2014 World Cup Day One Picks: Brazil vs Croatia

Finally, the wait is over, Brazil and Croatia will open the 2014 FIFA World Cup this Thursday at the Arena Sao Paulo, in a must win game for the Brazilians at 4 PM ET, in a Group A matchup.

Brazil has a 15 wins, two draws and two losses record in first games at the World Cups; one of those victories were against Croatia, back in 2006 at Germany.  Since 1998 Brazil has won all their debut games by a one goal differential.

“For all Brazilians, I want to say our time has arrived. We want to go together. This is our World Cup,” coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said.

“The star player will be the champion because if you’re the star player and don’t win the World Cup, it doesn’t make sense,” he added. We have to go up these seven steps but, to start, we have to think of the first step. We can’t jump the seven.”

Croatia needs to avoid a crushing loss; according to the World Cup odds they will be fighting with Mexico and Cameroon for the second spot in group A.  The Europeans have never beaten Brazil, recording one draw and one loss in two matches.

“That game is a big challenge for us, as well as a great pleasure to kick start the World Cup with the whole world watching. Brazil are immense favorites. I expect them to win the tournament, but they are also facing an unimaginable weight of expectations from the home crowd. Yes, they all play at big clubs but the pressure there can’t really be compared to this. If we have to face Brazil, then I think it’s better for us that it’s their first game,” Croatian coach Niko Kovac said.

The money line rated Brazil -290 to win the game, and Croatia is +1200; the draw is at +425.  The game total is at 2.5 goals.