The Serbs control their own destiny in Group E after an opening 1-0 win against Costa Rica on Sunday, which came courtesy of a stunning Aleksandar Kolarov free-kick.

Victory over Switzerland in Kaliningrad on Friday would guarantee Serbia a place in the last 16, regardless of whether they win or lose their final group game with Brazil next week.

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Serbia boast a host of current and former Premier League talent, including Manchester United Midfielder Nemanja Matic.

But their rising star is Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a rangy attacking midfielder who has drawn comparisons to Serbian great Dejan Stankovic.

Former coach Slavoljub Muslin, who led the team to qualification for Russia, reportedly paid with his job for failing to select Milinkovic-Savic.

It’s not a mistake current coach Mladen Krstajic intends to repeat and the Lazio man — who has reportedly attracted the interest of Real Madrid — was lively against Costa Rica.

“Milinkovic-Savic is a great player, with really exceptional technique,” said Swiss defender Denis Zakaria.

“It’s not just him, lots of their players play for big clubs, but we also have good players.” Switzerland were ranked above France and Spainn in sixth place before the tournament and battled hard for a point against a Brazil side led by Neymar in their opener.

“It was very good teamwork on the right side. It was almost a perfect game. It’s important to have this teamwork,” said Arsenal-bound captain Stephan Lichtsteiner.

Serbia have based themselves in Kaliningrad — Russia’s European territory on the Baltic Sea — throughout their stay in the tournament and tens of thousands of their countrymen are expected to travel for the game.