Brazil, Tournament Odds – 3/1(Fav), Group Winners(2/9)
Neymar
Hosts Brazil go into the tournament as favourites on their own patch and will be looking to regain the trophy they last won in 2002. The most decorated country in World Cup history have lifted the trophy five times and have a great chance this summer. Wrote off a few years ago, a turn around in the last two years which included victory in the confederation cup has seen them rocket to favourites.
Old timers Ronaldinho, Kaka and Robinho all missed a place in the squad, however they have a new star man in Neymar. Despite struggling at times this season following his big money move to Barcelona, he has become the face of the World Cup and will be expected to deliver on the biggest stage. Recently departed from the Premier League David Luiz joins former Chelsea team mates, Ramirez and Oscar in the squad, along with Tottenham’s Paulinho.
They will have been pleased with the draw, although all the opposition in the group could be dangerous, they however will be looking ahead to a second round clash with a team from Group B which is likely to be Spain or the Netherlands.
While they have a squad to match any in the tournament , the one area which could prove their weakness is up front. Despite having Hulk and Neymar at their disposal, they lack a world clash out and out striker, it will probably be between Jo and Fred to decide who leads the line.
Prediction – Semi Finalists
Croatia – Tournament Odds – 175/1 Group Winners 9/1
Modric
Croatia will hope to spring a surprise on hosts Brazil in their opening match as they aim to qualify from the group stage for the first time since 1998. That year in France David Suker lead their charge as they stunned Germany on their way to a third place finish, that may be a step too far for this side, however they have enough quality in their squad to get out the groups.
Luka Modric is the star of this Croatia side after a good season in Real Madrid’s run to Champions league glory. The former Tottenham star can unlock the best of defences and he will need to be at his best in Brazil. One former Spurs star who will not feature is Nico Kranjcar. Kranjcar was in the squad however he has been ruled out with a leg injury picked up in the Championship Playoffs for QPR.
Mario Mandzukic is the other big name to watch, however he will miss the opening game against Brazil following a red card in Croatia’s playoff tie with Iceland. Mandzukic is on the verge of leaving club side Bayern Munich with the arrival of Robert Lowandowski, but they will be numbers of clubs looking to pick up his signing, having helped his club side rise to the top of the European club game in the last couple of years.
Prediction – second round
Mexico – Tournament Odds – 150/1 Group Winners 8/1
Hernandez
Like Croatia, Mexico only made the World Cup finals via the playoffs and it appears the two will go head to head for second spot. Mexico struggled in qualifying and only finished fourth in the final qualifying group behind Honduras, Costa Rica and USA. However they were able to comfortably win their playoff against New Zealand 9-3(Agg).
Mexico have a great tradition in the World Cup, however they have not progressed to the quarter final stage since hosting the competition in 1986. They did though earn the Gold Medal in the London Olympics ,seeing off Brazil in the final.
Manchester United forward Javier Hernandez will hope to star and poach his sides way into the knockout rounds. Giovani Dos Santos also can provide a threat from midfield and these two will be the ones to watch out for. Oribe Peralta was the sides top scorer during the qualifying campaign, however it is unclear if he will be in the starting lineup come the opening games.
The other known name in world football is Rafa Marquez, who will captain his side into a World Cup for the fourth time. The former Barcelona defender is in the squad despite being 35 years old and even though he lacks pace he will bring much needed experience to the Mexican side.
Prediction – Group Stage
Cameroon – Tournament Odds – 750/1 Group Winners 20/1
Eto’o
The odds for Cameroon tell the story. Cameroon are capable of causing an upset, but they are the huge outsiders on paper. They overcame Tunisia in the final stage of African qualifying, winning 4-1 over two legs, but it will take a lot for them to progress further than the group stage in Brazil.
Cameroon’s best World Cup so far was reaching the quarter finals in 1990 when they lost in extra time to England.
Their stand out players will be known by all, but after they they have limited options available. Samuel Eto’o still captains the side despite a major dispute with management and team members last year.
Alex Song also has a key role to play in midfield alongside Schalke’s Joel Matip who is one for the future.
Prediction – Group Stage
To summarise it’s a good group for hosts Brazil, but one which should provide a test. The final game between Croatia and Mexico should decide second place, with the tournament being a struggle for Cameroon.
1.Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon
Simon Hahn 