2014 World Cup: Brazil vs Croatia preview

June 11, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Brazil vs CroatiaThe 2014 World Cup kicks off at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, with hosts Brazil hoping to start their campaign with a bang.

However, Croatia go into the game in confident mood, hoping to spoil the party for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side and edge closer to the knockout stages.

The long wait for the start of the tournament on home soil is finally over, but the general impression is the Seleccao are not exactly at 100% at the moment.

Despite winning their last nine international friendlies, Brazil look a bit rusted in their final warm-up game against Serbia, and they were somewhat fortunate to record a 1-0 triumph.

Attacking midfielder Oscar was especially disappointing, just like Tottenham’s Paulinho, but it appears Luiz Felipe Scolari is reluctant to make any changes to his starting line-up based on current form.

The good news is that starting striker Fred scored another fine goal, and he is now 2.43 (10/7) to continue his scoring form against Croatia.

Even if Brazil have struggled of late, they remain 1.33 (1/3) favourites to win their opening fixture, but the game against Vatreni will be anything but a walk in the park.

Neymar is expected to start in spite of an ankle injury he picked up in training, while there are no other worries for Scolari at the moment.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Julio Cesar – Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo – Paulinho, Gustavo – Hulk, Oscar, Neymar – Fred.

Despite boasting a star-studded squad, Croatia experienced all sorts of problems since Slaven Bilic withdrew from the post, and national team chiefs had to bring in Niko Kovac following some disappointing results in the qualifiers.

Vatreni eventually secured their place at the tournament finals via the play-offs and they have since showed a considerable improvement.

While sharing spoils with Switzerland back in March, Croatia defeated Mali and Australia in their final two warm-up fixtures, hinting there may be value in backing them not to lose the opening match, at odds of 3.40 (12/5) offered at Ladbrokes.

New boss Niko Kovac has had his share of problems as Ivo Ilicevic and Niko Kranjcar were ruled out of the tournament through injury while Josip Simunic was slapped with a ten-match ban, with Milan Badelj also left out due to an adductor problem.

However, with Ivan Mocinic suffering an ankle damage, the coach has asked FIFA to recall Milan Badelj for the tournament finals.

Right-back Sime Vrsaljko is likely to start on the left after Danijel Pranjic picked up an injury, whilst Mario Mandzukic misses out through suspension.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Pletikosa – Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko – Brozovic – Rakitic, Modric, Kovacic, Perisic – Olic.

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