The host nation will face a tough test against the tournament top scorer so far, Brazil meet Colombia in the quarter-finals of the World Cup at Fortaleza on Friday. Brazil had to survive a penalty shoot-out in order to knock out Chile in the previous round, now they face another South American opponent in the last eight.
Brazil boss Luis Felipe Scolari will have to do without central midfielder Luiz Gustavo, who is suspended after picking up his second yellow card of the tournament. Neymar had a few knee and thigh problems but he should be fully fit for the match. Colombia have no fresh injury concerns, with James Rodriguez, who scored five goals so far, expected to spearhead their attack. The last 12 direct meetings between the two sides saw no wins for Colombia, Brazil have won seven while the other five were draws.
Probable starting line-ups:
Brazil: Cesar - Alves, Silva, Luiz, Marcelo - Fernandinho, Oscar, Willian - Hulk, Neymar, Fred
Colombia: Ospina - Zuniga, Armero, Sanchez, Zapata, Yepes - Cuadrado, Aguilar, Rodriguez, Martinez - Gutierrez
My prediction: Brazil to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Brazil win - 5/6 Draw - 11/4 Colombia win - 15/4
Dominic Horsley 9 years ago
Brazil are really in trouble now without neymar lol, that is the worst possible thing that could happen.. They are going to be dreading meeting ze germans.
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skrunici 9 years ago
I think that this match can bring us great football and suprise, colombia show us that we should count on them! Brazil is host nation but Colombian can do it !
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Dominic Horsley 9 years ago
I would not be surprised if Brazil lose, they' just expected to win the whole competition, and they are not as a superior team as they make out, and have often underestimated their opponents like Chile (only winning on penalties) and Mexico. If anything where to happen to Neymar, they truly would be in trouble.
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