World Cup Preview - Group B - The Netherlands

Nickname: “Clockwork Oranje"

Absurd FIFA ranking: 15th

Coach: ManYoo manager in waiting

Match Schedule:

June 13 – Netherlands v. Spain (Salvador, 3 p.m. EST, ESPN)
June 18 – Netherlands v. Australia (Porto Alegre, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
June 23 – Netherlands v. Chile (Sao Paulo, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)

Prospects: The inventors of "Total Football" are typically one of the favorites among neutrals; however, they won very few fans with their disgraceful performance in the 2010 World Cup final against Spain. Which Holland will show up? If the qualifying stage is any way to judge, where the Dutch won nine matches on the trot, Van Gaal's set-up will be very different from Bert van Marwijk's. The likes of Nigel de Jong and John Heitinga have been consigned to the dustbin of history, with younger talents coming through. The Dutch will still be well drilled, which will likely take them through a competitive group and into the latter stages where games against heavyweights such as  Belgium and Italy lurk.

Key Player: Bayern's Arjen Robben is the wild card among the Dutch attackers who has the ability to unlock the better defenses in the knock-out stages. And somehow defenders haven't learned to track him out wide right.

Youngster to watch: 24-year old Feyenoord center back Daryl Janmaat is poised for a big money move to the Premiership if he shines in Brazil this summer.

Who Will Get the Goals: Robin van Persie is coming off an indifferent year at Manchester United but still has the obvious quality to be one of the favorites to pick up the Golden Boot this summer.

Who Will Get the Cards: Aston Villa center back Ron Vlaar is a weak cog in the Clockwork Oranje.

Prediction: Losing finalists...again - top of the group after some thrilling play against Spain in the opener, an easy win over a faltering Mexico in the Round of 16, followed by tight wins over Italy and Belgium in the latter stages.