The Netherlands go into their quarter-final clash with Costa Rica at the Arena Fonte Nova on Saturday looking to improve on a tiring display against Mexico in the last-16 stage of the World Cup.
Since thrashing Spain 5-1 in their group opener, the Dutch have failed to dominate in the way many expected, but efficient performances saw them through to a tricky tie against Miguel Herrera's men last Sunday.
Despite trailing in the 35-degree heat, Louis van Gaal's side played the game until the final minutes as they sought to wear their opposition down and it seemed to work as goals from Wesley Sneijder and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar saw them home with a last-gasp victory.
Costa Rica, on the other hand, have turned out to be the World Cup's surprise package. Save for their 0-0 draw with England, Jorge Luis Pinto's men have played some standout attacking football, having beaten Italy and dispatched Greece with a penalties win in the last 16.
Both sides are expected to be missing key players for this encounter, which could make for an even more engrossing spectacle.
For Holland, rumours have begun to circulate that Robin van Persie's inclusion could be a close call, with the Manchester United striker leaving training with a taped-up thigh on Wednesday, while Nigel de Jong is also expected to be absent because of a suspected torn groin muscle.
Costa Rica's chances of progression could be hampered by the absence from of commanding Oscar Duarte, who was dismissed against Greece in the last round. It was expected that Roy Miller would fill in to replace the defender, however he is due to miss out because of an injury to his left foot.
Pinto is now considering whether to bring in either Johnny Acosta or Jose Miguel Cubero to fill the void at the back.
Recent form
Netherlands: WWWWWW
Costa Rica: WWWWDL
Possible starting lineups
Netherlands: Cillessen; Vlaar, Blind, De Vrij, Verhaegh; Martins Indi, Wijnaldum, Depay, Sneijder; Robben; Van Persie
Costa Rica: Navas; Gamboa, Acosta, Diaz Campbell, Umana, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Tejeda Valverde, Campbel, Borges, Bolanos
Sports Mole says: 3-1
See what the Sports Mole Sofa panel has to say about the clash in the video below.
