Is It Now Or Never for Brazil?

By Stuartnoel @theballisround

Football to Brazilians is second only to God; it is a country that loves football like no other and, with next year’s World Cup being played in Brazil, there has never been a better time for them to win it.  But will the weight of nearly 200 million people be too much for a squad that has yet to really shine.

With the World Cup in Brazil just a few months away, expectations are high on the beaches of Rio as well as among the betting experts on betfair.com. This home support could be the key ingredient for a successful Brazilian campaign as history shows that the host nations fair well in the biggest tournament in the world; Germany, South Korea, and Italy made it to the semi-finals in 2006, 2002, and 1990, respectively, while France won the tournament in 1998.

These nations’ success suggests that home supports does give you an advantage; the bookmakers also think this, and Betfair have instilled Brazil as their favourites for the tournament already.  Few would argue with this, although we have seen similar optimism before for the Brazilians.

A further reason why Brazil should win the World Cup is their manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari. Scolari knows how to win a World Cup, having led Brazil to victory in 2002. He is an astute tactician that knows how to get the best out of his players and his experience at international level will be key.  Scolari has the nous to be able to tinker his team and tactics regarding which team his side face, and his tactical knowledge could lead Brazil to glory.

Finally, Brazil should win the World Cup as their squad is unbelievably talented. With the talisman, Neymar, up front, they don’t struggle for goals and, with supporting players such as Lucas, Oscar, Bernard, and Willian, Brazil are always going to pose a threat.

Defence is an area that Brazil have always looked prone but now they look solid with Thiago Silva and David Luiz at the back. In addition, if their showing at the 2013 Confederations Cup is anything to go by, then they should sweep to victory like they did there with an emphatic 3-0 win over World champions, Spain.

Regardless of what the betfair odds may say, Brazil can and should win next year’s World Cup.