Finally, the waiting is over. Countries all around the world are holding their collective breaths as the most important football tournament in the world gets underway. Welcome one and all to the FIFA World Cup 2014. This year’s hosts are Brazil, recognised as the best football team in the history of international football, so perhaps it is fitting that the tournament begins with them. Pitted against Croatia however, the Samba Stars must not consider themselves nailed on to win it, even though most bookies are laying odds in their favour.
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Preview:
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.
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
Odds Comparison:
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| 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.
EXPECTED LINE UPS:
BRAZIL:
Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar
Defenders: Marcelo, Dani Alves, David Luiz, Thiago Silva
Midfielders: Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo, Oscar
Forwards: Neymar, Hulk, Fred
Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
CROATIA:
Goalkeeper: Pletikosa
Defenders: Darijo Srna, Dejan Lovren, Vedran Corluka, Danijel Pranjic
Midfielders: Oggnjen Vukojenic, Luka Modric, Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Rakitic
Forward: Ivica Olic
Manager: Nico Kovac