South America vs South America

Neymar vs James Rodriguez

Brazil vs Colombia.

Devour the game.

I think this could be the game where Brazil really come to life in this tournament.

I'll go for a 3-0 Brazil win.

I don't think Brazil have kept a clean sheet so far......have they? The goal they conceded on Saturday was just ridiculous (all be it well taken). That defence is yet to convince me.

I can see Columbia scoring at least once.

Think this might be the end of road for brazil

0-0 against Mexico.

Think Colombia will win this one, 2-1 Colombia.

Ah, you're right. They were lucky in that one.

My money's on Colombia. They're the form team and Brazil are the ones who are struggling.

I wonder if big match experience will start to come into it as we reach the quarters and beyond. The likes of Thiago Silva, Neymar, Ramires, Fernandinho have won titles and played in the latter stages of the champions league whereas the Colombians haven't. On form, and with James Rodriguez, I'm tempted to go for Columbia but with the big players and the home support think Brazil will edge it.

Man U could have bought James Rodriguez for £5m in 2010, decided to buy Bebe for £7.4m instead.

Ouch.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...world-cup-2014

I expect goals - which probably means it will be 0-0.

Expect James Rodriguez to be marked out of the game.

Brazil and Colombia will have had 5 days "rest" for this match.

Germany and France will only have had 3 days rest each for their clash.

Holland and Costa Rica will have had 5 days each as well.

Argentina/Switzerland and Belgium/USA will have had 3 days rest each.


It's astounding how in a tournament so big, they can't work it so everyone gets the same time off.

Brazil haven't lost a home competitive match in nearly 40 years.

You have to wonder about the mentality of these 'lesser' south American sides when they play Brazil, particularly in Brazil with that record going on for so long. Do the other south american sides bar Argentina have an inferiority complex with them? Do they believe they can beat Brazil in their own back yard?

They were there for the taking in the last game but Chile kinda got cold feet about the whole thing and really it was an opportunity missed. I hope Colombia don't do the same and get overawed by the occassion and Brazil squeak through again.

Very good point and that is why I believe Brazil will win comfortably 2 or 3-1. James Rodriguez is bound to score. After the Chile game they'll have real self belief now.

That is an astonishing record. I think this is the best chance for any team to end it, given this isn't a great Brazil side. However it's hard to tell anyone is playing well enough to counter the effect of that huge home support.

That said I'm sure you all heard it during the game, but Brazil had their worst pass completion rate against Chile of any World Cup match since 1966.

Another factor could be the strength of the referee. Whether you agreed with them or not, Howard Webb had no problem making 'unpopular' decisions on 50:50s.

I wonder whether other referees are likely to do the same.

After the first game of the tournament I was worried that FIFA might have asked referees to *ahem* facilitate Brazil's progress through the rounds. Thankfully, that doesn't seem to have been the case since they got some very generous decisions against Croatia.

I'm really looking forward to Friday's games, both should be absolutely fascinating to watch, and I have a sneaky feeling for a Colombia / France double. The only problem might be how drunk I'm likely to be by the time the second game finishes!

I wonder if Saturdays games will be postponed if riots occur if Brazil lose.

Got a ref from Portugal doing this game...as you say hopefully he'll be as strong despite the likely pressure from both sides.

When Brazil lost in 1950 there were tears and suicides. I don't think this 2014 Brazilian bunch will be so restrained if they lose. They may even try to get the rest of the tournament abandoned..

To quote Will from the Inbetweeners, 'CAN that be true?'

It's not astounding at all.

Also, I think you need to redo some of your calculations.

Brazil have struggled against South American opposition. They are the only teams Scholari is worried about. If Brazil can beat Colombia, then I think they could go all the way.

Its possible we could end up with a Brazil v Argentina final.

I've done a quick check and it's seemingly true.

It's an impressive stat - but it doesn't account for the fact they do actually still get beaten away from home.

Additionally - Brazil over the years haven't actually had to play that many competitive home games compared to their South American counterparts - there's no qualification for the Copa America, and on the occasions they won the World Cup - they didn't have to qualify for the next one!

I predict a difficult game, but a win for Brazil nonetheless. I think we will see a Brazil v Germany semi-final, which Germany will win.