager Cesare Prandelli may opt for the same side, especially if veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon fails a late fitness test.

Balotelli is favourite to get the first goal of the game at 5.0 (4/1) with Bet 365, with Marchisio generously priced at 13.0 (12/1) with the same firm.

Italy are odds on favourites for the win, with most firms offering a price of 1.53 (8/15) while Costa Rica are as highly priced as the 7.5 (13/2) on offer from Bet 365. The draw is widely available at 4.2 (16/5).

Costa Rica provided one of the shocks of the tournament so far – coming from behind to beat Uruguay in Fortaleza on Saturday.

Edinson Cavani had given the South Americans a first half lead, though goals from Oliver Duarte, Joel Campbell and Marco Urena turned the result on its head, and sent Jorge Luis Pinto’s side to the top of Group D.

With no fresh injury concerns, they too could be unchanged from the weeked though having scored a minute after coming on as a substitute last time out, Urena may be handed a starting berth.

Campbell is 10.5 (19/2) to open the scoring with 888 Sport ahead of Bryan Ruiz, who can be backed at 15.0 (14/1) with Paddy Power.

Italy ran out one-nil winners the last time these sides met – a friendly twenty years ago this month and the same result here can be backed at 7.0 (6/1) with Ladbrokes, while the Europeans are priced at 2.5 (6/4) with Betfred to win the game without conceding.