Chile vs Australia preview: All the stats, facts and team news for the Group B clash

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Two weaker sides in Group B clash in Cuiaba after Spain play Holland
Chile hoping midfielder Arturo Vidal recovers from knee injury
Mark Bresciano (back) is Australia's only doubt
Chile have won three out of four previous meetings

Published: 19:07 EST, 12 June 2014 | Updated: 17:20 EST, 13 June 2014

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As the 2014 World Cup continues, Sportsmail will be providing you with all you need to know about every fixture in Brazil from team news and key battles to betting odds and Opta stats... next up, it's Chile vs Australia in Group B

Click here to follow the Chile vs Australia World Cup 2014 action live

Group B: Chile vs Australia

Venue: Arena Pantenal, Cuiaba
Kick-off: 11pm (6pm, Brazil time)
TV coverage: ITV1, from 10.35pm
Odds: Chile 2/5, Draw 16/5, Australia 8/1
Referee: Noumandiez Doue, Ivory Coast

The venue: The Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba will host the Group B match between Chile and Australia on Friday night

Managers:

Jorge Sampaoli (Chile)
Ange Postecoglou (Australia)

Team news: Chile are hoping star midfielder Arturo Vidal is fit and able to play when they square off against Australia in Cuiaba on Friday.

The Juventus player has been struggling with inflammation in his right knee following an operation on his meniscus last month and has had a big question mark over his availability for the World Cup Group B games ever since.

Vidal, a free-kick specialist, has trained with the team since Wednesday and featured for 15 minutes in a 2-0 friendly win over Northern Ireland last week.

Injury doubt: Chile's Arturo Vidal could miss the match with Australia with a knee problem

'Arturo trained like the rest of us,' Chile midfielder Gary Medel said. 'He did a good job and didn't have any pain in his knee.

'We hope that he can be with us for the first game. It will depend on him and how he feels. We want him to take care of himself and if he does play, we hope it (meniscus) doesn't affect him.'

Experienced striker Tim Cahill will lead the Socceroos' attack while veteran midfielder Mark Bresciano is doubtful with a back injury.

The biggest challenge for Australia, who are competing in their third straight World Cup finals, is the lack of experience for many of their players.

Leading the way: Veteran striker Tim Cahill will be up front for Australia

A total of seven players in the squad are currently on the books of A-League clubs.

'For a lot of these players it's their first go at the big stage and I'm sure there's a little bit of uncertainty in their heads,' Postecoglou said. 'If we can get through those initial moments we'll be fine.'

Crystal Palace midfielder Mile Jedinak will captain Australia.

Key clash: Alexis Sanchez v Jason Davidson

Sanchez successfully emerged from Lionel Messi’s shadow at Barcelona this season and the lightning-quick forward will be looking to lead Chile in Brazil. He is more than capable of exploiting the gaps left by Davidson on Australia’s left-hand side, with the full-back known more for his attacking than defensive play.

Danger man: Alexis Sanchez will be one of Chile's main creative influences

Tough ask: Australia's Jason Davidson has the task of keeping an eye on Alexis Sanchez in the match

One to watch: Marcelo Diaz (Chile)

English teams have tended to wilt against Basel in recent years and Diaz is one of the main reasons why. Comparisons with Xavi are slightly far-fetched, but the composed midfielder performs a similar role making his teams tick at both club and international level.

Head-to-head record:
Played 4 Chile Wins 3 Draws 1

Opta stats:
• Australia’s first ever point in a World Cup group came courtesy of a 0-0 draw against Chile in June 1974; it remains their only clean sheet in 10 World Cup Finals matches.

• Since their third place finish in 1962, Chile have only won two of their 17 World Cup games (D6 L9).

• Chile have lost against a subsequent finalist in each of their last three World Cups (West Germany in 1982, Brazil in 1998 and Spain in 2010).

• The Socceroos have only won two of their 10 games at the World Cup (D3 L5) – these coming against Japan in 2006 (3-1) and Serbia in 2010 (2-1).

• Australia’s last eight World Cup games have produced seven red cards (four for the Socceroos, three for their opponents).

• Chile conceded 1.56 goals per game in the qualifiers, more than any other of the 32 participants in the 2014 edition.

• Australia have never beaten la Roja in any competition, drawing one and losing three so far.

• Arturo Vidal was the top scoring midfielder in South American qualifying, helping himself to five goals.

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ppasco69, los angeles, United States, 15 hours ago

see Australia vs Chile - FIFA World Cup 2014 LIVE! as australia will rely heavily for goals on veteran tim cahill, who holds the national record of 32 in 68 appearances as experienced striker and will lead the Socceroos' attack against arturo vidal... w.atch.me/QXHO2R

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Stopwhinging10, Kent, England, 18 hours ago

Chile are a very good side!

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ppasco69, los angeles, United States, 16 hours ago

witness Australia vs Chile - FIFA World Cup 2014 LIVE! as australia will rely heavily for goals on veteran tim cahill, who holds the national record of 32 in 68 appearances as experienced striker and will lead the Socceroos' attack against arturo vidal... w.atch.me/QXHO2R