Libreville, Thursday, 6pm, live on ITV
A BUSY week of internationals starts on Thursday in Gabon where Brazil are the visitors.
The game will be a huge deal to the country who are looking forward to co-hosting the African Nations Cup next year.
But how will they cope with the Brazilians – or should we say second-string Brazilians.
Boss Mano Menezes has included new boys such as Willian, Alex Sandro, Bruno Cesar, Dudu and Kleber for this friendly and another in Egypt next week.
The likes of Ronaldinho, Neymar, Fred, Lucas, Kaka, Dani Alves and Thiago Silva are all missing so it could go both ways. Either the young South Americans will impress or they'll freeze.
Hopefully it's the former but on recent results Gabon, ranked 68th in the world, won't be routed.
Brazil have netted more than three goals just once in 16 outings and have kept four clean sheets in their last five games.
We saw against Scotland last summer that the Brazilians like to play some clever stuff without the cutting edge the past masters possessed.
Having said that they are a biggest 1-3 with Ladbrokes while Gabon are 11-1 at Chandler.
To me it looks like a 1-0 (6-1, Ladbrokes) or 2-0 (22-5,Chandler) away win. Under 2.5 goals is also worth a look at 21-20 at Chandler.
Brazil -1 will be a popular punt and pays 10-11 at Ladbrokes and Paddy Power. It's not a given but if you're confident you might want to look at Gabon +2 at 10-11 at boylesports.
None of the midfielders or strikers in the Brazil squad have scored for their country. Kleber is 9-2 favourite at Coral but one to consider could Lazio midfielder Anderson Herman Hernanes.
He has netted 14 in 44 games for Lazio and is 9-1 at Ladbrokes to hit the opener.
Gabon have a handful of French-based stars in their squad and their line will be led by skipper Daniel Cousin, once of Rangers. He is 12-1 at bet365 to break the deadlock.
Recommendations
Brazil -1
(10-11, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)
Hernanes to score first
(9-1, Ladbrokes)
Under 2.5 goals
(21-20, Chandler)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
