World Cup Odds Preview Group A: Brazil Under Pressure to Sweep the Group

Brazil is under huge pressure on home soil, but the hosts are unlikely to hit too many bumps in a relatively gentle Group A, writes Ricky Rothstein.

World Cup 2014 Group A Odds
Brazil +291
Mexico +16500
Croatia +17200
Cameroon +75000

Brazil
World Cup Outright Odds: +291

Qualification/World Cup History:
There will be no team under as much pressure as Brazil at this World Cup. The county has spent a huge amount of money to host both the World Cup and the Olympics in 2016, but everybody knows this is the one they have to win. As hosts, Brazil didn’t have to qualify, and a record in friendlies don’t provide a reliable form guide. In Brazil’s favor, there isn’t really anyone in the Group who’s likely to catch the hosts cold.

Player to Watch
Neymar, Neymar, Neymar. More is expected of the man wearing the Number 10 for Brazil than of any other player. As such, the nation will look to Neymar as the man to score the goals that will bring Brazil their record sixth World Cup title. Neymar’s transfer to Barcelona last season was by no means a failure, but he didn’t set La Liga on fire either. Can he turn it on for Brazil?

Team Forecast
There’s nothing veteran Brazilian manager Luis Felipe Scolari has left to learn about soccer. He returns as Brazil manager, having last managed them to the World Cup win of 2002 in Japan and South Korea. Neymar’s Barcelona teammate, Dani Alves, will be a marauding presence along the right wing, while a three man line of Fred, Hulk and Neymar will be expected to bang in the goals.

Mexico
World Cup Outright Odds: +16500

Qualification/World Cup History:
Mexico qualifies regularly for the World Cup, but struggles just as regularly to make inroads in the knockout stages. Mexico has only got to the quarter-finals twice, both when Mexico itself hosted the tournament in 1970 and 1986.

Player to Watch
Javi Hernandez. Few people had heard of Hernandez, nicknamed “Chicharito,” “little pea,” before Sir Alex Ferguson signed him for Manchester United in 2010, but he’s quickly become a firm fan favorite at Old Trafford. Slight of build, Hernandez is a goal poacher of the old school – a Mexican team that’s struggled for goals will look to Chicarito to make the very most of whatever chances accrue.

Team Forecast
Mexico won the Olympic soccer tournament in 2012, but this World Cup could be a little early for that team to move to the next level. They may have to, however – Mexico struggled to qualify for the World Cup and need to catch fire if they’re to make the second round.

Croatia
World Cup Outright Odds: +17200

Qualification/ World Cup History
The Davor Suker-inspired Croats were one of the most memorable teams of the 1998 World Cup, finishing third in their first ever World Cup appearance as an independent nation. Things have not gone so well since, with only one win to show for 2002 and 2006, and a failure to qualify at all in 2010.

Player to Watch
Luka Modric is one of the best players in the world. Modric is a midfield general of the old school, dictating the tempo of play, hitting killer passes but not afraid to get stuck in either when the tide is against his team. As important to his team as Tom Brady is to New England Patriots, and for many of the same reasons.

Team Forecast
Croatia is one of the most frustrating teams in international soccer. The Croatians combine very great technical ability with a huge pride in the jersey that is not always common at this level. Why, then, have the Croats struggled to qualify for this World Cup, or managed only one win in the World Cup Finals since? Which Croatia will turn up in Brazil?

Cameroon
World Cup Outright Odds: +75000

Qualification/World Cup History
Cameroon has appeared at the World Cup Finals six times since 1982, but there is no question that 1990 was its greatest tournament – Cameroon beat World Champions Argentina in the very first game of the tournament and got all the way to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by England.

Player to Watch
Samuel Eto’o comes to the World Cup Finals with something to prove. A star player for Barcelona in the noughties, Eto’o has a lot of miles on the clock now – something Eto’o’s club manager Jose Mourinho indiscreetly referred to with some journalists earlier this year. Eto’o was outraged by the comment, and would love nothing more than to score a fusillade of goals, each one a smack in the mouth of his (former) manager.

Team Forecast
Cameroon has the best chance of qualification of any of the African teams, but the Indominable Lions are unlucky in their group draw. Eto’o isn’t the only Cameroonian with miles on the clock – Alex Song and others are on the wrong side of thirty too. Will this inspire them, or will time take its course?

Group A Prediction
Group A is Brazil’s to lose. Even a second place finish that would still qualify the hosts to the second round would shock the nation and the world. Brazil is too good, and has too much to lose not to win the all three games and the Group. In that light, the most important game of Group A is on June 23rd at Recife, when Croatia faces Mexico, assuming there haven’t been any shocks. Mexico will be much more comfortable in the heat, but Croatia has the better players. Croatia to advance with Brazil from Group A.