Preview: Brazil – Chile

(GSM) – A pair of South American rivals meet on the biggest stage of all on Monday evening as Brazil face Chile at Ellis Park in the World Cup Round of 16.

Brazil, winners of Group G ahead of Portugal, come into the game brimming with confidence despite a rather drab showing their final group game against the Portuguese.

Chile, meanwhile, looked very strong in winning its first two games before being brought back to Earth a bit by European champions Spain in their Group H finale.

In their two meetings in South American qualification, Brazil ran away with both contests.

In the first meeting in Santiago in September 2008, The Brazilians netted a 3-0 victory. In the return leg in Salvador de Bahía a year later, the Samba Boys romped to a 4-2 win.

Chile have not beaten Brazil since August 2000 in a World Cup 2002 qualifying match, when the Chileans triumphed 3-0.

Brazil coach Dunga will enjoy the return of playmaker Kaká from a dubious suspension, and the injured Elano is fit again to take part after missing the game against Portugal.

Chile, meanwhile, will be ravaged by suspensions picked up in the loss to Spain.

Marcos Estrada was sent off in the first half and will miss out, and both Waldo Ponce and Gary Medel picked up a second group-stage booking and must serve a one-match ban.

As a result, Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa will have to draft at least three new faces into his squad, though Carlos Carmona and Matías Fernández are back from their suspensions.