Brazil v Croatia - 9.00pm Thursday

Advised Bet - Brazil to win to nil

It all starts here. Brazil take on Croatia in the opening game of World Cup 2014. Brazil quite simply have to perform. Since being announced as hosts, the national team has been gearing up for this one event. Many friendly games have been played and a victory in last years Confederations Cup has all been preparation for the tournament and Croatia are first up. The majority of this Brazil side are the one that defeated Spain 12 months ago in the Confederations Cup win and it is quite clear to see why they're favourites to lift this World Cup.

Brazil will certainly want to put a show on for their country while Croatia will be clinging on the hope of a 0-0 draw, so i dont expect this to be an end to end thriller but I think Lovren and Corluka at the back for Croatia will be in for a busy evening. Brazil won all three of their warm up friendly games, scoring ten goals along the way and keeping three clean sheets.

Croatia are going to want to get this game out the way. A nation will be against them and it will be well and truly an away game. The dangerous Mario Mandzukic is suspended which gives them even less hope of finding the net considering the Bayern Munich was the top scorer during qualification, having found the net four times. With Niko Kovac's side having failed to score against Scotland and Iceland and only managing to find the net once against Australia in their final warm up game, I am expecting a Brazilian shutout and three points on Thursday. Prediction 2-0.

Watch this space for the next fixture. GOODLUCK