Cameroon – Brazil

Brazil hosts Cameroon at Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, in Brasil. Cameroon is sure to finish last in the group, Brazil needs a win to secure the first place. Hosts are also not 100% qualified but only a miracle can send them out of the World Cup.

Brazil was a little goal shy in the first two matches, 3-1 with Croatia and 0-0 with Mexico. Even with Croatia they scored a penalty and a late goal on counters so the 3 goals are misleading. Their strikers were criticized and much of the critisim was addressed to Fred, who many believe is unworthy to be a “Number 9” for Brazil like other great players before him. But Scolari still trusts him and will start him today, I also trust him because he performed very well both for the National team and for Fluminense in the last years. I think Fred will shut some people up today and he will score a goal. It will be easier considering the opponent Brazil meets.

Cameroon lost 4-0 to Croatia after a 0-1 result with Mexico and their defenders are racing themselves in errors and blunders. Croatia could have scored 7 or 8 with a little luck. After threatening not to travel to Brazil, Cameroon showed that they have no chemistry, no morale and little desire to be here. There are some internal fights in the squad, with could see it in the match with Croatia when 2 players went at each other on the pitch, also Alexandre Song made a stupid bookable offense out of frustration and got a red card.

Cameroon lineup: Itandje – Djeugoue, Nkoulou, Chedjou, Nounkeu – Matip, Aboubakar, Choupo Moting, Mbia, Enoh – Eto’o

Brazil lineup: Cesar – Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo – Paulinho, Gustavo, Ramires – Oscar, Neymar – Fred

Brazil has surely put in the hours in training on what didn`t work against Mexico: keeping the ball, dominating the game and involving the striker. Against Cameroon these things should happen. Brazil will put pressure on the Africans, deliver balls into the box, and Fred will always be the target man in those situations. Given his motivation to prove the doubters wrong, his goalscoring record for Brazil and the fact that the hosts can score a few goals, I am confident that Fred will find the net at some point in the game – and he has decent odds to do it at Bet365. He was the joint-top scorer of the Confederations Cup last year, so he can get the job done. Also, Hulk will probably not play, so a little extra-chance for Fred to score. My tip will be Fred to score at anytime. Correct score prediction: Cameroon – Brazil 0-3.

Pick: Fred anytime goalscorer
Odds: 1.91 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.28
Event date: 23 June