HOLLAND v ARGENTINA, IVORY COAST v SERBIA - MATCH PREVIEW I
Andy Morgan

Group C Permutations: Argentina and Holland have qualified. The winner of the match between the two will determine who finishes top of the group. If it is drawn then Argentina will finish first.

Frankfurt plays host to the tie of the Group stage as first placed Argentina meet second place Holland in Group C. Both teams know that winning the group will give them a slightly easier passage to the Final and will also probably result in them avoiding Portugal from Group D, who present a tricky game.

Both sides will know what is needed of them to avoid the Portuguese going into this game and they will both fancy their chances against Mexico, the likely runners-up of Group D.

Despite this, Holland coach Marco van Basten is likely to rest Mark van Bommel, Joris Mathijsen and the impressive Arjen Robben. All three are on yellow cards and van Basten sees their participation in the Second Round more important than their helping to secure a victory here.

Van Basten however is likely to make more changes, allowing some of his squad players an outing. Expect Liverpool's Jan Kromkamp (eight pre-World Cup appearances), Alkmaar's Kew Jaliens (one PWCA), AZ Alkmaar's Tim de Cler (two PWCA) and Denny Landzaat (twenty PWCA), and Feyenoord's Dirk Kuijt (sixteen PWCA) all to start.

This is an inexperienced defence although it can be argued that Kromkamp, who is expected to fill the right-back birth, has earned his start after strong performances in recent Holland games in which he has played. It is however a risk to play Jaliens and De Cler against an Argentinian side that are so ruthless in attack, on a high after hitting Serbia and Montenegro for six.

A lot therefore depends on PSV's Andre Ooijer, the fourth defender in this backline, and the only one with any real experience. He has played the full ninety minutes of both of Holland's previous two games in a defence that only succumbed to a Bakari Kone wonderstrike so far. Argentina however will be far more dangerous in attack than either the Ivory Coast and Serbia and Montengro and you have to fear for a defence that let Bakari Kone glide so easily past them, despite his stunning skills.

Argentina were queueing up to score against Serbia and Montenegro but to avoid bookings and suspensions they may rest many of their influential players for the Second Round. Herman Crespo, who scored once against Serbia and once against the Ivory Coast is likely to sit out so expect the South Americans to be slightly weaker up front. Crespo has scored an average of a goal every two games so his absence will be felt.

Juan Roman Riquelme and Manchester United's Gabriel Heinze are also not likely to feature so as to avoid suspension. The former caused havoc for English teams in their European ties against Villareal last season and his absence will mean that the Argentinians will have a dearth of creativity in the midfield. Heinze missing at the back may also aid the Dutch side whose strike-force is weakened for the same reason as the Argentinian one is. Gabriel Milito is highly likely to take Heinze's place at the heart of the defence. The Real Zaragoza full-back, with fourteen caps to his name going into this tournament has the necessary experience to act as a perfect deputy to Heinze so expect the South American defence to remain strong.

Holland are expected to start with Van Nistelrooy and Van Persie however. They formed a strong partnership against the Ivorians, scoring one a piece as they beat the African side 2-1. This will have renewed the self-belief of the Manchester United man so expect him to come out firing today. Feyenoord's Dirk Kuyt is also likely to play in attack with the two English based players as Holland adopt their traditional 4-3-3 formation. Not as prolific as his two counterparts, he will be looking to add to his talley of four goals in sixteen games for his national side.

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