Group D preview: Van Gaal wary

Both Netherlands and Romania have opened their campaigns to qualify for Brazil with three victories out of three, with Romania winning twice away from home and still yet to concede.

Netherlands is favourite to top the group but Van Gaal is anticipating a difficult tie in Bucharest.

"I would have signed for this start with three wins but I am a bit disappointed about the result of the Turkey v Romania match (Romania won 1-0)," he said.

"I hoped for a draw and now after Romania's win they are on a run which will make it tougher for us."

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie, who was rested for last week's 3-0 win over Andorra, is likely to return in attack for Netherlands but Romania boss Victor Piturca is still targeting a win.

"As I said I want six points from the matches against Turkey and Holland," he said.

"We were outstanding in Turkey and now we must achieve the desired result against the Dutch."

Turkey travels to Hungary looking to get its qualification hopes back on track.

Abdullah Avci's side lost at home to Romania after picking up a win against Estonia earlier in the season.

Coupled with an opening-round defeat to Netherlands, Avci will be aware that anything less that a win in Hungary would make qualification difficult, even at this early stage.

The other Group D fixture is a battle between the two nations yet to collect any points.

Estonia travels to Andorra and neither side has scored in the qualification stages to date, although a win for either side would keep them in touch with the rest of the group.