In what is expected to be a tight game, group stages top scorers Netherlands face the best defence at the group stage in Mexico in the round of the last 16 game at Fortaleza on Sunday afternoon.
The Dutch managed 10 goals in the group stages whilst Mexico conceded just once; a last minute goal from Croatia in their last group game.
Louis Van Gaal’s charges welcome back skipper Robin Van Persie from a one match ban but are likely to be without Bruno Martins Indi who suffered a concussion in the 3-2 victory over Australia.
On the other hand, Mexico will miss the services of suspended holding midfielder Jose Vasquez.
Miguel Herrera’s boys will be looking to break the round of 16 jinx that has now seen them fail to go beyond that stage on five consecutive occasions. Their last appearance in the quarters came at home soil in 1986.
Captain Rafael Marquez (The only player to captain a nation at four different world cups) is expected to lead from the back with Guillermo Ochoa who has been fine in goal for the Loz Aztecas ready to thwart whatever is thrown at him from the flying front Dutch men.
Upfront, Javier Hernandez is once again expected to start on the bench despite breaking his 11 match duck without a goal for the national team with Oribe Peralta and Giovan Dos Santos preferred upfront.
For the 2010 losing finalists, Van Persie’s return means he leads the line with Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder joining him in attack.
Nigel De Jong and Jonathan De Guzman are expected to patrol the midfield for the Oranje.
The Oranje come into this game in fantastic form having lost just once (1-0 Vs Spain in the 2010 finals) in their last 10 World Cup games.
The two sides have met four times with Netherlands leading with three wins and one draw. The draw; a 2-2 in 1998 group phases is their only World Cup meeting.
The winner of the tie faces either Costa Rica or Greece who face off later on Sunday.