WC 2014 Today's Games MD Thread 23 June

It's the final two games of 'Group B' in which we see Holland vs Chile, to establish who goes through as group winners. The other game is a dead rubber between Australia and Spain to see who wins the wooden spoon. Both games kick-off at 5pm BST

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Netherlands and Chile will battle it out for top spot in Monday's Group B clash in Sao Paulo.

The loser of the game at the Arena Corinthians will have to face the winners of Group A in the last 16, which is most likely to be the host nation Brazil.

Ahead of a possible encounter with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s team, Robin van Persie says the Dutch will be aiming to finish their group campaign in style.

"If you look ahead a bit, in theory you are better off than if you come second," the Netherlands captain said.

"I'd really like to play them," he said of Brazil, "but a little bit later (in the tournament)."

The Oranje may be without central defender Bruno Martins Indi, who suffered a concussion in their 3-2 win over Australia, while coach Louis van Gaal is faced with a selection headache ahead of Monday’s game.

Memphis Depay made an impressive substitute performance after his goal gave the Netherlands a vital win over the Socceroos on Wednesday, while prolific goalscorer Klaas Jan Huntelaar remains an option on the bench if Van Gaal opts to rest star duo Arjen Robben and Van Persie.

The Manchester United striker, who has bagged three goals so far, says his side have a number of excellent alternatives available.

Van Persie told reporters: "The boys for the front positions train fantastically. We have a lot of good players."

For Chile, coach Jorge Sampaoli could be forced to bench Arturo Vidal and Charles Aranguiz, who have both picked up a yellow card during the tournament.

Vidal has also damaged his right Achilles tendon while Aranguiz, who netted in their 2-0 win over Spain, has a minor sprain on his right knee.

The Juventus midfielder, who has been repeatedly linked with Manchester United, insists he wants to feature in Sao Paulo and is not thinking about a possible suspension.

"This squad is showing how great it is and that's why I'm not thinking about that yellow card, nor that I could be suspended," Vidal told Chile's El Mercurio newspaper.

"I just hope to play and be in the group, that's the mentality of this group," he said.

Midfielder Carlos Carmona could start if the Chilean pair are unavailable for the game, and he believes his side have the squad depth to deal with injuries.

The 27-year-old said: “Eventual suspensions are something normal in these tournaments, but we have players who can replace anyone in such an eventuality.”

Paul Merson's prediction

I don’t think this game is vital for these teams. People are banging on about how you want to avoid Brazil but Brazil have been rotten and I think both Netherlands and Chile would fancy their chances. That said, I don’t rate Holland one bit. They were proper lucky against Australia and with Robin van Persie suspended I think they’ll lose to a Chile team who play with a great tempo.

PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (at least)

Opta facts

This will be the second ever meeting between these sides. Netherlands won the last meeting by the drawing of lots after a 2-2 game during the 1928 Olympic tournament.
The Netherlands have failed to win their two games against South American opposition when the World Cup has been held in South America (0-0 v Peru and 1-3 v Argentina in 1978).
The Netherlands have lost only two of their 11 World Cup games against South American opposition: the 1978 final against Argentina (1-3 after extra-time) and the 1994 quarter-final against Brazil (2-3).
Chile have never won three successive World Cup games within the same tournament. 
Chile have won four of their last six World Cup games after failing to win any of their preceding 13.

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Already eliminated Spain and Australia face each other in Curitiba for their final Group B game.

Vicente del Bosque’s side were knocked out of the World Cup on Wednesday following their 2-0 defeat to Chile and have yet to pick up a point in the tournament.

Following a humiliating exit for the reigning champions, Del Bosque will likely make a number of changes for Monday’s game with Pepe Reina and Koke set to replace veteran duo Iker Casillas and Xabi Alonso, while Gerard Pique is doubtful with an abductor problem.

After a dismal campaign, Spanish defender Raul Albiol has dismissed any suggestion that his side are lacking in motivation.

"We are at a World Cup, we may be eliminated but we need to win and take some points so that we are not last in the group," said the former Real Madrid man.

"We are representing our country and these are the last 90 minutes.

"Unfortunately we will be going home afterwards, but the fact it is a World Cup is enough to motivate us."

Australia, who have scored more and conceded less than their Spanish counterparts, were also knocked out of the tournament on Wednesday after a narrow 3-2 defeat to the Netherlands.

Tim Cahill, who scored a superb goal against Louis van Gaal’s side, will miss their final game after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament in midweek.

Despite having their early exit confirmed, Cahill believes their game with Spain is ‘massive’ and that a victory would be a monumental achievement.

"We've got one more game to go and it is not about Tim Cahill," said the New York Red Bulls forward.

"If we beat Spain that will be one of the biggest moments in Australian history."

The Socceroos are the lowest ranked team in Brazil, but captain Mile Jedinak says his side has nothing to fear ahead of their encounter in the Arena de Baixada.

“It's going to be up to us again to go out there and get something out of the Spanish, and try to force our game on them," he said.

"We've done that in both of those games and although we haven't come away with anything it's time we make that right."

Paul Merson's prediction

I have been really impressed with Australia. In both games they have given it a right go and played real good football and I think they can be proud of themselves. Will they get a pasting against Spain? No. Spain are so low they could walk under a snake with a top hat on, but as they need to put on a show I think they’ll edge it. If Tim Cahill wasn’t banned, though, it could be a different story.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2

Opta facts

This will be the first ever meeting between Australia and Spain.
Australia have only won one of their seven World Cup games against European opposition (2-1 v Serbia in 2010).
Australia need a draw to finish above reigning champions Spain.
In winning Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012, Spain conceded a total of six goals, one fewer than they have so far at World Cup 2014.
In his 126 minutes of World Cup action so far, Diego Costa has failed to muster a single shot on target (only five shots in total).

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Leroy Fer of Norwich makes it 1-0 with his first touch!

You can do the thread for tonight's matches if you wish Killy.

 

No problem mate. It seems that from the lack of posts on these WC threads that the interest in them may be waning somewhat anyway.