Russia have flattered to deceive so far in this FIFA World Cup 2014, unable to score goals, so necessary to progress in this competition -- especially this edition, where it has rained goals left, right and centre -- and Fabio Capello's men will need three points against upbeat Algeria to stand any chance of making it through to the next round.
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The Group H encounter is set for a 5 pm local time (1.30 am IST, 9 pm BST, 4 pm ET) start with live coverage on Sony Six in India. The game can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE. Middle East and North Africa viewers can live stream the match courtesy Bein Sports HERE. Australia viewers can go HERE to catch the action online, while South Africa viewers can watch the match HERE. US viewers can watch the game on ESPN while the option to live stream is HERE. Watch the match in the UK on ITV and BBC with the live streaming optionHERE or HERE.
Algeria are the favourites to go through with Belgium, who have already qualified, after the North Africans' impressive 4-2 win over South Korea in their last game. They only lost to Belgium in their opener thanks to two late goals, after leading for much of the match, and Vahid Halilhodzic's men will be confident of keeping out goal-shy Russia.
"Don't let's get carried away," Halilhodzic said on Wednesday. "But it would be an unforgettable moment if we win tomorrow. Afterwards I can sing, I can dance and do everything. I think even you Algerian journalists will appreciate that.
"At the start of this World Cup my team had nothing to lose but tomorrow we have something to lose. It's a moment to make history and to make history you have to do everything right. When I see great champions eliminated already and the Algerian team on the brink of the second round, it is a hyper-important match."
Algeria currently sit second in Group H on three points, three behind Belgium, who will secure top spot with a draw against South Korea. Russia and South Korea still stand a chance of qualifying, but both need wins over their respective opponents.
Russia came into this tournament expecting fully to qualify into the round of 16 at the very least, on the back of a mean defence. However, while they have conceded only two goals in two matches, those two goals have cost them a draw and a loss.
The fact that Capello's men have only scored one goal all tournament, and have never really looked like troubling the scorers, will be a worry; because if Russia do not score on Thursday in Curitiba, then they can bid their World Cup dreams goodbye.
"There is only one chance against Algeria -- a draw solves nothing," said Capello, whose England side played out a drab 0-0 draw against Algeria in the 2010 World Cup. "I still believe [that we can qualify for the round of 16]. Absolutely I believe.
"I believe this is a better team than the one we faced in South Africa. It's a much quicker team and certainly much better organized. They are doing really well."
Algeria can go through with a draw as well, as long as South Korea do not overhaul them on goal difference with a big win over Belgium, which it must be said looks extremely unlikely. A win could even give Algeria top spot in Group H, and Halilhodzic insisted his team would not settle for a draw.
"I don't think we are capable of seeking a draw, but of course a draw would be welcome if it happens," he said. "Sometimes to get a draw you have to score first."
Capello has been criticised for not playing Alexander Kerzhakov and Alan Dzagoev from the start in this World Cup, and the Italian might just relent, considering that it is desperate times which call for desperate measures.
Expected lineups: Algeria: M'Bolhi; Mandi, Medjani, Bougherra, Halliche, Mesbah; Feghouli, Brahimi, Djabou, Bentaleb; Slimani.
Russia: Akinfeev; Kozlov, Berezutskiy, Ignashevich, Kombarov; Glushakov, Fayzulin; Dzagoev, Kanunnikov, Zhirkov; Kerzhakov.
Prediction: 1-1
