The most hated man in brasil could start for spain!!! Spain take on Netherlands at the Arena Fonte Nova in repeat of 2010 final

Vicente del Bosque’s side lost their opening game four years ago to Switzerland but
recovered to reach the knockout stages and went on to lift the trophy for the first time following a fiery clash with the Dutch in Johannesburg, when Andres Iniesta’s extra-time goal clinched a 1-0 victory.
Spain followed up their success on South African soil by defending their European Championship crown in 2012, before qualifying safely ahead of France to book their ticket to Brazil.
A place in history may already be secure but Spain’s hunger is undiminished and they would perhaps be ranked as the greatest ever international team if they win a fourth major tournament in a row.
No European side has won a World Cup in South America but Spain start among the favourites, even if they have been placed in a tough group and some critics have suggested they are past their best.
Del Bosque disagreed with that theory on the eve of Spain’s opening clash in Salvador, saying: “We have a mature team and young players. We are not afraid of anything and we are in our prime.
"I don't have any fear for the future either because we have an Under-21 team that are winning things and there are plenty of replacements that will ensure a bright future."                
One of the players new to the Spain set-up is Diego Costa, the Brazil-born striker who is on the verge of joining Chelsea from Atletico Madrid and who only pledged his allegiance to Spain last October.
Costa is set to be available after declaring himself fit and fully recovered from the hamstring injury which dogged him in the final weeks of the season and led to him being withdrawn after just nine minutes of Atletico Madrid's Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old has trained without reporting any ill-effects and should start ahead of David Villa for the 8pm kick-off. Cesc Fabregas, in the "false nine" position, is another option for Del Bosque.
Del Bosque has confirmed that Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba will be fit to play despite suffering from foot blisters and toothache.
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal also has a worry over his star striker but, like Costa, Robin van Persie is confident he will be fit to spearhead his side's attack despite being withdrawn at half-time in the recent friendly win over Wales after complaining of a groin injury.
The 30-year-old then collided with a kite surfer in Rio de Janeiro earlier this week but escaped with minor scratches and a headache, leaving him free to start.
Netherlands will be desperate to avenge their defeat four years ago and Van Persie is in confident mood, saying: "Although as a squad, we may be much younger than four years ago, there are also lots of opportunities.
"We have to prove ourselves again, but it is also a great challenge.”
Van Gaal’s work in Brazil is sure to be the focus of scrutiny before he steps down to take charge of Manchester United next season, and he will be looking to sign off in style after guiding Netherlands to a near faultless qualification campaign.
Having warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Ghana and Wales, Netherlands will be keen to hit the ground running in a group also containing Chile and Australia.
Paul Merson's prediction:
This is one of those ‘groups of death’ and I think it’s going to be Chile that sneak through it, but in the first game I have Spain down to beat Holland. If Arjen Robben were to get injured that would be a major, major blow for the Dutch. On the other side Spain have got a good squad, it’s well balanced too; they’ve got a very good defence, good goalie, good midfield players, but my worry would be up-front. I’m not sure if Diego Costa’s leg is alright and you’re never sure what you’re going to get from Fernando Torres - he could be a world beater and end up as top scorer, or he might be like he’s been at Chelsea... I like the Spain squad up to the edge of the box.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0