A Brazil fan enjoys the atmosphere prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group G match between Portugal and Brazil at Durban Stadium on June 25, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Brazil v Holland
(10 a.m.)
Along with Argentina's tussle with Germany this will be the highlight game of the quarter-finals. Do Holland have the nerve and ability to actually take the lead against the still highly favoured Brazilian team?
Well, on both counts they do. So from a neutrals perspective we could do worse than wish for it to happen.
For two reasons.
One, it will force Brazil to open up and be even more adventurous than they are under the pragmatic guidance of their coach Dunga.
And two, as a result of both teams being similar with their tactics and ability, we would not want the game to fizzle out into a cagey defensive battle.
It would be a shame if it went that way because the talent on display is outstanding. Even with Elano (Galatasaray) being unavailable due to injury, the Samba midfield will hardly skip a beat.
In Kaka (Real Madrid), Luis Fabiano (Seville FC), and Maicon (Inter Milan) they have three inevitable All Star performers while Holland's Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan), Arjen Robben (Bayern Munich), and Robin van Persie (Arsenal) provide attacking talent.
With Holland, while you could make the argument that their stars have been relatively quiet in goal production at this year's tournament, they are still lethal given any opening.
In regards to formations and tactics neither team will change beyond ever so slight adjustments.
Brazil do not alter their 4-2-2-2 (4-2-4) shape for anyone and with Holland being comfortable with their 4-2-3-1 (4-2-4) system it really will be a clash of who gets a hold of ball first in order to dictate play? Whichever team seizes possession their opponent will be comfortable with their resulting counter attack posture and so the story line will go.
Both teams are very similar and so neither will surprise each other with how they play.
In the end - all other things being equal - it will likely come down to the athletic prowess and depth of the Brazilians who in these areas simply have no match. Quick, fast, agile, powerful at the higher World Cup level, are synonymous with all Brazilian players.
It is the area Holland or any other team for that matter, simply cannot match - at least not all over the park - Mark van Bommel (Bayern Munich) being the reference point here for Holland.
The brilliant Oranje will therefore be hoping they can continue to excel defensively and then find a little bit of inspiration from their attacking talent, at just the right time.
When push comes to shove however, Brazil are still the team to beat.
Uruguay v Ghana
(2:30 p.m.)
As with all games at this stage it is not easy to predict the ultimate outcome.
Nevertheless, there are a few areas which stand out as potential game breaking factors as South America takes on Africa in an intriguing encounter.
So let's begin with Uruguay.
Starting in their opening game versus France where La Celeste held the 2006 World Cup finalists to a 0-0 draw, Uruguay were excellent in their defending approach particularly at the back. With four games played in South Africa they have only conceded one goal which clearly highlights their defensive organization, their application, discipline and stubbornness.
Having said that, it was in their most recent second round game versus South Korea where they finally looked a little stressed and vulnerable.
The Koreans while chasing the game pushed numbers forward, pressed high defensively and constantly probed Uruguay's back line, especially in the second half.
While Uruguay looked a little rattled at times, they did not help themselves by changing their tactical approach as early as they did.
Dropping off invited the Koreans to attack them and it ultimately proved they can buckle when under constant pressure. It is the reason why they leaked a goal.
In the end though, everything worked out well for them because their real strength is their ability not just to attack but more importantly to finish clear cut chances or when necessary creating goals out of nothing.
Luis Suarez's (Ajax) winner against the Koreans and Diego Forlan's (Atletico Madrid) long range shot against South Africa provide perfect examples of this latter individuality.
Knowing at this stage of the competition it generally comes down to something special it could be a good omen against the Ghanaian team who themselves are not quite so lethal in the final third - or at least they have not been in South Africa.
In four games they have scored 4 goals but two of those were penalties and one of their other goals was scored in extra time versus the United States. They do have the ability to create but not always to finish. Australia with ten men were able to diffuse their scoring threat and deserved a 1-1 tie in the end.
Nevertheless it is Ghana's unpredictability when they attack which should also be of concern for Uruguay as it is extremely difficult to defend against the unexpected. With impressive pace all over the park it will be a key concern for Uruguay to diffuse. If they can handle it, then their experience and ability to finish in the final third will be the difference.