World Cup 2014 Team Spotlight – Brazil
World Cup host Brazil will attempt to become the first home nation to hoist the World Cup since France in 1998, looking also to avenge a quarterfinal loss to the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup.
Brazil
(FIFA Rank #4)
Odds to Win World Cup: 3/1
Odds to in Group A: -450
Raw ability is once again Brazil’s strength ahead of the Big Show – home town pressure and a perceived lack of experience on the biggest stage seems to be a weakness – if you can call it that!
Not that Brazil needed any hype ahead of the World Cup but their 3-0 win in the Final of the Confederation Cup last year has added to the expectations for this squad in 2014.
Marcelo, Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Dani Alves make up perhaps the best back four in the tournament, Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo, Fernandinho and Ramires make up a tremendous midfield group and Neymar, Hulk and either Oscar or Bernard should provide enough fire power up front for the Brazilians to remain elite.
Fred still exists as one of the better finishers in the world. Translation – Brazil is in great shape all over the pitch – the one question is whether or not they can put it all together and if Coach Luis Felipe Scolari can get the absolute most out of his boys.
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If things are going well for the Brazilians, the athletic midfielders will be the straw that stirs the drink. This group covers a lot of ground and provides quality help for the back end and the forwards.
This group is quick and are lethal on the counter-attack – something that their opposition will find it very difficult to contend with.
The only potential issues with the Brazilian squad (and I stress potential) is the home town crowd – expectations are sky-high and if things start going badly, the team will hear about it first-hand. Speed bumps after the Group stage could also derail Brazil’s march toward a Title.
Waiting in the second round will be Spain, the Netherlands or a familiar and dangerous Chilean side. If Brazil makes it past the round of 16, Germany or Portugal loom.
World Cup Prediction
There is no doubt about which team is the class of Group A – this is Brazil’s to lose. No other team in the Group can compete in any area of the game!
Neymar is the difference maker that every team in the world covets and strong midfield play should carry Brazil deep into the tournament.
Consider Group A to be a tune-up for the knockout stage – the real tournament starts in the round of 16 for the home side. While I love Brazil’s make-up my guess is a lack of experience comes back to bite them a little bit.
Pressure and a tough road to the final may slow this team and my guess is that it results in the Brazilians failing to get the job done on home soil!
