England vs. Netherlands: 6 Key Battles for Wembley Friendly

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England takes on the Netherlands tomorrow at Wembley Stadium.

This is the first friendly for either team this year and they will both be looking to start off 2012 on a positive note. Euro 2012 is just a few months away and these participants will want to use friendlies like these to hone their teams.

Though this is only a friendly, there may some key battles that will have an impact on the outcome of the game and help either coach make decisions on their future team selections.

Here are six key battles for this Wembley friendly.

Robin Van Persie vs. Gary Cahill

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This battle will pit one of the most in-form strikers across Europe against a defender low on international experience and still yet to display his best.

Robin van Persie may not play the whole game, with the likes of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Luuk de Jong behind him, but he will be up against Gary Cahill when he is on.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk has said he would like to rely on his key players and you could expect van Persie to get the nod at forward.

Ashley Cole vs. Arjen Robben

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Arjen Robben could get the nod as Bert van Marwijk may want to see the player can return to his best on the international stage.

Robben has a lot of experience but he has a very tough opponent in Ashley Cole.

Cole has been his usual solid self in an unusually frail Chelsea defense and he may be able to comfortably handle an off-form Robben. His experience will be key in the England defense and he will be set with the task of shutting down one of the Netherlands' most dangerous men.

Scott Parker vs. Wesley Sneijder

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Scott Parker has been very solid for Tottenham and he will most likely be asked to shadow Netherlands orchestrator Wesley Sneijder.

Sneijder has not shown the same type of form that the world saw at the 2010 World Cup and before. Bert van Marwijk may play the Inter Milan midfielder in the hope that he begins to find his form.

With a younger team on display, England will need players like Parker to fulfill their defensive duties to help the team win.

Steven Gerrard vs. Mark Van Bommel

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It's another midfield battle here and it's more important for England on the offensive end. Whether he lines up behind the forward or in a more usual central midfield role, Steven Gerrard will be expected to drive the team's attacks.

Mark van Bommel's lack of place may work against him in this encounter but he is very sound tactically and will make sure Gerrard has to work to find space.

Theo Walcott vs. Erik Pieters

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This matchup features two young players who still have a lot to prove on the international stage.

Theo Walcott has a varying degree of performances for both club and country, but he has the upper hand in this battle.

Erik Pieters just started playing for the Netherlands in 2010 and while he has done a solid job during the team's impressive qualifying campaign, he will have to be at his best on Wednesday.

Joris Mathijsen vs. Danny Welbeck

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Experience vs. youth is what we see here. Danny Welbeck certainly some good finishing as well as the the pace and power to trouble defenders.

If he is on his game, he may get the better of a slower player like Joris Mathijsen.

Mathijsen has plenty of experience though and with the likes of John Heitinga beside him, he will have help if necessary.