Schedule Day 1

Brazil will take on Croatia in the opening clash of World Cup 2014 on Thursday evening in a match that is expected to kick start their quest for glory. Brazil at home ground are no doubts the favourites against Croatia. The crowd is expected to be loud and wild for the opening match. The only chance for Croatia to stay in the game will be, to score first. However, scoring against Brazil; its not an easy task. Lets have a quick review on the squad of both teams.

Brazil (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Cesar; Alves, Luiz, Silva, Marcelo; Gustavo, Paulinho; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred/ Pato.

Watch out for the pace and immense trickery on the ball from Neymar, who along with Pato are likely to charge on Croatian defense. Fred may come on from bench but having a very good scoring record is likely to get on the scoring sheet. The very young chelsea star Oscar is also a man Croatian side will be worried to cover. The defense of Brazilian side is also the favorite in the tournament having Marcelo, Dani Alves and Luiz in the side. The star goal keeper Julio Ceasar will be guarding the posts for the the five times World Champions.

Croatia (Possible, 4-2-3-1): Pletikosa; Srna, Lovren, Corluka, Pranjic; Vukojevic, Modric; Perisic, Rakitic, Kovacic; Olic.
Out: Mandzukic (suspended).

Croatia could suffer from the absence of Mario Mandzukic, who is suspended following his red card in the play-off game against Iceland back in November. One man in the Croats squad was born and bred in Brazil. Eduardo has played for Croatia for a long time and he is the man who is likely to score the first goal. Vukojevic, Modric and Rakitic will have a 90 busy minutes defending against the fast paced Brazilian side. Goalkeeper Pletikosa will have to be at his best and shine to guard his net. Granted, the Croats are not a patch on the team that boasted the likes of Davor Suker and Robert Prosinecki, but hosts do not always start well.

My prediction: Croatia will score the first goal.

Match result: Brazil 3 Croatia 1