Brazil v Japan: Samba Boys to kick off festival in style

Japan are the visitors as Brazil look to start their countdown to the World Cup in convincing fashion at the Confederations Cup...

Brazil v Japan, Saturday 20:00, BBC Three, Match Odds: Brazil 1.3, Japan 13.0, The Draw 6.0

With next summer's World Cup on everyone's minds, hosting this festival of champions on home soil will throw an intense spotlight upon those in the famous yellow shirts.

Levels of anticipation are sure to be bubbling inside the Estadio Nacional as Brazil take to the field but, luckily for Luiz Felipe Scolari, Brazil been handed easily the gentlest of the three Group A fixtures to start things off.

Despite winning the 2011 Asian Cup and becoming the first team to qualify for World Cup 2014, Japan have turned in some iffy results and performances in 2013. They lost to both Jordan and Bulgaria and only managed a 1-1 draw against Australia on home soil in April.

These two sides drew swords as recently as October on neutral ground, with the Samba Boys running out extremely comfortable 4-0 winners on that occasion.

While Scolari has caused some controversy by leaving out established names from his squad such as Kaka, it's clear that the former World Cup-winning coach is planning for the future.

Instead, he has chosen to build the team around the likes of Barcelona's newest signing Neymar and Chelsea pair Oscar and David Luiz and steadily results are beginning to improve for this young Brazil side.

They followed up a 2-2 draw against England - which they probably deserved to win, especially on their first-half performance - with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of France, so should easily prevail.

Brazil to win both halves

When these sides clashed on European soil in the autumn, Brazil notched a pair of goals in each half. The Samba Boys' recent comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Bolivia also saw them win both periods of the match.

Only Joe Hart's heroics stopped Brazil going into the break three up against England in their recent friendly too, while Brazil have notched five goals in the second 45 in their last two friendlies.

To Score

One of the more experienced members of Scolari's squad is 29-year-old Fluminense striker Fred, formerly of Lyon. Brazil's chief target man has enjoyed a resurgent spell with his national team, having recently opened the scoring against England, giving him five goals in his last six international appearances.

Best Bet: Back Brazil to win both halves @ 3.0
Other Recommended Bet: Back Fred to score @ 2.3

Bet HERE

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