2014 World Cup: Brazil vs Colombia Preview

July 3, 2014
By: Deke Hardman

Neymar

Friday’s World Cup action concludes in Fortaleza as host national Brazil face Colombia in the second of the tournament’s quarter finals.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side needed a penalty shoot out to get past Chile in their round of sixteen tie in Belo Horizonte last Saturday, having taken seven points from nine in their group fixtures with victories over Croatia and Cameroon either side of a goalless draw with Mexico.

Star man Neymar is the Selecao’s only injury concern ahead of the game as he struggles to shake off a knee problem, and a decision on whether or not to play the Barcelona striker will be left until the last minute.

The 22 year old, who has four goals in the tournament so far and scored the decisive penalty in the last round, is favourite to open the scoring at 5.0 (4/1) with William Hill, with Fred a 8.0 (7/1) shot with the same firm.

The five-time World Champions are favourites to win the match in ninety minutes, with William Hill offering the best price of 1.91 (10/11) while Colombia are as highly priced as the 4.75 (15/4) on offer from Bet 365. The draw is a 3.75 (11/4) chance with Betfred.

Colombia eased past Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, beating them by two goals to nil to book their place in the last eight while in the group stages, they were one of just four sides to take maximum points from all three of their games.

Manager Jose Pekerman has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the tie, so may well stick with the same eleven who started last time out.

James Rodriguez, who with five goals is currently leading the chase for the Golden Boot, is generously priced at 10.0 (9/1) with a variety of firms to get the first goal of the game, with Jackson Martinez an 11.0 (10/1) chance with Bet 365.

The past four meetings between the sides have finished all square, with three of those four matches ending goalless.

Six of the games in the last round were 0-0 at half-time, so you may be tempted to back that outcome here at a price of 2.75 (7/4) with Paddy Power.

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