World Cup hosts Brazil have not performed in their first two games like a team worthy of being a +300 favorite to win the entire tournament. But despite their uneven performances, the Selecao are still on course to finish top of the group, as we predicted in our Group A preview.
Brazil will look to end the group stage on a high when they meet a very disappointing Cameroon team ready to put this World Cup experience behind them.
For more on Group A, check out our preview and prediction for the game that could define the group, Monday’s Mexico vs. Croatia fixture. In the meantime, read on for more on Brazil’s final group game.
Brazil vs. Cameroon, World Cup 2014, Group Stage Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Estadio Nacional Mané Garrincha, Brasilia, Brazil
When: June 23, 4:00 PM ET
Line: Brazil -1,068 at Cameroon +1,113, tie +217 – view all World Cup odds
What’s at stake
A win makes Brazil group winners. If case Mexico also wins, Brazil would need to match or exceed Mexico’s winning margin in order to retain the tie breaker. If Mexico draws with Croatia, a draw should also be enough for Brazil to qualify as group winner. And if Croatia defeats Mexico, a draw sends Brazil through but only as group runner-up behind Croatia.
For the already-eliminated Cameroon, all that’s left at stake is pride.
Betting on Brazil
Suddenly, Brazil’s not looking so hot after two straight sub-par performances against Croatia and Mexico. The hosts needed a dubious penalty decision to get past Croatia, and while they were unfortunate to go up against Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa having the game of his life, the issues going forward were still painfully evident.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Brazil’s issues started at the very top with a misfiring Fred. After starring in last year’s Confederation’s Cup, Fred has hardly contributed anything to the team thus far in the tournament. He was duly substituted against Mexico, where his replacement Jo had a much more positive impact on the game.
There’s also the issue of who plays on the right side of the Brazilian attack. Hulk was conspicuously absent from the starting lineup against Mexico, possibly due to a lack of fitness. Ramires was unable to provide any attacking threat in his place, which may prompt manager Luiz Scolari to experiment with other possible replacements in Willian and Bernard in that position.
But despite all their perceived shortcomings, Neymar, Oscar and co. should still be too strong against Cameroon in a game Brazil can use to find some smoother form. Aside from the very large matter of sealing top spot in the group, Brazil will be motivated to put on its most convincing showing to date against by far the weakest team in hopes of jumpstarting a team currently short on confidence.
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Betting on Cameroon
It’s been yet another World Cup to forget for Cameroon. After losing all three games in the 2010 World Cup, the Indomitable Lions seem destined for a similar fate this tournament. They’re coming off one of their worst performances to date in a truly embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Croatia on Thursday.
Alex Song, supposedly one of the team’s most experienced veterans, will not be available for Brazil after he was sent off for pointlessly elbowing Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic in the back. His ejection near the end of the first half led to Cameroon’s second half implosion and culminated in defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto head-butting a teammate.
Cameroon will also be without all-time leading scorer Samuel Eto’o for their final group game. The 33-year old striker is still suffering from a knee injury. Without two of their most experienced players, the Indomitable Lions will have a difficult time coping with Brazil on both sides of the ball.
Barring any fluke occurrence, Cameroon is highly unlikely to come away with a shock victory. The Africans haven’t even recorded a single goal in the competition in two games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Brazilians put the finishing touches on a miserable World Cup campaign for Cameroon as the hosts record a comfortable win. In such a lop-sided game, value is available on Brazil’s -2.5 spread, which pays at -110 if Brazil win by three or more.
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