By Babajide Olaitan
As we approach the opening ceremony of the most expensive World Cup tournament, let’s look into the team news, stats and probable line-ups.
TEAM NEWS
* Filipe Scolari has found some relief now as Neymar was part of the training on tuesday after a left ankle injury.
* According to the players on ground for Brazil, there’s a huge similarity with the squad that participated in the Confederations Cup; Neymar will take up his usual spot just behind Fred, joining Oscar and Hulk in attacking midfield positions as part of a settled line-up.
* Talk about the Croatia, the Croats are not a patch on the team that boasted the likes of Davor Suker and Robert Prosinecki, but hosts do not always start well. The likes of Ivan Rakitic, Luca Modric would make the team stronger even as Mario Mandzukic recieves suspension after a foul play against Ireland in the World Cup qualifiers.
Selecao in training
Modric and team mates gearing up for Thursday’s World Cup cracker.
QUICK DROP
Brazil (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Cesar; Alves, Luiz, Silva, Marcelo; Gustavo, Paulinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.
Croatia (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Pletikosa; Srna, Lovren, Corluka, Pranjic; Vukojevic, Modric; Perisic, Rakitic, Kovacic; Olic.
Out: Mandzukic (suspended).
Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan).
STAT ARREST:
* In the build-up to the World Cup, Brazil averaged 2.58 goals per game, scoring two or more goals in 84 per cent of those matches.
* Brazil have appeared 19 times before, played 97 games, won 67, drawn 15, lost 15, scored 210 goals, conceded 88, gathered a total number of 216 points and lifted the trophy five times than any other country.
* Croatia far away from Brazil, they’ve appeared thrice before, played 13 games, won six, drawn twice, lost five times scored 15 goals, conceded 11, and gathered 20 points.
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