The Brazilians are now strong favourites to win a sixth World Cup after comfortably beating Chile – can the Dutch raise their game this afternoon?

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Brazil manager Dunga has called on his team to improve after Monday night’s victory at Ellis Park, although it’s possible that the Selecao can win the 2010 World Cup playing at their current level. They were certainly too hot for Chile to handle in Johannesburg and have now been installed as 5/2 favourites (bet365) on the outright market.

While you can’t argue with their performances to date, they are likely to be seriously tested against the Netherlands this afternoon. It’s a mouth-watering prospect which conjures memories of the epic World Cup contests in 1994 and 1998, both of which went the way of the south American side, although the latter match was decided on penalties. Brazil are no bigger than 8/15 (bet365) to qualify for the semi-finals this time around.

If you think that they will win in normal time, Paddy Power and bet365 are currently offering even money about this eventuality, although it might not last until kick-off. They will be encouraged by Holland’s failure to get out of second gear in this tournament and their peculiar reliance on Arjen Robben to make things happen.

While Bert van Marwijk’s team did just about enough to beat Slovakia on Monday, the Oranje didn’t outclass their opponents and we need to see “the real Holland” (if such a thing exists) on Friday afternoon or it will be a limp exit from the competition for the Dutch.

They certainly have the attacking players to cause the Selecao some problems and you can get 10/3 (Ladbrokes) that they gain revenge for those 1994 and 1998 exits by winning the match in Port Elizabeth, with those previous encounters demonstrating that they certainly don’t fear the biggest name in world football.

Robin Van Persie cut a frustrated figure after being withdrawn once again during the second half of the Slovakia match, although the Arsenal man will continue to lead the Dutch line and is 6/1 (Ladbrokes) to break the deadlock at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Perhaps it’s Robben who offers better value, especially as the Bayern Munich winger can forge a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing. He’s 10/1 (bet365) to break the deadlock, although there’s something not quite right about this Netherlands team who seem content to try and pass the ball between defenders and holding midfielders without any real incision.

If this policy is adopted on Friday, Brazil are likely to make them pay and Luis Fabiano has been the chief goal-getter with three to his name this World Cup. Victor Chandler offer 9/2 that the Sevilla striker scores first, with Robinho on offer at 6/1 (William Hill).