Where : Arena Corinthians, São Paulo
Kick-off : 13th Jun 2014, 4.00am (GMT +8 hours) HK, Singapore, Malaysia
Weather : low : 16°c / high : 24°c (clear)
Official : Yuichi Nishimura (JPN)

Overview
Things just couldn't be more worse for the preparation for the World Cup 2014 for Brazil. Although Brazil are heavily-favoured to deliver their 6th World Cup trophy at their home soil, you just can feel things are not going right for them at home. Brazil are ready for the party, seriously I don't think so. The mad dash for stadium completion have already cost the lives of 9 workers, 2 of them at this very stadium that hosting this opening game between Brazil and Croatia. Rather than celebrate the return of soccer's pre-eminent event to Brazil for the first time since 1950, much of the news has focused on the civil unrest, constant delays in construction and escalating costs that have plagued the preparations for this event. As we enter the final weeks before the World Cup, three of the 12 stadiums have yet to be finished. I really do have a feeling this is a time-bomb waiting to explode, but hopefully it will go thru smoothly. Afterall, tomorrow is the D-Day, the show must go on. The questions of World Cup venue awards marred controversy among FIFA as well, very much looks like Qatar will be going to be stripped from it and more problems are followed. The questions of economy booster or more unrest in Brazil community remain a clue waiting to be solved.

Form Guide : Team
Brazil : Anyhow, Brazil remain the team to beat in World Cup 2014, at home. They automatically qualified into World Cup as hosts, but their breathtaking performances in the Confederations Cup, which saw them comfortably beaten the likes of Italy, Uruguay and world champions Spain understandably reinstate them into heavy favorite this time around. But I don't think it will be easy for them. Brazil WC preparation saw them chosen and beaten minnows as such South Africa and Panama, which become their traditional selection before the tournament every four years. Brazil always being a Brazil, nothing much you can predict from them, sometimes they can play beautifully but once in a while they will fail too. The players in the squad honestly aren't really world beaters if you look at the campaigns for respective clubs. Neymar, endured a trophyless season with Barcelona and managed to get more negatives feedback, rather than positives from his performances this season. Ramires, Willian, and Oscar, too endured a trophyless season with Chelsea. Paulinho, started so strong in his first year with Spurs, but form dropped dramatically which saw coach AVB sacked and Sherwood too. Strikers in Fred and Jo are outcast failures from European football, hence you can't bank too much hope on them. The goalkeeping section is one of the biggest weaknesses, with all three keepers over 30 years old and main keeper in Julio Cesar is playing his trade in MLS soccer league (come on...). The only bright spot I can see is from the defence, with the ever-reliable captain in Thiago Silva and very, very strong wingbacks in Marcelo and Daniel Alves.

Croatia : They did not have a colourful World Cup qualification from a group consists Belgium, Scotland, Serbia and Wales. But Croatia are no pushovers for the Selecao, IMHO. They didn't qualify for World Cup 2010 South Africa, obviously was a big disappointment, but they managed to passed the Iceland test and won the playoff games in 2-0 aggregate. They didn't do too bad in qualifying stages, but surprisingly lost both home and away to Scotland. Friendlies lead up to the tournament saw them gained 1 creditable draw against fellow participant in Switzerland, won against the African Mali and also won against the Socceroos.

Statistics
• The host nation has never lost their opening World Cup game, with the 20 previous hosts winning 14 and drawing six of their openers.
• Brazil's one previous tournament as hosts saw them defeat fellow 2014 Group A members Mexico 4-0 in their opening game (1950).
• Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.
• Brazil are taking part in their 20th World Cup. They are the only team to have taken part in every single tournament.
• A Selecao have won the most games (67) and scored the most goals (210) at the World Cup.
• Brazil have won eight of their last nine World Cup games in the group stages (1 draw). Their last defeat dates back to 23 June 1998 against Norway (1-2).
• Croatia have only conceded 11 goals in 13 World Cup games (0.85/game). It's the best ratio among the 32 teams taking part in 2014.
• Croatia's last nine World Cup games have produced six red cards.
• Brazil won their one previous competitive meeting with Croatia 1-0 in the 2006 World Cup; Kaka scored the winner in Berlin that day.

(Source : Goal.com)

Team News
Brazil : They should have a full and healthy squad to choose from, with most notable absentees from the Brazil squad such as Kaka, Robinho, Lucas Moura. But my most confused selection was the ignorance of Atletico Madrid duo in Felipe Luis and Miranda, who played superbly well which saw them won the Primera Liga. It is clear that Scolari opted experience more than success.

Croatia : Coach Niko Kovac have some really selection headache ahead to this game. Main striker Mandzukic will be suspended for the first game, this should be his biggest headache. Defender Pranjic too have minor injury and will not be available.

Players to Watch
Neymar (Brazil) : Brazil success will be heavily dependant on their biggest name in Neymar. He delivered his best performances in Confederations Cup which landed him player of the tournament award, how he can perform in WC2014 remain a mystery to be unfolded.

Ivan Rakitic (Croatia) : Rakitic is simply the player to watch for Croatia this tournament. He almost single-handedly won Sevilla the Europa League, his partnership with Modric at the middle of the park will be main reason how far Croatia can go.

The Greeny's Pick
OK, let's get real down business. It's pretty clear the market will be banking on Brazil, since this is the first game and Brazil are playing superbly well, it seems, and playing at home. But not in my books. Brazil are enduring a difficult period, IMHO, from the unrest in their homeland, and I'm seriously in doubt how far this tournament can bring this Brazilian team go. I can say, even their own people will be happy, in some quarters, to see them lose and lose hard in this tournament. They will be under tremendous pressure to perform here, and the failure to bring some cool-heads in Kaka or Robinho I believe will backfire Scolari. Croatia always a consistent performers for me, and do not forget they too boasted one of the finest central-midfield partnership in Modric and Rakitic, who are on the form of their lives. Mandzukic absense will be a loss, but this game will be a doggy game, and 1 1/2 ball handicap is an offer you can't refuse, especially for the first game of the biggest tournament in the world. "Banker Bet" on this very first game for me.