Preview: Chile – Spain

(GSM) – The most anticipated showdown in Group H takes place on Friday in Pretoria as group leaders Chile take on Spain, who are still trying to secure a berth in the Round of 16.

Spain recovered from an opening loss to Switzerland with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Honduras. The European champions will go through with any victory over Chile, but that might not guarantee first place if Switzerland thoroughly beat Honduras.

A draw could also be enough pending the result of the other match.

Chile, meanwhile, need just a point from the game to go through as group winners, but they could still advance with a loss. That also would depend upon the Switzerland-Honduras result.

Chile recorded another 1-0 victory over Switzerland in their second game, and they are in a great position to continue the fine run of the South American sides in this tournament.

Teams from South American are unbeaten in 13 games, with 10 wins in those games.

There will be lineup changes for Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa as Matías Fernández and Carlos Carmona must serve a one-match ban.

As a result, Bielsa has said Jorge Valdivia and Rodrigo Millar are the likely replacements in the squad.

Andrés Iniesta will be a late decision for Spain, but all accounts are that he is expected to be passed fit to start in place of Jesús Navas.

Should they advance, a second booking would rule out Chilean players Valdivia, Waldo Ponce, Gary Medel and Humberto Suazo.

For Spain, they are the only side in the tournament to make it through their first two games without having a single player booked.