Expect Fire In Fortaleza For Brazil v Colombia

It’s quarter-final time! Can we expect a shock in the all South American clash between Brazil and Colombia?

Form
Brazil’s stumbling World Cup campaign continued with a 1-1 draw and subsequent penalty shoot-out victory over Chile in the round of 16. But for the width of the crossbar/post we could be talking about Chile meeting Colombia here and although the tournament would have lost its hosts it would not have lost one of its better performers to date.

But that also says a lot of good about this Brazil side. In Neymar they have the quality to turn any game on its head and in manager Luiz Felipe Scolari they have a manager who, although slightly stubborn in his ways, has the experience and knows how to win a World Cup. And, of course, we cannot underestimate the significance of home advantage for this Brazil side: particularly as the tournament gravitates towards its conclusion.

Colombia, meanwhile, have been one of the better, if not the best team in the tournament.

And in forward James Rodriguez they have the star player and top scorer of the World Cup so far.

Robbed of star striker Radamel Falcao before the competition began, expectations were consequently kept in check. But with every passing game José Pékerman’s side look more and more like potential winners of this World Cup.

Having said that, in beating Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan and a Suarez-less Uruguay they are yet to be tested against a top international side. Brazil will certainly provide that test, and more.

Team News
Neymar had been considered doubtful after picking up a thigh injury in the game against Chile. However, reports in the days leading up to the game suggest that the 22-year-old will be fit for action. Luis Gustavo is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards and Scolari has a decision to make about whether to stick with the lacklustre Fred and Hulk.

James Rodriguez has been compared to Maradona and Messi in the past few days and it will be interesting to see how he handles that added pressure in the biggest of games this Friday. Colombia have no fresh injury concerns.

Head-to-Head
The two sides drew 1-1 when they met in an international friendly back in November 2012, with the three previous meetings all ending in goalless draws. Colombia haven’t beaten Brazil, however, since July 1991.

Recommended Bets
At odds-on prices, Brazil have to be opposed once again. They’ve done nothing so far this tournament to justify being quoted at odds of 5/6 to beat one of the best teams in the competition. Colombia are outstanding value at odds of 15/4, but, as we did with Chile, it makes sense to take either the 19/10 about Chile in the Draw No Bet market or the 10/11 on Chile-Draw in the Double Chance betting.

Despite his brace against Uruguay, James Rodriguez is even bigger in the goalscorer betting for this one and can be backed at 15/2 to break the deadlock and/or 2/1 to score anytime. For the tournament’s top scorer, who has scored in every game so far, that looks to be outstanding value.