World Cup 2014: Cameroon vs Brazil match preview
A look ahead to the crucial Group A meeting for the hosts
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Your support makes all the difference.Brazil’s draw against Mexico last week was a setback for the hosts despite the fact they remain on top of the Group A table. The Selecao have nothing in mind but victory against Cameroon as another blunder could prove to be much more costly than the last fixture. A draw will be enough for them to progress.
Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to line up with the same team but may be fortunate enough to have Zenit forward Hulk back to full fitness. Much will be expected by Barcelona star Neymar who must be feeling very confident after scoring 33 international goals in 51 appearances and six in his last five caps.
For Cameroon this has been a World Cup to forget with tensions in the squad sky-high. After almost refusing to board their plane to Brazil over financial disputes, the nation is still coming to terms with star midfielder Alex Song being sent off for throwing a ridiculous elbow at Mario Mandzukic. Things got worse in their last outing when Tottenham Hotspur left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto headbutted his own teammate Benjamin Moukandjo.
Manager Volker Finke will not have Song at his disposal and will probably not start Assou-Ekotto either, but will be hoping to get the help of star striker Samuel Eto’o so the team can finish the tournament with their head held high.
KICK-OFF: Monday, 9pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Brazil 2 (Sobis, Marcelo) Cameroon 0, Olympic Games, August 2008
Brazil 0 Cameroon 1 (Eto’o), Confederations Cup, June 2003
Brazil 2 (Loco-Abreu, Miguel) Cameroon 0, Confederations Cup, May 2001
STATS…
Those two sides have not faced each other at the World Cup for 10 years. Last time they played, Brazil won 3-0.
Cameroon have only won one of their last 15 World Cup matches and lost 10. Last time they won was against Saudi Arabia in 2002.
The Indomitable Lions hold the worst losing streak of any African nation at the World Cup as they have lost their last six matches in the competition.
Last week marked the second goalless match for Brazil after 26 straight games in the World Cup.
The match against Mexico featured Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first ever draw at the World Cup group stage. His last draw in the competition occurred in 2006 where Portugal had a goalless tie with England in the quarter-finals but won the penalty shoot-out.
ODDS…
Cameroon to win: 25.1
Brazil to win: 1.8
Draw: 10.1
TV: Live on ITV at 9pm
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