What Bettors Need To Know: Brazil vs. Netherlands
Brazil (-211 to advance) vs. Netherlands (+197 to advance, over/under 2.5)
Game strategy
Holland’s chances of success in this game are boosted by the return to fitness of Arjen Robben, whose goal-scoring comeback against Slovakia made the Dutch look very potent again in attack.
Netherlands playmaker Wesley Sneijder.Wesley Sneijder will be pulling the strings for the Dutch and, with two goals and an assist at this World Cup, the Inter Milan star will be the man Gilberto Silva is tasked with keeping quiet. But all has not been rosy for the Dutch this week, with rumors of a training ground dispute between Sneijder and Robin van Persie denied, but still likely to unsettle the squad.
Still, the Netherlands have no major injury worries or suspensions to concern them.
One of their bright young stars, Eljero Elia, who has featured as a substitute in all four games so far, spoke to FIFA.com this week. He said: "We can play a lot better than we have. We've been getting the results, but we've not yet shown the kind of team we are and the kind of football we can play.
"We're not worried about Brazil or any other opponent because we just need to play our game."
A confident Elia added: "We came to South Africa to become world champions and we're going to do everything we can to make it happen."
Meanwhile, Brazil are preparing to be without the influential midfielder Elano not just for this game but for the rest of the tournament, meaning Julio Baptista or Kleberson could get a call-up.
Elano’s absence could be crucial as he has been vital to the South Americans in qualifying and performed well at this World Cup before picking up the injury, having scored against North Korea and Ivory Coast.
But Brazil are beginning to click in this World Cup and the attacking trio of Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano are looking increasingly likely to score whenever they combine.
However, not everybody agrees that Brazil are the great team many think they are. Dutch legend Johan Cruyff recently hit out at them for playing a “dull style” and claimed he would never pay to see them.
Cruyff said: "Where has the Brazil team we all know disappeared to in this World Cup? I look at this team and I remember people like Gerson, Tostao, Falcao, Zico or Socrates. Now I only see Gilberto, Melo, Bastos, Julio Baptista.
"Where is the Brazilian magic? I could understand why Dunga has picked some players but where is the playmaker or skill in midfield? I don't think any spectator would pay to watch them. I would never pay for a ticket."
Players to watch Brazil forward Robinho is in top form at the World Cup.
Brazil – Robinho
Despite disappointing fans in England and Spain after his inconsistent displays for Manchester City and Real Madrid respectively, Robinho moves to a different beat in the golden jersey of Brazil. His displays throughout this World Cup have gone without the pomp reserved for Luis Fabiano and Kaka, but are just as praiseworthy.
His goal against Chile highlighted his near-perfect technique, and is a player high in confidence and approaching his top form again. Against a somewhat wooden Dutch defence, Robinho could hold the key to Brazil’s success.
Netherlands - Arjen Robben
Arjen Robben only returned to the Dutch team for the knockout round after suffering a hamstring injury before the tournament. But you can’t hold great players down and Robben’s 2010 World Cup debut was only 18 minutes old when he fired in his first of the tournament against Slovakia in typical Robben style.
The Bayern Munich winger will almost certainly start on the right for the Netherlands and, against the sometimes defensively suspect Brazilian left-back Bastos, Robben’s pace and trickery and ability to cut inside could be the key to Oranje glory.
Know your enemy
These two have a habit of meeting at World Cups – and they’re usually memorable affairs.
Branco’s audacious and spectacular free kick decided matters at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas in ’94, while the two last met in the semi finals at France ’98.
That night in Marseille saw Brazil’s famous number 9, Ronaldo (the original Ronaldo) score for the South Americans, before the Dutch number 9, Patrick Kluivert scored a late equaliser to force extra time. Brazil won on penalties, and the rest is history.
Pitch/weather
There have been concerns over the quality of the Port Elizabeth pitch but, given the 3-day break in the tournament, the ground staff should have had enough time to rectify the problems. The weather is due to be a warm and sunny 76 degrees Fahrenheit at kick off but will drop significantly during the game. Maybe this will suit the Dutch?
Stat attack
Brazil have won each of their 16 matches when Kaka, Fabiano and Robinho have all started, averaging 3.1 goals per game.
The Netherlands have played a higher proportion of their passes in their own half than any side at this World Cup.
Falcons are used at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to keep pigeons and small animals away.