The last game of the two table toppers of Group B could well play out the best game of a fine group stage. The Dutch have scored eight goals so far and have prove themselves masters of the counter-attack, happy to sit back and soak up pressure before hitting teams on the break, with Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie leading the charge. Van Persie has scored three goals but the Manchester
United striker is suspended today having been booked twice. Van Gaal could replace him with Klaas-Jan
Huntelaar, but in training in the past few days he has changed from his new 5-3-2 system to a 4-3-3. Robben
has lined up on the right, Dynamo Kiev striker Jeremain Lens through the middle and the 33year old former Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt on the left. If the Dutch sit back and wait to break, Chile will be more than happy to take the game to them.
Chile ran through Spain in last Wednesday’s 2-0 win, shocking
them with their intense pressing, athleticism and incisive one-touch attacking. Eduardo Vargas opening goal was one of the moves of the tournament. Good as the Netherlands have been going forward, they are vulnerable at the back. Centre-backs Ron Vlaar and Stefan de Vrij are not world-beaters and Bruno Martins Indi is struggling with an injury. If Vargas, Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal play as well as they did against Spain, Chile could score the goals to top the group, forcing the Dutch to face Brazil.
After two rounds of the tournament a mere look at the standing indicates that the South Americans are going to have at least 4 contenders in the Round of 16. Chile might be slight underdogs here and with so much value for a win. Having home advantage and more fan support I expect them to stun the Dutch side especially to avoid facing Brazil in the next stage of the competition
Verdict: Chile to win
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