Fireworks are bound to fly on the fourth of July when World Cup hosts Brazil take on their red-hot South American neighbors Colombia in the quarterfinals.
Brazil were pushed to the absolute brink by another South American team, Chile, in their Round of 16 matchup, but the hosts squeaked their way to the quarterfinals in a dramatic penalty shootout. Meanwhile, Colombia had a far easier ride as superstar-in-the-making James Rodriguez fired them past a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay to reach the last eight for the first time ever.
Colombia has been incredible going forward, but the Netherlands has arguably been the class of this quarter of the World Cup bracket. Check out our Netherlands vs. Costa Rica preview and read on for more on this sizzling South American showdown.
[sc:Soccer ]Brazil vs. Colombia, World Cup 2014, Quarterfinal Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza, Brazil
When: Friday, July 4, 2014, 4:00 PM ET
Line: Brazil -130 vs. Colombia +272, tie +260; total 2.5 – view all World Cup lines
Betting on Brazil
Brazil has both goalkeeper Julio Cesar and the frame of his goal to thank for keeping its team’s World Cup hopes alive. Cesar made a couple of huge saves, while the post kept Chile’s final penalty out as the hosts emerged winners in a thrilling shootout.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Brazil still hasn’t produced the type of performance expected out of the supposed favorites to win the competition. Their play against Chile left much to be desired. Even their wins against Croatia and Cameroon in the group stage were not entirely convincing.
Their problems up front still haven’t been resolved. Neymar (four goals in four matches) has done his best to carry the attack, but he hasn’t received the necessary support from his fellow forwards. Fred has been missing in action all tournament long, while midfielder Oscar has gone silent after a bright start.
Brazil will be sweating the fitness of Neymar after the forward suffered a thigh injury during their grueling battle with Chile. Having their star playmaker operating at a less than 100% will be a major blow to an offense already sputtering as it is.
Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari will have to find goals from somewhere against Colombia, especially if Brazil’s defense is unable to contain its opponents’ free-scoring offense. Stopping the Colombians will be a fair bit harder to accomplish now that Luiz Gustavo, the team’s very important defensive midfielder, will be suspended after picking up a second yellow card against Chile.
Gustavo would’ve been the player tasked with keeping an eye on Colombia’s danger man, James Rodriguez. In his place, Scolari will likely bring in Paulinho, who had lost his spot in the starting line-up after struggling mightily in the group stage.
Betting on Colombia
In a matter of four World Cup matches, James Rodriguez has gone from being a virtual unknown to being dubbed the next Lionel Messi. After matching the Argentine master’s feat of scoring in each of the three group matches, Rodriguez surpassed Messi with a terrific two-goal performance to power Colombia’s 2-0 win over Uruguay in the Round of 16.
His five goals currently have him leading the race for the World Cup Golden Boot, ahead of Messi, Neymar and Germany’s Thomas Muller, who have four goals each.
The first of Rodriguez’s two goals, a sublime volley from the edge of the penalty area, is a contender for goal of the tournament, and displayed his ability to essentially win a match with a Messi-like moment of magic. These are the split-second moments that Brazil, like Uruguay, would have very little defense against.
Although Rodriguez is grabbing all the headlines, don’t make the mistake of branding Colombia as a one-man team. In fact, they’re playing more like how many expected Brazil or Argentina to perform: with contributions all across the board. Strikers Teofilo Gutierrez and Jackson Martinez have three goals between them, while winger Juan Cuadrado has a goal and four assists, the most so far in the tournament.
With Luiz Gustavo out suspended, Rodriguez may have more time and space with which to work against Brazil to make opportunities for both himself and the rest of his very talented teammates.
The one glaring weakness Colombia had coming into the tournament was its defense, but it has been anything but weak through four matches. Goalkeeper David Ospina has conceded just two goals thus far, with 38-year old captain and centerback Mario Yepes, who was a perceived liability due to his lack of pace, providing solidity at the back.
Writer’s Prediction
Brazil’s lack of form will finally catch up with them as Colombia exposes the Selecao’s shortcomings, especially on defense. Take Colombia (+285) to knock the hosts out of the competition. Create a betting account and place a wager on this potential upset.
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