Serbia and Costa Rica will contest an intriguing Group E World Cup clash on Sunday (16:00 kick-off).

Brazil are favourites to progress from a quartet also featuring Switzerland, with Serbia and Costa Rica’s duel being a potential six-pointer.

Defensive and attacking styles will come to the fore at the Samara Stadium, with 2014 World Cup quarter-finalists Costa Rica likely to be stubborn and resolute as they attempt to stem Serbia’s forward forays.

Here, we take a closer look at the key battles on show.

TOP MARKSMEN

Aleksandar Mitrovic v Marco Urena

Aleksandar Mitrovic has all the tools to be a star at this World Cup.

Coming off the back of a fine second-half of the season on loan at Fulham, in which he plundered 12 goals in 17 Championship matches to help the Cottagers seal their return to the top-flight, the powerhouse 23-year-old very much means business.

There is speculation over whether the former Partizan and Anderlecht star will return to Tyneside or if Fulham can rustle up a £20m (Dh97m) fee for his services.

Mitrovic has 16 goals in 37 appearances for his country – five of them coming this year – and you would expect him to add to that tally.

For Costa Rica, Urena, who plies his trade with Los Angeles FC, is their main goal hope though he will have to lead the line single-handedly in a defensive 4-5-1 set-up.

The 28-year-old has a sluggish goalscoring record domestically but has netted 15 times for his country and is energetic, being very willing to hold the ball up and bring others into play.

It is, though, hard to see him being clinical in Group E.

Marco Urena is tasked with scoring the goals.

MIDFIELD BATTLE

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic v Bryan Ruiz

Former Fulham midfielder, at 32, is in the twilight of a magical career.

Still his nation’s darling, the attacker captains Costa Rica in Russia and will form the attacking axis of a rigid and defensive five-man engine room.

Ruiz will be charged with supporting Urena and the Sporting Lisbon star’s experience of 110 caps will prove vital for his team.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a man expected to make a big move to either Real Madrid or Manchester United this summer, is at the beginning of his career with Lazio but will be in direct contact with Ruiz.

The Serb’s powerful frame and superb technique will make him a real handful and Costa Rica will well and truly need to keep him under wraps.

The next big thing? Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE

Branislav Ivanovic v Oscar Duarte

Zenit Saint Petersburg captain Branislav Ivanovic has bags of experience and know-how at international level but at 34, is a fading force in international football.

He could be a weak leak for Serbia during the tournament as he heads up an ageing defence.

Ivanovic, who enjoyed nine successful years with Chelsea, shouldn’t be written off but is a man Costa Rica should be targeting if they open up.

Duarte, who plies his trade with Espanyol in La Liga, only featured 13 times this past season but is protected in a workmanlike system in which he has Giancarlo Gonzalez and Johnny Acosta alongside him.

Ivanovic now plays his club football in Russia.