FIFA World Cup 2014 Match Preview, round of 16: Brazil v/s Chile

Brazil will hope to extend their impressive record against Chile as the two teams meet in the last 16 of the World Cup at Estadio Mineirao on Saturday. The Selecao are unbeaten against their South American rivals since a World Cup qualifier in 2000 and have won 10 of their last 12 meetings with La Roja, but face a Chile side who have already sent Spain packing in this competition.

Brazil boss Luis Felipe Solari said when the original World Cup draw was made that he hoped Chile would be knocked out in the group stages as did not fancy facing the South American side in the second round, a comment which raised eyebrows given the alternatives were 2010 winners Spain and finalists Netherlands.

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But Jorge Sampaoli's side advance after beating both Australia and Spain, before losing the chance to top Group B after a 2-0 defeat to the Dutch in their last match. Brazil, meanwhile, topped Group A after wins over Croatia and Cameroon, plus a goalless draw against Mexico. The two teams meet for a place in the last eight against either Colombia or Uruguay, meaning there will definitely be at least one South American side in the semi-finals.

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Chile reached the last four on home soil in 1962 in what was their only appearance beyond the last 16, but saw that run ended by eventual winners Brazil in a 4-2 loss. The Selecao have also knocked out Chile in their previous two second-round appearances, a 4-1 win in 1998 and a 3-0 success in 2010.

Four Brazil players, including Neymar and Thiago Silva, have been booked in this tournament and are just one yellow card away from suspension, while Fernandinho is set to replace Paulinho in the hosts' midfield on Saturday after a poor display in the group stages by the Tottenham midfielder. For Chile, Gary Medel and Arturo Vidal missed training on Thursday afternoon, but both are expected to be fit for Saturday's game.

Fact File:

Brazil have won all three previous World Cup fixtures against Chile, all of which have been in the knockout stages of the tournament (Round 2 in 2010, Round 2 in 1998, and the semi final in 1962).

Chile have conceded 11 goals in their three meetings with Brazil at the World Cup finals, an average of 3.7 per game.

Eduardo Vargas has scored in each of his last two appearances for Chile against Brazil, including a goal in Belo Horizonte in April 2013.

Brazil have scored two or more goals in each of their last nine matches against Chile, netting 32 in the process (3.6 per game).

Neymar scored the 100th goal of the 2014 World Cup (his first goal versus Cameroon), in Brazil's 100th game in the competition.

The Barcelona forward has now scored four times in three matches at the 2014 World Cup and eight times in his last six for Brazil.

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Four of Chile’s five goals so far at the 2014 World Cup have arrived before half-time, with the other coming in the 90th minute.

Chile have lost each of their previous second round fixtures, both of which were against Brazil (0-3 in 2010 & 1-4 in 1998).

Brazil have won their last five second round matches at the World Cup, scoring 13 and keeping four clean sheets.

The last time that Brazil lost a World Cup match in the second round of the competition was back in 1990; losing 0-1 to eventual finalists and South American side Argentina.

Overall, Brazil have lost only one of their last 10 World Cup matches against South American opposition (Won-8 Drawn-1 Lost-1).

Chile have lost all four of their World Cup matches against fellow South American opposition, although three of those games were against opponents Brazil.

Chile have never beaten the Selecao on Brazilian soil, losing 20 and drawing six.

The Seleção are now unbeaten in 40 successive matches in Brazil, with their last defeat coming against Paraguay (0-1 in a friendly) in August 2002.