WORLD CUP GAME PICKS: BRAZIL V CROATIA BETTING ODDS PREVIEW
Brazil and Croatia have crossed paths just once since the latter nation gained their independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, and that match, which took place in Split last August, finished 1-1.
The Croats have contested the last three World Cup’s and finished Group 8 of the European Zone in first place, leaving an excellent Sweden team to scrap for qualification in the play-offs. As such, Zlatko ‘Cico’ Kranjcar’s men shouldn’t be underestimated when tackling the reigning champions in this Group F tie on June 13.
Croatia looked a slightly jaded side in Japan/Korea. However, four years later and their squad have evolved and there is plenty of fresh talent
coming to the fore, complimenting the experienced warriors that remain.
Dado Prso has emerged as the bread winner for Croatia, picking up where Davor Suker, a living legend in his homeland who won the Golden Boot in the penultimate World Cup finals in France, left off.
Prso was Croatia’s leading scorer with a quintet of strikes to boast from the prelims, and the powerfully-built striker will benefit from the ammunition likely to be provided by the Kovac brothers – Robert and Niko – and right-sided midfielder Darijo Srna.
Srna against Roberto Carlos will be an intriguing man match. Carlos habitually likes to strut his stuff with incisive forward runs from left back. Now thirty three years of age, however, Carlos will need to be aware of the presence of the pacey Srna who, at nine years his junior, will exploit any wear and tear in the Brazilian defenders ageing legs.
On the flipside, it’s all very well being able to exploit Brazil’s defensive frailties. But how Croats will get the ball in the first place is the problem. The Seleção boast a star-studded team, with the all-smiling footballing magician that is reigning Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho pulling the strings. The Barcelona playmaker has improved no end since helping Brazil win a record fifth World Cup in 2002. He was excellent then. He’s brilliant now.
One would imagine Croatia will stick to the 3-4-1-2 formation – three central defenders protected by two defensive midfielders – which they have been using to good effect in the build up to this tournament.
However, looking at it laterally, the Croat players filling these positions are likely to have hard time of it suppressing the creativity of Ronaldinho and Kaka, while the likely strike partnership of Adriano and Ronaldo will, needless to say, be a real handful for the Croat defensive line.
With Kaka likely to have a license to roam behind the strikers - and given his eye for goal - the best bet of the match looks to be backing the twenty-four-year-old to score anytime at 9/4 with Stan James.
The Croats have contested the last three World Cup’s and finished Group 8 of the European Zone in first place, leaving an excellent Sweden team to scrap for qualification in the play-offs. As such, Zlatko ‘Cico’ Kranjcar’s men shouldn’t be underestimated when tackling the reigning champions in this Group F tie on June 13.
Croatia looked a slightly jaded side in Japan/Korea. However, four years later and their squad have evolved and there is plenty of fresh talent
coming to the fore, complimenting the experienced warriors that remain.Dado Prso has emerged as the bread winner for Croatia, picking up where Davor Suker, a living legend in his homeland who won the Golden Boot in the penultimate World Cup finals in France, left off.
Prso was Croatia’s leading scorer with a quintet of strikes to boast from the prelims, and the powerfully-built striker will benefit from the ammunition likely to be provided by the Kovac brothers – Robert and Niko – and right-sided midfielder Darijo Srna.
Srna against Roberto Carlos will be an intriguing man match. Carlos habitually likes to strut his stuff with incisive forward runs from left back. Now thirty three years of age, however, Carlos will need to be aware of the presence of the pacey Srna who, at nine years his junior, will exploit any wear and tear in the Brazilian defenders ageing legs.
On the flipside, it’s all very well being able to exploit Brazil’s defensive frailties. But how Croats will get the ball in the first place is the problem. The Seleção boast a star-studded team, with the all-smiling footballing magician that is reigning Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho pulling the strings. The Barcelona playmaker has improved no end since helping Brazil win a record fifth World Cup in 2002. He was excellent then. He’s brilliant now.
One would imagine Croatia will stick to the 3-4-1-2 formation – three central defenders protected by two defensive midfielders – which they have been using to good effect in the build up to this tournament.
However, looking at it laterally, the Croat players filling these positions are likely to have hard time of it suppressing the creativity of Ronaldinho and Kaka, while the likely strike partnership of Adriano and Ronaldo will, needless to say, be a real handful for the Croat defensive line.
With Kaka likely to have a license to roam behind the strikers - and given his eye for goal - the best bet of the match looks to be backing the twenty-four-year-old to score anytime at 9/4 with Stan James.
posted by 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany at 8:24 PM
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