Preview: Team GB vs. United Arab Emirates

Team GB opened their Olympic Group A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Senegal on Thursday, while United Arab Emirates surrendered a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 against Uruguay.

Great Britain's first Olympic match since 1960 ended in disappointment following the late leveller, and the pressure is certainly on Stuart Pearce's side to register three points.

Meanwhile, UAE proved that they are a capable side at this level following their hard-fought clash with Uruguay, but they buckled in the second period under a flow of pressure from the South American outfit.

Pearce could name an unchanged team for the encounter, although there are concerns over the fitness of Daniel Sturridge – with Marvin Sordell on standby to replace the Chelsea man.

Aaron Ramsey is also pushing for a recall at the expense of Danny Rose, but Pearce is known to favour the pace and direct running of the Tottenham Hotspur man.

UAE could also remain unchanged, with impressive playmaker Oman Abdulrahman continuing in the middle of midfield.

Possible lineups:

Team GB: Butland; Taylor, Caulker, Richards, Bertrand; Giggs, Cleverley, Allen, Rose, Bellamy, Sturridge;

UAE: Ali Khaseif; Saad Surour, Abdulaziz Hussain, Mohamed Ahmad, Ali Alameri; Habib Fardan, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohamed Fawzi; Ahmed Ali, Ismaeil Matar

Sports Mole says: 2-0

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