Quite a tasty dish on offer in St Etienne this afternoon. The Dutch have four points, the Mexican's have four points and the Belgians, who meet South Korea, have two points. Assuming that the Belgians win, the Mexicans need at least a draw. If the Belgians go a bit goal happy and win by more than two, then the Mexicans have troubles and need to start improving their goal difference.

That may be easier said than done. The Dutch are on a roll having found their rhythm on Saturday with the five-goal dispatching of South Korea. The signs are ominous for the Mexicans. Bergkamp showed precious few signs of rust when returning after a two-month absence and should be even sharper tomorrow. Davids and Jonk are a central midfield pairing which almost any nation here would envy. Then there is a defence marshalled by the sublime Staam and little optional extras like Overmars on the overlap and Cocu responding to Bergkamp's promptings.

Signs are that the Dutch are taking the game seriously. The possibility of a shock defeat allied to a win for the Belgians would dump them out of the competition. "Mexico worry me," manager Guus Hiddink admitted.

For the Mexicans, striker Luis Hernandez has an injured right ankle following a heavy tackle by Vidovic in the game against Belgium, while midfielder Pavel Pardo is suspended having been sent off in the same game. Mexican manager Manuel Lapuente is expected to name an attack-oriented side (he has no other choice) with Jesus Arellano, a sub the last day, pressing hard for a place.

The Dutch will be without Kluivert again, but have no players on yellow cards (Mexico have four) and are unlikely to switch from the starting line-up which disembowelled South Korea at the weekend.

Probable Teams

Holland: van der Sar; Winter, Stam, F de Boer, Numan; R de Boer, Jonk, Davids, Overmars; Cocu, Bergkamp.

Mexico: Campos, Terrazas or Carmona, Suarez Sanchez, Davino, Ramirez; Luna, Garcia Aspe, Palencia, Ordiales; 15-Luis Hernandez, 11Cuauhtemoc Blanco.