A look ahead to Honduras' clash with Chile in Nelspruit on Wednesday as the teams in World Cup Group H get their tournament under way. Honduras and Chile's World Cup preparations have been far from ideal ahead of their Group H opener in Nelspruit on Wednesday.

Both sides have concerns over their star players while Honduras come into the competition on the back of a wretched run of form.

Despite pipping Costa Rica for automatic qualification last October, the Central Americans have struggled to reproduce that form in the build-up to only their second World Cup appearance having previously qualified in 1982.

Reinaldo Rueda's side have failed to win since beating the USA 3-1 in January, losing to Turkey and Venezuala while getting beat 3-0 by Romania in their final warm-up game.

They have also drawn with Azerbaijan and Belarus, scoring only two goals in their last five games, and have been hit by injury blows to Tottenham midfielder Wilson Palacios and Inter Milan striker David Suazo.

Both have been suffering from a thigh problem and Rueda has been keen not to rush his star duo back too soon.

Palacios was able to play a full part in the team's final training session before flying east from Johannesburg to the Mpumalanga province and is expected to prove his fitness in time.

However, Suazo's fitness is not as positive and a decision is set to be made today (Tuesday) on the 30-year-old, who ended the season on loan at Genoa.

Chile's form has been much more encouraging as they have won their last three friendlies against Northern Ireland, Israel and New Zealand.

Led by Argentinian coach Marcelo Bielsa, they enjoyed much success with an attacking approach in qualifying, finishing as runners-up to Brazil in the South American group.

But Bielsa, who took Argentina to the 2002 finals, has been sweating on the fitness of his star striker Humberto Suazo.

The 29-year-old, who ended the season on loan at Real Zaragoza from Mexican side Monterrey, was top scorer in the South American qualifying group with 10 goals.

He sustained a thigh injury against Israel, though, and despite recovering well, he is unlikely to be risked by Bielsa.

This will be Chile's eighth appearance in the finals having last qualified in 1998.

Victory would set either side up for a tussle with Switzerland for second place in Group H, with European champions Spain expected to progress as group winners.