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Brazil
- Backed by an anticipative home crowd, Scolari's samba stars have unsurprisingly been made 3/1 favourites to win the tournament by William Hill.
- Defensively, the Brazilians are fortified with the experience of four Champions League veterans in Dani Alves, Dante, Thiago Silva and Marcelo - they're back line looks almost impenetrable
- If Scolari opts for two holding midfielders, the energy of Fernandinho and flair of David Luiz provides the home nation with an intriguing concoction of styles in the midfield
- Up top, the Seleção are armed with this years' second favourite to bag the Golden Boot - Neymar. On home turf, the 22-year-old prodigy has the perfect opportunity to demonstrate his class.
Key Player
Neymar
(Neymar led his side to the Confederations Cup two years ago)
Possible line-up
Croatia
- Niko Kovač has an undeniable wealth of talent available to him, but their conduct in the World Cup qualifiers almost cost them a flight to Brazil this summer. A 2-0 play-off victory over international amateurs Iceland kept their South American dreams alive, but at 200-1, not many bear hopes for the Vatreni.
- Defensively, the Croatians are strong and approach the World Cup with the experience of captain Darijo Srna and the form of Southampton star Dejan Lovren. However, rigidity will be key against the blurry tippy-toes of Neymar and co.
- In the middle of Kovač's midfield, two European trophy winning gurus will stake their claim for the Player of the Tournament accolade. If Croatia are to emerge from Group A, Real Madrid's Luka Modrić and soon-to-be Barcelona's Ivan Rakitić will have to maintain the form that guided their respective teams to silverware last term.
- 29 goal Mario Mandžukić will miss his side's opener through suspension, but his strength and aerial prowess in the 18-yard-box provides the Vatreni with yet another exciting option.
Key Player
Ivan Rakitić
(Rakitić captained Sevilla to a historical Europa League win last season)
Possible line-up
Prediction
Although I expect Croatia to qualify and possibly even establish themselves as dark horses for the competition, the opening ceremony will pierce the Brazilian national squad with pride. This could be a rout.
Brazil 4-1 Croatia
