Slovakia vs. Netherlands in the Round of 16

Can the Slovakian national team pull off another upset against the Netherlands in today’s Round of 16? Coach Weiss’s team should not be underestimated, especially after their sensational group-stage victory over defending champions Italy, which deservedly sent the Azzurri home.

Can Slovakia spring another surprise?

When the FIFA World Cup 2010 Round of 16 gets underway in South Africa at 4 p.m. today, both teams will be fighting for a place in the quarter-finals. The Dutch are clear favourites, though the Slovaks are quite happy in the role of underdogs: “We were the underdogs against Italy too, and we won,” Robert Vittek, the hero of the match against Italy, told the world’s press. “Holland have to make the play. Let’s see what happens.” Naturally, Slovakia’s squad is brimming with confidence after deservedly reaching the Round of 16, and is certainly capable of another upset. The two teams’ line-ups are not expected to hold any major surprises. For the Dutch, only the injured Rafael van der Vaart is a doubt. After Slovakia’s strong group-stage performance, the Dutch have been put on alert and will be careful not to underestimate them. In both countries, the streets will be deserted by 4 p.m. at the latest, as fans from both sides gather in front of their televisions.

Probable line-ups for Slovakia and the Netherlands

Netherlands:

Maarten Stekelenburg

Boulahrouz, Heitinga, Mathijsen, van Bronckhorst

Mark van Bommel, Nigel de Jong

Kuijt, Sneijder, van der Vaart (Elia)

Robin van Persie

Slovakia

Jan Mucha

Peter Pekarik, Skrtel, Durica, Zabavnik

Jendrisek, Kucka, Hamsik, Kopunek, Stoch

Vittek