Group A World Cup - Mexico v Cameroon

The Lions of Cameroon have only won 1 game since the world cup of 1990 when England knocked them out in the quarter finals! This leads me to think that they will once again struggle to get out of Group A. Unlikely to beat Brazil and based on last nights game unlikely to get anything from Croatia they need to win today to give them any chance at all.

Mexico struggled to the world cup beating New Zealand in a play off. However Fifa still have Mexico ranked 20th in the world, although in past years they have been a lot higher.

I feel Mexico are best placed to win this game although I expect Croatia and Brazil to progress from this group.

Today I'm going with Mexico to win.  Priced at 5/4 looks a reasonable bet.

This could come down to who will be able to score? Javier Hernandez (6/1 to score first) (hasn't scored in the last 9 games for Mexico) or Samuel Eto'o (7/1 to score first) - the old timer who didn't havve the best season at Chelsea!

Brazil World Cup 2014 Group A Review

Group A is made up of Brazil, Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon. The expectations of the home support are high and Brazil should not have any problems dealing with the other countries in this Group. If we assume that Brazil will run away with the Group the interest lies in who will finish second.

Using FIFA Rankings (Brazil ranked 3) we see Croatia are ranked 18 and Mexico are ranked 20, Cameroon are not the force they once were when they led the African Nation into the quarter finals back in 1990 with Roger Millar, Cameroon are currently ranked 56. Croatia went up 2 spots in the last FIFA reshuffle with Mexico falling 1 place.

Given this scenario the likelihood is Croatia and Mexico will be competing for the second qualification spot. Croatia are slightly shorter priced that Mexico, with Croatia 11/10 and Mexico 5/4.

Their head to head record shows Croatia winning 2 matches and Mexico winnning 1. Mexicos' win came at the 2002 World Cup.

I take Mexico to get through the Group on the basis that I expect Croatia to lose their opening game against Brazil and Mexico will beat Cameroon. As such when Croatia play Cameroon the pressure will be on Croatia to win the game which may cause an upset.

I expect the Group to finish like this

Brazil
Mexico
Croatia
Cameroon