Brazil – Colombia

Brazil hosts Colombia in the 2nd quarterfinal of the World Cup. Match will be played in Fortaleza, Ceara.

Even without turning too many heads with their performance, Brazil still won 3 of 4 matches and drawing with Mexico. I’d say Brazil was not so disappointing as some might say and they played a good match against a very good Chile team in the Round 16, they should have won in regular time but they were robbed by the referee. It went to penalties where of course Brazil was lucky. Maybe they don’t have the same firepower as in the past and for sure they don`t have the same strength, can’t dominate opponents, but they have a good defense and holding midfield. Team news for Brazil are bad: Key DM Luis Gustavo will miss, and Marcelo will probably also not play.

Brazil lineup: Cesar – Alves, Silva, Luiz, Maxwell – Fernandinho, Paulinho – Hulk, Oscar, Neymar – Fred.

Colombia was brilliant thus far. Four matches, four wins and a masterclass display of pragmatic football against Uruguay in the Round 16, where Colombia defended perfectly and won 2-0 without any problems. The South Americans have good quality, creat cohesiveness and they have the best player of the tournament – James Rodriguez. Team news for Colombia are great for them: no absentees, so the best lineup will be on the pitch.

Colombia lineup: Ospina – Zúñiga, Zapata, Yepes, Armero – Cuadrado, Aguilar, Sanchez, Rodríguez – Gutiérrez, Martínez.

This will be a match between two fine teams, but I just believe Colombia will have too much for Brazil despite the bookmaker odds. Colombia was the team that showed better football in this tournament and they really don’t have pressing weaknesses. They are better than Chile, who gave Brazil a real fight. The hosts will miss Gustavo and Marcelo badly, and even with home court advantage I can’t see them with more than 50% chances to qualify. My tip will be Colombia to qualify – this is the bet with the best value and odds/risk report. A safer choice would maybe be the x2. Correct score prediction: Brazil – Colombia 1-1 (1-2 extra-time).

Pick: Colombia to qualify
Odds: 3.00 @ Bet365
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 14
Event date: 4 July