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Netherlands vs Chile World Cup 2014 match preview: When is the kick-off – and who are the favourites in key clash?

A look ahead to a match that will decide first place in Group B

Konstantinos Lianos

Monday 23 June 2014 17:13 BST

Chile’s Alexis Sanchez steers the ball past Sergio Busquets during the victory over Spain (Getty Images)

The Netherlands and Chile are ready to settle Group B’s first place when they square off in the Sao Paulo Arena. Both of them come into the match with six points and decisive wins over World Cup holders Spain.

LIVE: Follow today's latest news, including Netherlands v Chile

The Oranje will be more comfortable in this match as they know that a draw is enough to secure them the top spot since they have scored more goals. However, Louis Van Gaal will be missing the services of Manchester United hitman Robin van Persie who is suspended. Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay, who scored the winner last week against Australia, is expected to start up front.

Problems for the new Manchester United manager though do not stop there as Feyenord defender Bruno Martins Indi may not start due to a horrific concussion he suffered last week.

Scroll down to watch video.

The South Americans need a win in this match and manager Jorge Sampaoli is expected to make a few adjustments to the starting line-up as last week’s scorer Charles Aranguiz has picked up a knee injury. Much will be expected by Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez in a game that is expected to be highly competitive and eventful, with both sides eager to top the group and avoid what would be a likely meeting with hosts Brazil.

KICK-OFF: Monday, 5pm

PAST MEETINGS…

The sides have never faced each other before.

World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

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1/14World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Cristiano Ronaldo

The world's best player has never been afraid of rocking some perfectly coiffed barnets, but this one looks as if his barber dropped the clippers mid-shave - however a story later emerged on Twitter that said Ronaldo had shaved the zig-zag in his hair as a show of solidarity for a child who had brain surgery. The Portuguese footed the £50,000 surgery for Erik Ortiz Cruz to have an operation in March.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Nani

Nani has always been ridiculed by his Manchester United team-mates for being in awe of Ronaldo, and now that he's chosen to copy his former club team-mate by shaving something into his hair will only provide more material for the banter.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Marouane Fellaini

A long favourite of hair-based galleries for a long time, Marouane Fellain's mop still looks awful. At least it has a decent story behind it - it's a nod to his father, who sported one when he was younger.

Getty Images

World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Néstor Pitana

Argentinian referee Nestor Pitana needs to lose only about four hair-strands before he takes Sir Bobby Charlton's crown as having the best (worst) comb over.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Raul Meireles

A man who wouldn't look out of place with the hipster crowd of east London, Ronaldo's team-mate Raul Meireles has the best beard of the World Cup. He needs to spend more time on his hair, though.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Luka Modric

Not a particularly bad cut but the Croatian playmaker looked much better with the flowing blond hair we all knew and loved.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Dani Alves

Dani Alves clearly opted for the wrong shade of highlighter. Instead of going for blond it looks as if the Brazil full back has picked up grey.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Neymar haircut

The most famous man in Brazil's hair is all over the place. Up at the front, shaved at the sides, terrible blond highlights... a mess.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

David Luiz

The third Brazilian in this list sent this internet into a spin with rumours he had chopped off his famous locks, David Luiz emerged with his curly head of hair in tact. A living, breathing Sideshow Bob.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Asamoah Gyan

It's a rare moment when a striker wears the No 3 shirt, but Asamoah Gyan is so close to the number he decided to get it imprinted with blond highlights in the side of his head. If only Ghana could have found a third against the Germans.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Luis Nani

Another to sport have his number shaved into the side of his head, Portugal and Manchester United winger Luis Nani opted to have the No 17 bordered by a star.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Benoit Assou-Ekotto

We're not sure if the hairband at the front of Benoit Assou-Ekotto's hair is to stop his afro getting in his eyes, or to protect his forehead when he decides to butt his Cameroon team-mates.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Paul Pogba

The coveted French midfielder has gone a bit over the top with the highlighter. Not content with adding a bit of colour to his mohican, Pogba has also added blond streaks to the side of his head and shaved various parts.

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World Cup 2014: The worst haircuts in Brazil

Kyle Beckerman

USA midfielder Kyle Beckerman might be summoning his inner Bob Marley with these long dreadlocks, but it's not working.

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STATS…

This is the first time these teams will square off.

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben has scored eight goals in his last eight international caps and four in his last four World Cup appearances.

The Netherlands are unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup group stage matches. The Oranje have won nine of those matches and their last defeat occurred in 1994 against Belgium.

Chile have won four of their last six World Cup matches albeit the fact that they were dealing with 13-match losing streak beforehand.

Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez has been involved in eight of Chile’s last 10 goals as he has scored one goal, produced six assists and it was his shot that Iker Casillas blocked last week before the ball found scorer Charles Aranguiz.

ODDS…

Netherlands to win: 13.8

Chile to win: 9.5

Draw: 12.5

TV: Live on ITV at 5pm

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