Klagenfurt: Holders Greece and Russia are expected to ring the changes on Saturday in their bid to avoid a dreaded second defeat in a row in group D at Euro 2008.

Tactical changes are mooted for Greece, whose cautious approach failed to pay off in Tuesday’s 0-2 loss to Sweden, while coach Guus Hiddink has called for a different mentality among his Russia side after a 1-4 drubbing by Spain.

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel is expected to scrap the tactic of a five-man defence and opt for a more attacking 4-3-3 lineup.

Fanis Gekas should start as his pace will trouble Russia’s defence but there is a question mark over whether Angelos Haristeas and Yannis Amanatidis will make the XI.

Rehhagel could opt for the experienced Nikos Liberopoulosto replace either of them.

He might also deploy attack-minded defender Christos Patsatzoglou to close the gap between the back four and a midfield.

Hiddink has said he is unlikely to make any big changes to the team, although he may be forced to if striker Roman Pavlyuchenko does not recover from a thigh problem.

His absence would be a blow to Russia, already without suspended forward Andrei Arshavin and injured striker Pavel Pogrebnyak.

(REUTERS)