The 2010 FIFA World Cup final preview | Thebigtip

Holland and Spain are on the cusp of attaining their first ever World Cup crown and both will rightfully fancy their chances as the 19th championship of football comes to a close. With both sides in great form, one takes a look at the decisive factors that could play a vital role in deciding the fortunes of two nations who have underperformed on the world stage until now.

Why Holland will win:

- Since new coach Bert Van Marwijk took over in 2008, the Netherlands have only lost one match in 27 outings, with their last defeat coming against Australia.

- Having won all their six matches, Holland are on course to become the first team in World Cup history to win all seven games if they beat Spain in the final.

- Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder is in fine goalscoring touch, having already found the back of the net 5 times to be the World Cup’s equal topscorer alongside Spain’s David Villa.

- The Netherlands haven’t lost to Spain in 27 years. Holland’s last defeat to the Spanish was way back in 1983 when La Furia Roja won 1 nil in Sevilla.

-  The Dutch are only second to Germany in terms of goals scored at the World Cup. Holland have scored 12 times while Spain have only scored 7.

Why Spain will win:

-  The Netherlands have conceded the most fouls in South Africa, giving away 98 free kicks. Spain will have ample dead ball opportunities to make the Dutch pay on the scoreboard.

-  Spain average 8 corner kicks a game at this World Cup - the most of any nation. Players like Carlos Puyol, David Villa and Sergio Ramos will cause Holland some severe headaches in the penalty area if given the opportunity to do so.

- The Spanish will look to exploit Holland’s ill-discipline, which has seen the side receive 15 bookings - the most of any nation. The Netherlands can ill afford to lose a man against a team which loves to control possession.

- When it comes to possession football, Spain have proven to be near untouchable, completing 81 percent of their passes - the best rate out of any team in the World Cup

- Spain are only second to Germany when it comes to shots taken from inside the penalty area. The European Champions have taken 23 shots which emphasises how good they are at piercing through tight defences.

The World Cup final’s key players

Arjen Robben - Holland

Robben is deadly on the flanks and will provide Sergio Ramos with big problems thanks to his turn of speed, and terrific ball control. If the Bayern Munich winger has space to use his deadly left boot, then the Netherlands may finally go on and win their first World Cup final in three attempts.

Xavi - Spain

The Barcelona midfielder is a master of retaining and distributing possession. If Holland grant him time and space, Xavi will rip the Dutch apart and the likes of David Villa and Andres Iniesta will come in to their own.  If Spain race out to an early lead, Xavi will dictate proceedings effortlessly, and a one-sided World Cup final could be on the cards if the Netherlands fail to nullify his influence in the Spanish midfield.