RIO DE JANEIRO, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Colombia and Uruguay enter their World Cup round of 16 clash on the back of morale-building victories over Japan and Italy respectively in their final group matches.
Colombia secured top spot in Group C by cantering to a 4-1 victory over Japan, their third win from as many matches.
Uruguay emerged from one of the tournament's toughest groups by eliminating four-time champions Italy, courtesy of a late Diego Godin header in Natal.
But the contrast in mood of the respective camps before Saturday's duel at the Maracana stadium could not be more stark.
Colombia have been buoyed by the return to fitness of Carlos Bacca and Mario Yepes. The Sevilla striker has recovered from a quadricep injury while 38-year-old captain Yepes is ready to slot back in at centre-back after missing the Japan clash with muscle soreness.
For Uruguay there is no such good news.
The Celeste's fortunes have been dealt a devastating blow by the nine-match ban handed to Luis Suarez for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini.
Suarez had been in ominous form, having returned from a knee injury against England last week to score both goals in the team's 2-1 victory in Sao Paulo.
The Liverpool striker's absence will leave Oscar Tabarez's team dependent on Edinson Cavani for goals.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward has managed just one for the tournament so far and only two shots on target in 270 minutes.
While Cavani is certain to be the new focal point in attack, doubts surround the rest of Uruguay's lineup.
Will Tabarez hand a starting berth to Diego Forlan in place of Suarez, or will he opt for Espanyol striker Christian Stuani?
Then there is the option of adding another midfielder in a bid to block supply to Colombia's glut of attackers.
Forlan's inclusion is the most likely scenario. Tabarez will be hoping the 35-year-old can recapture the form that earned him the Golden Ball for the best player at the 2010 World Cup.
If the former Manchester United forward does play, he is likely to start just behind Cavani - a move that would also provide the Celeste with an extra creative outlet upfield.
While predicting La Celeste's starting eleven is largely guesswork, there are few doubts about how Los Cafeteros will line up.
In addition to Yepes, Elche midfielder Carlos Sanchez and Monaco's James Rodriguez are also set to be recalled. Both started on the bench against the Blue Samurai as Pekerman rotated his squad and rested key names.
Rodriguez is one of the early contenders for player of the tournament. The 22-year-old Monaco playmaker has scored three goals and created two assists, establishing himself as the fulcrum of Colombia's midfield and prompting Carlos Valderrama to nominate him as his successor.
Rodriguez's assist and sublime chipped goal after being introduced at halftime against Japan were a reminder that the injured Radamel Falcao is not Colombian football's only world- class asset.
Uruguay will also be wary of the threat posed by Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado and Porto's attacking midfielder Juan Quintero.
Tabarez knows his players must defend grimly and execute their counter-attacking plan to perfection to have any chance of reaching the tournament's last eight.
But without Suarez, and against a Colombia side teeming with creative talent and self belief, it will be a formidable task.
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