The opening match of Brazil 2014 is upon us as the hosts take on Croatia in Corinthians Arena, Sao Paulo. The Samba boys are in group A alongside Croatia, Mexico and Cameroun. Brazil will want to make a powerful statement of intent here but Croatia aren’t exactly minnows as they are 18th in the FIFA ranking. That said, it is basically Brazil plus one that will qualify from this group. History is also on Brazil’s side as the host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game. The twenty previous hosts won 14 and drew 6 of their opening fixtures. That must sound scary to the Croats.

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TEAM NEWS:

Luiz Scolari heads into the tournament with a stable starting eleven. Poster boy Neymar has recovered from the knock that had the country holding its breath and will start on the left side of attack with Hulk on the right and Fred leading the attack. Oscar is Scolari’s first choice in the #10 role but the Chelsea man might find himself on the bench if he continues in this indifferent vein of form.

Croatia will play their toughest match in the tournament without their best forward in Mario Mandzukic. The Bayern Munich striker is suspended following a red card in the playoff match against Iceland back in November. Brazil born Eduardo is likely to lead the attack for the Croats but Ivica Olic could also be given the task.

Odds Comparison:

Brazil	1.33	1.30	1.31	1.29	1.33	1.30
Draw	5.00	5.00	4.85	5.00	5.00	5.00
Croatia	11.00	10.00	11.00	11.00	11.00	10.00

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Key Battle:

Whoever is tasked with marking Brazilian wonder boy Neymar is in for a torrid time. Shaktar’s Darijo Srna is expected to play on the right side of defence, making him that man. The Shaktar Donetsk defender might have to curb his tendency to bomb forward in this game. Taking Neymar out of a game is a difficult task and Srna will need to be helped by centre backs Dejan Lovren and Vedran Corluka as Neymar likes to cut inside to be a goal threat.

ONE TO WATCH

Everyone knows Neymar and almost the entire Brazil team. Everyone knows Champions League winner Luka Modric but one player who the wider audience might not know much about is Inter Milan youngster Mateo Kovacic. ‘Little Mozart’ as he is called by the Italian press can take control of a match on his day. He orchestrates a match from the No 10 position and despite his young age (19) might just get a look in against the Brazilians.

PREDICTION

I have to say that the odds are overwhelmingly in Brazil’s favour. They’re the hosts and they have an array of superstars to call upon should things look like they’re going wrong. Croatia have a decent starting eleven but no bench and the only way they can knick this is to score first (which is no easy task) and defend like their lives depended on it. The only World Cup match in which the two side met ended 1-0 in Brazil’s favour with Kaka netting the winner in 2006.

Prediction: Brazil 3 – 1 Croatia at $15 + Get a $200 FREE BET with Bet365

TEAMS

Teams will be added once they are announced.