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Cape Town - Sport24 provides you with all you need to know about TONIGHT'S opening game of the 2014 Soccer World Cup.
With the aid of Bsports.com, Sport24 has compiled everything you need to know about the first game of the 2014 Soccer World Cup.
FIVE must know facts:
1. Brazil are hosting the tournament for the second time. The first being in 1950, the hosts finished as runners-up that year.
2. Brazil are the most successful World Cup team. They have won the event five times and are hoping to add a sixth crown to their names.
3. Croatia are playing in their fourth World Cup and are ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings.
4. Brazil are ranked third, behind reigning champions Spain and Germany.
5. No European team has won the World Cup when it has been hosted in South America.
The stadium: Arena Corinthians
1. The stadium is located in Sao Paulo
2. The official capacity is 68 034
3. The stadium plays host to the opening game, a semi-final and four other matches
Possible Brazil starting line-up:
Many soccer fans will be familiar with the host nation's star studded line-up which includes Chelsea's Oscar, Barcelona's Neymar and Real Madrid's Marcelo.
Match analysis:
According to Btsports match analysis, Brazil have a 78.7% chance of winning the opening game. Most football fans would agree with that, Sport24 expect the hosts to see off the visitors quite comfortably. Croatia will be missing Bayern Munich front-man Mario Mandzukic and will struggle to score goals past an improved Brazilian defence.
Making your SuperBru pick? We recommend 2-0.
Follow Sport24's LIVE and interactive match updates for each and every 2014 Soccer World Cup match.
With the aid of Bsports.com, Sport24 has compiled everything you need to know about the first game of the 2014 Soccer World Cup.
FIVE must know facts:
1. Brazil are hosting the tournament for the second time. The first being in 1950, the hosts finished as runners-up that year.
2. Brazil are the most successful World Cup team. They have won the event five times and are hoping to add a sixth crown to their names.
3. Croatia are playing in their fourth World Cup and are ranked 18th in the FIFA rankings.
4. Brazil are ranked third, behind reigning champions Spain and Germany.
5. No European team has won the World Cup when it has been hosted in South America.
The stadium: Arena Corinthians
1. The stadium is located in Sao Paulo
2. The official capacity is 68 034
3. The stadium plays host to the opening game, a semi-final and four other matches
Possible Brazil starting line-up:
Many soccer fans will be familiar with the host nation's star studded line-up which includes Chelsea's Oscar, Barcelona's Neymar and Real Madrid's Marcelo.
Match analysis:
According to Btsports match analysis, Brazil have a 78.7% chance of winning the opening game. Most football fans would agree with that, Sport24 expect the hosts to see off the visitors quite comfortably. Croatia will be missing Bayern Munich front-man Mario Mandzukic and will struggle to score goals past an improved Brazilian defence.
Making your SuperBru pick? We recommend 2-0.
Brazil Injuries & Suspensions: None
Croatia Injuries & Suspensions: Danijel Pranjic (doubtful), Mario Mandzukic (suspended)
Follow Sport24's LIVE and interactive match updates for each and every 2014 Soccer World Cup match.
