YEREVAN, JULY 12, ARMENPRESS. Brazil will welcome back captain Thiago Silva to the centre of defence after he missed the 7-1 defeat BY Germany through suspension.

Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to make several other changes as the hosts try to salvage some pride.

As reports “Armenpress” citing BBC, Netherlands are also set to rotate their squad, so the likes of Memphis Depay and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could earn starts.

Goalkeeper Michel Vorm is the only Dutch player yet to feature in Brazil.

Hosts Brazil, still reeling from the humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany, end their campaign by taking on Netherlands in the third-place play-off.

A game between the two losing semi-finalists, first introduced at the 1934 World Cup, was originally envisaged as a match to whet the appetite ahead of the final.

Yet Dutch coach Louis van Gaal believes the fixture is an irrelevance.

"There is only one award that counts and that is becoming world champions," Van Gaal said.

"The worst thing is that there is a chance you are going to lose twice in a row," he added.

"And in a tournament in which you have played so marvellously well you go home as a loser."

Van Gaal's side lit up the competition in the group stage, with their 5-1 demolition of defending champions Spain particularly impressive.

However, they found the going a little tougher in the knock-out phase, producing three nervy displays.

With the pressure off, the Dutch will hope to regain their fluency and give Manchester United-bound coach Van Gaal a winning send off.

This game could also prove to be a swansong for Brazilian boss Luiz Felipe Scolari.

His future will be discussed after the tournament and the 2002 World Cup-winning coach is only too aware that the thrashing by Germany leaves a stain on his CV.

"I know my career will be marked by this defeat but we have an obligation to move on, thinking about the next goal," he admits.

"I know it's a much smaller dream than we all wanted but we have to honour the shirt of the national team."

This will be the 12th game between Brazil and Netherlands (W3, D5, L3), and the fifth in World Cup finals.

The Dutch have won two of the three most recent World Cup meetings, including a 2-1 win in the quarter-finals of the last World Cup.

The two nations have given away the most fouls in the tournament - Brazil 107, Netherlands 106.

Brazil's last victory over the Dutch was a 3-1 win in 1999. The match saw five players sent off; Edgar Davids, Andre Ooijer and Peter van Vossen for the Dutch, Rivaldo and Amoroso for Brazil.

Netherlands had just one shot on target in their semi-final against Argentina, while Brazil had eight in their 7-1 loss against Germany.

This is the fourth time Brazil have been involved in the third-place play-off. They have two wins (1938 and 1978) and one defeat (1974) from the previous three.

Brazil have scored 11 goals and conceded 11 at this tournament. They have never let in more than 11 at a World Cup, having also done so in 1938.

Brazil has had more shots (76) than any other country at this World Cup.

Julio Cesar, David Luiz and Marcelo have featured in all 570 minutes of Brazil's 2014 World Cup campaign

Marcelo has created 10 goalscoring chances for Brazil - only Neymar (13) has managed more for the hosts.

Maxwell is the only outfield player yet to feature for Brazil.

This is the second time Netherland have been involved in the third-place play-off. They lost 2-1 to Croatia in 1998 having lost to Brazil on penalties in the semi-final.

The Dutch scored 11 goals during their three groups matches but have managed just one in three knock-out games.

Ten of the Netherlands' 12 goals in this tournament have come after half-time; the last four have come after the 75th minute.

For the second time, after 1974 and 1978, Netherlands will finish in the top four in consecutive World Cups.

Only Karim Benzema (15) has had more shots on target than Robin van Persie (10) in this World Cup, but the Dutchman is yet to score in the knock-out stage.

Michel Vorm is sole player within the Dutch squad yet to make an appearance at this World Cup.