The first game of the World Cup pits the hosts against an experienced opposition. Brazil having qualified for every World Cup will face a team of whom did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa so Croatia’s experience of playing nations in other continents is fairly limited.
Brazil team news
With an eye on both squads starting line ups are pretty predictable. For Brazil a 4-3-3 Formation is the one most likely to be used by them. The obvious standout in this team is indeed Neymar; tipped by many to be player of the tournament his pace, lung bursting runs and sheer trickery are enough to frighten the most experienced of defenders and this is why I am tipping Neymar to cause issues to the Croat defence. On the other side is a man of whom does not need introduction. Hulk a frighteningly quick and powerful individual will be sure to prove as dangerous as Neymar on the other side; providing a massive conundrum for the Croatian defence on who to man mark. Their midfield is packed with a host of talent this featuring the number 11 Oscar who has proved at Chelsea to be a crafty genius in the attacking midfield role. Their defensive partnership is the most expensive in the history of football with David Luiz joining Thiago Silva at P$G. They are a fearsome duo who do not concede many goals this ties together the Brazil Team. 
Croatia team news
Croatia are a team that will line up differently to Brazil as they play a more classic 4-4-2 formation with star players Modric and Barcelona bound Rakitic being deployed as Central midfielders. Although technically gifted there are just two of them compared to the three in Brazil’s formation this could leave Croatia with a lack of possession in the midfield area and as well as that prone to counter attacks. Their striking duo is deadly with Madzukic the top scorer in the Bundesliga and Eduardo firing on all cylinders for Shakhtar Donetsk. This could provide issues for a Brazil defence consisting of a sometimes unreliable David Luiz of whom pushes forward an awful lot and only one chance is required for one of these strikers to find the back of the net. Aside from these 4 individuals the Croatia team is very weak and will be exposed by the pace that Brazil have. As Srna and Vida do not like people who are capable of marking the talented duo of Neymar and Hulk.
Key Duels
I feel Croatia’s strikers against Brazil’s centre back pairing will prove a good duel to see in the match as both strikers are lethal infront of goal and although Luiz and Silva are a good defensive unit they may be truobled by the Cratian strikers. Brazil’s wingers in Neymar and Hulk vs Vida and Srna seems a bit of a mismatch as their pace and experience is too great to be handled by the two “weaklinks” in the team and this is personally where I feel the game will be won by Brazil.
By Marvin – @TrueBlueTalk_
Football After Dark 