Chile-Brazil Preview

Brazil is expected to get three players back while Chile will have to do without three starters when the South American rivals meet Monday night at Johannesburg.

The Brazilians were always going to be considered favorites for this round of 16 matchup, but that may be even more the case given who will be available for both teams. Brazil clinched Group G with a scoreless draw against Portugal on Friday without midfielders Kaka and Elano and striker Robinho.

Kaka will return from suspension while Robinho received the day off due to a minor left thigh problem that he claims is not serious.

"I would have played against Portugal if it was a decisive match and Brazil hadn't advanced yet," Robinho said.

Elano is not a superstar like the other two players are, but he has scored twice and has returned to practice after recovering from a right ankle injury.

"I'm upbeat because I practiced normally and didn't feel any pain," Elano said.

Chile advanced despite a 2-1 loss to Spain on Friday, but the result didn't come without a price. Midfielder Marco Estrada was sent off in the 37th minute, and defenders Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce picked up their second yellow cards of the group stage.

Those three players are suspended for this match, and coach Marcelo Bielsa will have to make some changes.

"It was one game before the red card and a different one afterwards," Bielsa said. "You feel a bit ambivalent when you lose but still qualify, which is why we didn't celebrate."

Brazil has dominated the series, winning 46 times, losing six and drawing 12. The Selecao have won both World Cup meetings, 4-1 in 1998 and 4-2 in 1962.

More recently, Brazil outscored Chile 7-2 in two wins in World Cup qualifying for this tournament. That proved to be the difference as Brazil topped the table with 34 points to Chile's 33.

"We now have a difficult match against Brazil in the next round," midfielder Rodrigo Millar said. "We know we're going to face one of the biggest teams in the world."

It's unclear whether Bielsa will turn back to striker Humberto Suazo, who did not play against Spain. Suazo led all players with 10 goals in South American qualifying, but he's played one half so far after missing three months due to shoulder surgery.

Brazil may be lacking in depth in the midfield. Defensive midfielder Felipe Melo is doubtful with a left ankle injury while reserve Julio Baptista may not be available after hurting his left knee Friday.

The Selecao are 18-1-2 in their last 21 matches and have won all five against Chile with Dunga as coach. The short-handed Chileans are not deterred, however.

"We've achieved our first objective which was to reach the last 16, but we're not planning to rest on our laurels," Millar said.

The winner will face the Netherlands or Slovakia in the quarterfinals.