Meanwhile, there are wholesale changes for Brazil. Luiz Felipe Scolari makes six changes to the side which lost 7-1 to Germany in the semi-final on Tuesday.

Captain Thiago Silva returns from suspension to take his place in the team, while defender Maxwell, midfielders Paulinho, Ramires and Willian and striker Jo all come into the side. Marcelo, Dante, Bernard, Fernandinho, Fred and Hulk are the players to make way.

Brazil: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Luiz, Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Paulinho, Gustavo, Ramires, Oscar, Willian, Jo. Subs: Jefferson, Dani Alves, Fernandinho, Marcelo, Hulk, Fred, Dante, Henrique, Hernanes, Bernard, Victor.

The Dutch's worst fears have been confirmed - Wesley Sneijder will not play. The Galatasaray midfielder has been replaced in Louis van Gaal's midfield by Swansea City man Jonathan De Guzman. So that's two changes for van Gaal - midfielder Jordy Clasie makes his first start of the tournament, replacing the injured Nigel de Jong.

Netherlands: Cillessen, De Vrij, Vlaar, Martins Indi, Kuyt, Wijnaldum, Sneijder, Clasie, Blind, Robben, Van Persie. Subs: Vorm, Janmaat, de Guzman, Verhaegh, Veltman, Kongolo, Lens, Huntelaar, Depay, Krul.

I reckon there might be a change to the Dutch starting XI here. Wesley Sneijder grimaces as he clutches the back of his right hamstring in the warm up. Looks like he has pinged it. Boss Louis van Gaal puts a comforting arm around the playmaker's shoulder as he limps down the tunnel.

But you've got to admire Luiz Felipe Scolari's courage in the face of such vitriol. He has tried his very best to big up this game.

"When I was coach of Portugal we lost the World Cup third-place play-off against Germany in 2006. I saw how much that German team valued the third-place and how much they have worked since then to make it where they are," he says.

"I will change a few things. I have some players who have played very little at the World Cup. But I will only put players in who I feel will help us win the match."

Judging by the public reaction to the tannoy man reading out his name, Big Phil Scolari is on borrowed time. He was also given a good booing by the home fans. Ouch.

Image source, AP

To paraphrase The Clash's most famous lyric - should he stay or should he go? Following the humiliating 7-1 defeat by Germany, Luiz Felipe Scolari's future as Brazil coach has been subject to great debate in the host nation.

"I know my career will be marked by this defeat but we have an obligation to move on, thinking about the next goal, which in this case is the match for third place in Brasilia," says Big Phil.

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

Awww poor Fred. The Brazil striker can't buy a goal, was made the scapegoat after the Germany thrashing and now suffers the ignominy of having his name jeered when it is read out on the team-sheet. Maybe they just don't like his Freddie Mercury-style moustache.

Barcelona stars, past and present, exchanging a few words on the Estadio Nacional touchline. Dutch assistant coach Patrick Kluivert puts a consoling arm around Neymar as the pair chew the fat.

Image source, AP

Of course, no matter how much we try to dress this up - and boy, how has Luiz Felipe Scolari tried to - tonight's game is further humiliation for Brazil.

As if the 7-1 thumping by Germany wasn't bad enough, the sense of shame and embarrassment felt by the home nation has been further heightened by arch-rivals Argentina reaching the final. And not only that, but the final takes place in the Maracana - the footballing altar worshipped by 200m-plus Brazilians.

It is the sporting equivalent of thinking you were a dead cert for your dream job, getting annihilated in the interview and then seeing the smarmy guy in the office get the nod instead. Brutal.

Just to clarify, Neymar has not made a miraculous recovery. The Samba poster boy claimed he feared he could have been paralysed after fracturing a vertebra in his spine in the quarter-final win against Colombia.

He's not named on the bench, he's effectively the Brazilian mascot tonight. Kitted out John Terry-style....

Image source, AFP

Plenty of jeers from the stands as the rest of the Dutch squad jog out on to the lush turf. Now here come the Brazilians. Are they going to be spared? Their players exchanges hugs and handshakes in the tunnel - nervous faces all round. And here comes a full-kitted Neymar! Surely not.

Thiago Silva leads out his players - huge cheers from the home fans. But the biggest, shrieking, ear-splitting cheer is reserved for Neymar, who gingerly trots out to the bench, waving to his adoring fans. It's like being at a One Direction gig. I would imagine...

Pick up your mobile, fire up your tablet, switch on your laptop. Whichever is your preferred means of communication - here's your chance to sound off.

How do you see tonight's match going? Will wounded Brazil salvage some pride? Or will the Dutch give Louis van Gaal a decent send off?

Also, let's have a bit of fun. Brazil don't want to be here. The Netherlands don't want to be here. So why don't you 'fess up to those occasions when you've had to go somewhere where you really didn't want to be? Don't be shy - it'll only be between me, you and a few hundred thousand others...

Tweet using #bbcworldcup, text 81111 or post on our Facebook page., external

Image source, Getty Images

There's also plenty of colour inside the sun-soaked stadium, with smiles accompanying the faces of those wearing yellow in the stands. Two Brazilian lovebirds are laughing and smooching as they hold up banners for the cameras - looks like someone is going to be unhappy later...

A healthy splash of Dutch orange is across the stands too, their three goalkeepers also receiving plenty of vocal support as they emerge from the tunnel.

Very interesting Tim - and it appears that the Brazil fans already inside the Estadio Nacional are hell-bent on getting behind the Selecao. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar looks apprehensive as he prepares to stroll out into the Brasilia sunshine, sharing a big bear-hug with comrades Jefferson and Victor, before going out to face the music. The QPR man need not worry. The trio get a rousing reception from the home fans.

Tim Vickery
BBC Sport's South American football expert

Image source, Getty Images

"Tonight is an opportunity to claw back a little bit of lost pride for Brazil, although nothing will wipe away the black stain of that astonishing defeat.

"During the tournament, a lot of supermarket staff were wearing yellow shirts in support of their team - that stopped the day after that 7-1 defeat.

"How many yellow shirts will be inside the stadium, how will the people inside the stadium treat the team - is is going to be very interesting to see that atmosphere."

Brazil starting XI: Julio Cesar, Thiago Silva (c), David Luiz, Paulinho, Oscar, Maxwell, Ramires, Luis Gustavo, Willian, Jo, Maicon.

Netherlands starting XI: Cillessen, Vlaar, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind, Van Persie (c), Sneijder, Robben, Kuyt, Clasie, Wijnaldum.

Irrelevant. Soul destroying. Meaningless. These are just a few of the words being bandied about to describe the much-maligned World Cup third place play-off.

Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal says having to turn up to Brasilia tonight to face the host nation is unfair. "This match should never be played. I've been saying that for 10 years," moans the Manchester United-bound manager.

Come on, folks. Let's not stick the boot into an occasion that's down on its luck. Repeat after me: "Tonight is going to be fun. Tonight is going to be fun. Tonight is going to be...".

Image source, Getty Images

Splitting up with your partner and having to turn up at a mutual friend's wedding together.

Falling out with your bass player but still having to play that big, money-spinning gig.

Getting mullered in a World Cup semi-final and then having to play the other losers just a few days later.

There are certain occasions in life that we dread - but we know we have to turn up and do the business. Today, it is the turn of Brazil and the Netherlands to bite the bullet....