ALL eyes will be on hosts Brazil tonight as they kick off World Cup 2014 against Croatia.
I believe Brazil will go all the way to the Final even though the silky skills of great past teams have been replaced by a dogged defence … Neymar.
The Barcelona striker is the one superstar in the side and if he performs to his best can carry them all the way to the Final while at the back the hosts don't give much away.
Felipe Scolari’s side are 3-1 favourites across the board to triumph but will have to prove they can handle the pressure.
The heat and humidity won’t be a problem for the South Americans and it’s why I've tipped a Brazil v Argentina on July 13 and that would be some occasion.
Picking a winner this year isn’t easy because there isn’t an outstanding team but I’m on Argentina at a best 4-1 at William Hill and others.
I watched Brazil’s pre-tournament friendlies against Panama and Serbia and while two wins made it 14 out of 15 I was struck by the lack of flair. And in seven matches they have conceded just one goal.
But that’s the Scolari way and Neymar apart you’re going to see more sweat than substance from the hosts.
Neymar banged the opener against Panama and Fred hit the goal against the Serbs so it’s a toss-up between the pair for first scorer. I’ll go Neymar at 4-1 with Ladbrokes as he's a man for the big occasion while Fred is 9-2 with bet365 and Paddy Power.
Brazil’s defence is solid and Scolari likes clean sheets just as much as Brazilians love the beach so consider his side to win to nil at 10-11 at Betfred.
Croatia lost twice to Scotland in qualifying without scoring and they are without banned star striker Mario Mandzukic so that’s three reasons not to back them. They looked pedestrian in their final warm-up against Australia with Hull's Nikica Jelavic hitting the only goal.
The ex-Rangers striker poses their biggest threat and is 13-2 at bet365 and McBookie to score at any time.
Brazil are no bigger than 1-3 at William Hill and others to win tonight and I can’t see them slipping up.
An early goal will ease nerves and get the crowd on their side. If that doesn’t happen fans could become impatient and rattle their favourites but Croatia aren’t good enough to cause major problems so for me it’s a 1-0, 2-0 or even 3-0 Brazil victory if they net quickly.
Brazil minus one pays 1-1 at Paddy Power and they are a best 1-4 at Coral to top Group A.
Recommended Bets
Brazil to win to nil
(10-11, Betfred)
Neymar to score first
(4-1, Ladbrokes)
Brazil to win 1-0
(9-2, Ladbrokes)
Brazil to win 2-0
(5-1, Ladbrokes)
Already advised
Argentina to win World Cup
(4-1, general)
Brazil v Argentina final
(11-1, Ladbrokes)
Messi top scorer
(8-1, Betfred, Ladbrokes)
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In December 2020 we sadly 
I’m expecting a very tight, cagey game and I like the look of under 1.5 goals at 5/2 with a smaller bet on no goalscorer at 10/1. I could be spectacularly wrong but I can see the pressure telling on Brazil and Scolari will be desperate to keep a clean sheet.
12 noon Even money Brazil at W.Hill
William hill are giving even money for Brazil to beat Croatia. First 50,000 bets upto a maximum of £20
David, sorry you’re the 50,001th person to make this comment!
Great Offer from WH to bet the World Cup ball rolling, just placed my £20, easy money
Brazil games last WC were 8-4 8-6 7-4 4-3 & 7-3 on corners. The 4-3 was a 3-1 win over Ivory Coast.
Croatia last WC was in 2006 but had a tough Euro 12 group with Spain Ireland and Italy. They finished 4-11 to Spain, 3-4 to Italy & 7-1 against Ireland.
Given this is WC is in Brazil and they’ll want to get the fans on their side from the off the 4/5 for RT7 corners is good enough for me to get off to a good start. No corner stats available when Brazil beat 1-0 in WC 2006, should be a different scoreline being in SA.
I’m gonna give friendlies and qualifying campaigns a bye in research as they don’t really mean much to the main event, even though it’s only every 4 years teams like Brazil don’t change much and haven’t had too qualify. Teams from same continent will be different.
Other bets in with a chance are Brazil RT9 9/4, Brazil -3.0 asian corners 1.800 (4/5) & corner before 9.00 mins 5/6 NB.
BRAZIL RT7 4/5 NAP
CORNER BEFORE 9 MINS 5/6 NB
Dnt think croatia will win but their ridiculous odds.happy world cup day everyone
Rick, if you think that then back them to lay. I saw Scotland beat Croatia home and away and that’s enough reason for me to shy away from them. Right off to walk the dog and start thinking about Friday’s tips.
I don’t think its as much of a forgone conclusion as people may think. Although brazil should win they don’t always start well, and the fact that w hill are doing promos on a brazil win at evens should tell you that its not a dead cert…
How you’s doing, just got Evens @ William Hill for Brazil to Beat Croatia. £1 Million Special – Limited Availability – 50,000 Bets – £20 Max – Singles Only
Boom got brazil at evens.wasnt gonna bet on matches but cant turn this one down
Apologies Mr F, never realised/noticed. Obviously/Of course we’re all on it.
For anyone who is thinking of a Croatia win.
The hosts have NEVER lost their opening game of a World Cup. 70% are wins and 30% are draw.
In the 20 games the hosts and co-hosts have opened their World Cup campaigns with, they’ve amassed a record of 14 wins, six draws and zero defeats. What’s most remarkable about the host nations’ successful run is the fact that – very often – the hosts aren’t the traditional superpowers of the game.
v07, your stats actually support a bet on the draw in this game. Odds of 5.80 for the draw (Marathonbet) represent a 17.2% chance of the game ending in a draw. So if you say that 30% of the opening games ended in a draw, purely from the historical point of view, these odds would be value.
Apart from this, why the hell would Williamhill put up a offer that would be beneficial for us and not for them? Try to put yourselves into the bookmakers shoes…no bookmaker would put up such an offer if they didn’t believe Croatia have a realistic chance of getting a result here. I will most likely give this match a miss..however, if I were to bet on something it would be either the draw @ 5.80 or AH +1.5 on Croatia @ 2.05
Rick, and this is exactly what Williamhill aimed to do! To get people who didn’t really want to bet on matches to snap up their “fantastic offer”
It would have been a fantastic offer if the max bet was £20
Wasn’t*
ive taken brazil to win and under 2.5 goals @ 15/8 with tote surely worth a punt
Free £1 best @Ladbrokes & @PaddyPower in today’s papers. I’ve gone for Alves 3-1 175/1 at PP, would’ve been gutted if never had anything on on it and it came in for todays scorecast comp & Ladbrokes YES/NO coupon at 33/1
Neymar to score Y
Goal befor 27 mins Y
13+ corners N
Brazil last frekick Y
Croatia make last sub N
4+ 2nd half injury mins N
A few weeks ago I fancied Croatia at the odds being touted around but now its here I just cant look past a Brazil win. No Mandzukic to cause a problem for Brazil’s backline. I think if Brazil get an early-ish goal it could be plain sailing for them otherwise there may be extra pressure added to them.
Croatia are no mugs and I fancy them to out-do Mexico in the group but I think they will struggle against the favourites of the group.
I’m going to do a rolling bet each day.
– Todays pick is Brazil over 1.5 team goals at 1/2.
£10 to return £15
Brazil 2-0 Croatia
I got bored when i hit 1962 but BRAZIL have not lost a ‘first team game’ at the WC – from 1962 onward. Only 1 DRAW in 1974 v Yugoslavia. Average results are 2-0 2-1 through all those years, whether it be rubbish teams or outstanding teams like Scotland in 1998…………They beat Peru in 1978 3-0 and Czechoslovakia 4-1 in 1970 but other than that close games..
..Hot humid lots of pressure on the hosts but on the same page as everyone else…
Actually expected Olic or Perisic – the two wolfsburg guys up front for Croatia tonight..but who knows..
Chris Guy
10 hrs, 45 mins ago
BRAZIL VS CROATIA TIPS
I firmly expect Brazil to put on a fine display and start their match all guns blazing. Brazil will want to make their mark early in the World Cup and I see nothing less than a comfortable victory. 3-0 is the call from me with who else but Neymar to score the first goal. I’ll also be on him to net first within 20 mins. Anyone looking for a value Goalscorer then look no further than Dani Alves. The attacking fullback scored in Brazil’s recent friendly against Panama and likes to run up the park. Coral and VC are giving odds of 33/1 to score the first goal. Coral offer 9/2 for Alves to score anytime. Considering you’re getting 33/1 for first goal this is quite a poor price. The same can’t be said for VC who offer a stand out price of 13/1 for Alves to net at anytime. That’s a huge difference and I’ll be sticking a few quid on it. Good luck to everyone today.
Neymar First Goalscorer 7/2 @ Various
Neymar First Goalscorer 1-20 mins 10/1 @ B365
Dani Alves Anytime Goalscorer 13/1 @ VC
Brazil to win 3-0 8/1 @ VC
I really want to jump on that Brazil @ Evens but since pretty much all bookies hate the Philippines, here are my bets:
Brazil HT/FT
Brazil to Win Both Halves
Neymar to score anytime
Buang
A lot of “think it will be a tight game” opinions for tonight.I disagree totally.I personally think Brazil will go all out for the kill, to prove a point to all of the poor Brazilians who have suffered by poverty and hunger that the finances made from visiting fans will all be worth it….Brazil to win by at least 3 goals.
10 out of the last 12 opening matches have had two goals or under and 8 have had one or less.
under 2.5 goals 8-11
under 1.5 goals 11-5
Just thought I will throw out another stat for tomorrow game.
In World Cup history, the defending champions have only won the opening game 53% of the time. The other 23.5% has been draws and the last 23.5% losses.
In the last 10 World Cups, defending champions have failed to win the opening game 7 times.
Fair enough Tony & V007, but stats are there to be broken !!!!!!!!
Or is that meant to be records ha !!!!!!
What do you think about Chile tomorrow night against Australia Mr Fixit? Look like bankers to me. They are 4/5 -1 asian handicap. Same with Uruguay v Costa Rica on Friday night. France v Honduras are 4/6 -1 ah.
Ruby, I’ll be doing daily tips so they’ll be up tomorrow. But I’ve already put Chile on the treble I put up today.
Fred to score 2 or more goals @ 17/2 Ladbrokes
Apparently the bookies are being absolutely hammered with people backing Brazil to win 1-0 and 2-0. Just went to the Ladbrokes down town and they have a coupon with Brazil 1-0 @ 6/1 and 2-0 @ 5/1. The coupon went through @ 4/1 and 9/2 so I told them to forget it. They told me to try the betting machine in the shop as sometimes they have better prices. That was even worse as they were offering 10/3 and 16/5. I went next door to Betfref who are still offering 5/1 for both 1-0 and 2-0.
I added the Brazil / Chile / Uruguay treble. I think its around 2/1 on Betty365
Though I am not underestimating Costa Rica or Honduras. They should be watched out. Costa Rica had an impressive quali..they have a decent defence, they beat both Mexico and USA, and even Klinsmann said they are a very good team. Both teams are quite structured and solid, if lacking forward magic so they could steal a surprise point here and there.
…..and if they cant steal a point they should get a goal here or there..Australia are the weakest side for me in relation to their group. Could be whipped.
William Hill also have Neymar First Goal @ 4/1 and they will refund up to £50 as a free bet if he fails to score the first goal but scores second. That’s a decent offer.
Its only 20quid but very happy with evens for samba lads
Hi Chris, ok is that a standard offer so just place first goal scorer. Deposited 20 for free bet, but got pissed off waiting for brazil odds to go evens from 1.3 but was hidden under specials it seems. (On the mobile like – site jammed)
Go for that then ta
Gary
Over 2.5 goals easy shocking displays from Croatia as of recents will be on 3-0 4-0 all day it’s gunna be messy guys neymar will absolutely devastate there keeper and defence Croatia will not be able to breath buy 70 mins late goals will be the key hear you just watch
Not till sat but opinions on columbia at 4/5 v greece?
Have placed 3 bets…
Over 5 fh corners @ 5/4
Over 10 match corners @ 5/6
BTTS @ 7/4
Although its extremely likely Brazil will win this, they are sometimes exposed in defence so the price looks generous on BTTS
I’m planning to place 1 bet for each game of the world cup with relatively high oddsand hope for nice return. One market is especially interesting for me in the opening game of the tournament.
FIDDLER’S BEST BET OF THE GAME :
BRAZIL – CROATIA
over 1.5 first half goals
2/1
Good luck
Brazil v Croatia – line-ups
Cesar; Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.
Pletikosa; Srna, Corluka, Lovren, Vrsaijko; Brozovic, Modric; Rakitic, Perisic, Olic; Jelavic.
I’m planning to place 1 bet for each game of the world cup with relatively high oddsand hope for nice return. One market is especially interesting for me in the opening game of the tournament.
FIDDLER’S BEST BET OF THE GAME :
BRAZIL – CROATIA
over 1.5 first half goals
2/1
Good luck
——————————–
BET WON :)
Great shout on Neymar 1st goal too!
Neymar next goal n 2-1 10s at Laddies
Brazil need to improve big time
ref has handed this one to brazil. Never a pen and never a foul on Cesar. Just shocking keeping
I’ll take the win tho )…hopefully
Brazil @ Evens (William Hill Special) Win
Not been pretty but BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM for my over 3.5 Goals
That stank. FIFA obviously very keen for the hosts to win this. Not even close to being a pen! Bad taste in the mouth first game!
Hi everyone I had bet on 3-1 neymar to score first does my bet still count or is it just correct score payout
mr mad betman, still counts as OGs are void in that case.
Brazil to win and btts @ 3/1
*WIN*
Good start to the tourney for me!
Mr Mad, should still count as 1st goal was OG…Well done m8 !!!!
Doesnt matter know just checked my betting slip mudt be error on coupon when put bet on got odds of 28/1 @ betfred coupon but checked my ticket and bet says 2-1 but defo marked 3-1 on slip just 28/1 seems very high for 2-1 neymar I think the error on coupon but suopose I should have checked my slip before leaving
Massive let off for Brazil tonight and this is why I haven’t backed them at 3’s. Ref saved them big time. Croatia looked very good and matched Brazil most of the game. I predicted Brazil and Croatia to qualify and nothings changed my mind on that verdict after tonight. I can see Croatia scoring a couple against Mexico and Cameroon when Mandzukic comes back. I was surprised at the number of decent chances they created to be fair.
Exciting and intriguing first game. Brazil will do alright but they wont win it.
First rolling bet comes in:
Brazil over 1.5 team goals £10 returned £15.
Craigyboy, what did you think when Spain got beat of Switzerland four years ago?
Come on Gianni..Look at Spain’s squad compared to Brazil’s squad. Granted shock results occur but Spain’s quality was always going to shine through. My point is I would concur that Brazil’s squad is one of the strongest in the tournament (and as I have mentioned I expect them to get to the semi-finals) but the added weight of expectation is going to be too much for them when it gets to the quarters and the semis. Added to that they are 3/1 suggests they are too short to back with no E/W value either.
Jh
Bet for tomorrow, chile aussies over 2.5 at evens, even without vidal chile could get a hat full.
marcelo OG destroyed my bets. HT/FT and Brazil to win both halves