World Cup 2014 Betting Tips: Croatia v Brazil

Gambling911.com has your World Cup 2014 betting tips for Croatia v Brazil.  4 pm EDT is the starting time (ESPN in the USA).  Check your local listings elsewhere. 

Brazil had odds of 2/7, Croatia had odds of between 8/1 and 14/1 and the Draw had odds of 4/1. 

Despite the long odds, Croatia was seeing around 20% of the betting action.

Croatia are without suspended striker Mario Mandzukic, so Nikica Jelavic or Eduardo will deputise.

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 beat Croatia 1-0 with a goal from Kaka in their only previous World Cup meeting during the 2006 group stage in Berlin.

The two sides drew 1-1 in Split in August 2005 in their only other encounter.

Eight of the last 12 opening matches at World Cups have produced one goal or less.

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).

Brazil have won their last nine matches, scoring 30 goals and conceding only two.

Their only defeat in the last 21 games came against Switzerland last August (W16, D4, L1).

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 have gone four World Cup matches without a win and only scored in one of those fixtures (a 2-2 draw with Australia in 2006).

Croatia's last nine World Cup games have produced six red cards.

- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com