Switzerland and Ecuador go head to head in the first 2014 World Cup clash for Group E.

Interestingly, one side is pitted as a potential dark horse to go far while the other has been earmarked for failure.

Despite not progressing during the 2010 World Cup, many pundits have tipped Switzerland to make a good run this time around, as the small European nation is stacked with a plethora of talent from some of Europe's biggest leagues. And as a result, they are ranked among the top ten sides in the world as per FIFA.

On the other hand, Ecuador, although they did hold England to a 2-all stalemate in a recent friendly, are regarded as the worst side coming out of South America. They are headlined by Manchester United's Antonio Valencia and do pose some attacking threat in players such as Caciedo and Valencia (no relation to the aforementioned Red Devils player).

However, their defense has been suspect as of late as opposed to their opponents' virtual air-tight back line, so it does appear--on paper, at least--to be in favor of the Swiss. Nonetheless, as fans have seen so far in the tournament, football is indeed unpredictable and so anything could happen in the next 90+ minutes.

Below, the starting XI's for each team.

Switzerland: Benaglio; Lichtsteiner, Djourou, Von Bergen, Rodriguez; Behrami, Inler; Shaqiri, Xhaka, Stocker; Drmic

Ecuador: Dominguez; Paredes, Guagua, Erazo; Ayoví; Valencia, Arboleda, Noboda, Montero; E. Valencia, Caicedo