Australia Vs Netherlands – Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre @7.00pm
Spain Vs Chile – Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro @10.00pm
After thrashing champions Spain 5-1 in their opener, Netherlands turn guns against Australia at the Estadio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre.
Australia, 3-1 losers to Chile in their first game need to pick maximum points against a clinical Dutch side to keep hopes of progressing from the group on track.
Australia coach Ange Postecoglou will be without Ivan Franjic after he suffered a hamstring injury that rules him out of the entire tourney thus changes are expected at the back.
On the other hand, Louis Van Gaal has no injury worries with skipper Robin Van Persie; a brace hero against Spain expected to lead the attack. The two sides will be meeting for the first time in the World Cup but Australia have not lost to Netherlands in the previous three meetings albeit all friendlies drawing two and winning once.
The Netherlands are however unbeaten in their last 11 World Cup group matches, winning eight and drawing three. Their last group stage defeat came back in 1994 versus Belgium whilst Australia have won just two of their previous 11 World Cup matches.
Robin Van Persie who has so far scored ten goals in the last nine games plus Arjen Robben (7 in 7) will be the key men for last edition’s runners up but Australia will look to Tim Cahill who holds the record for most goals (4) for Australia in World Cup finals. The former Everton man has also netted in three World cups.
Spain Vs Chile Defending champions Spain return to action in the 2014 World Cup with a date against Chile at the Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro.
The Spanish come into the game knowing that anything less than victory will all but cost them in the round of 16 following the 5-1 annihilation by Netherlands in the opener. Chile who beat Australia 3-1 in the first game aim for victory to seal a place in the knock out round with a game to spare but must know that they face a wounded Lion in Vicente Del Bosque’s men.
The World champions enjoy a formidable record against the Chileans with no loss in the previous 10 meetings drawing just two. The wins include a 2-0 win in the 1950 World Cup at the same stadium today’s game will be held and the 2-1 win in South Africa four years ago.
Besides, Spain have not lost back to back games since 2006 when they lost 3-2 to Northern Ireland and 2-0 to Sweden. In 2010, the Spanish lost their first game (1-0 vs Switzerland) but went on to win the championship thus will draw inspiration from that history.
Del Bosque is expected to ring some changes from the side that started against The Dutch but Manchester United goalie has no chance of benefiting from changes after suffering a buttock injury.
Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez who has been involved in seven of his side’s last eight games will be key for Chile.
