Brazil v Mexico: Hosts to don scoring boots after break

Paulinho has been making a name for himself in Brazil

The maths is simple for Mexico: get some points or risk crashing out, though that won't be easy against the buoyant hosts...

Brazil v Mexico, Wednesday 20:00, BBC Three, Match Odds: Brazil 1.42/5, Mexico 10.09/1, The Draw 5.14/1

Brazil kicked off their Confederations Cup campaign in style with that 3-0 stroll over Japan in their Group A opener.

Next up is a far tougher test, on paper at least, against Mexico. Having suffered their first defeat in 14 games with that 2-1 loss to Italy, the Mexicans know that they must net some points or face an abrupt exit.

However, that will be easier said than done against a Brazil side oozing confidence after building a head of steam under reinstalled boss Luiz Felipe Scolari in recent months.

Big Phil looks like he has began to maximise the considerable talent available to him, with the Samba Boys having gone seven games unbeaten themselves - overcoming France 3-0 in a friendly, before easing to that opening victory over Japan.

With the likes of household names Neymar, Hulk, Oscar and Lucas Moura at Scolari's disposal going forward, it's no surprise to see the Brazilians scoring freely.

Even at the back, where question marks are traditionally never far away, this young squad boast some of European club football's finest talents in Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dani Alves and Marcelo of Real Madrid.

Spurred on by vociferous support in the Estadio Castelao, it's hard to envisage anything other than a win for the hosts on recent form.

Half With Most Goals

A feature of Brazil's recent games is a tendency to save their scoring until after the half-time refreshments. Eight of the last ten goals registered by the Samba Boys have come in the second period, while their last three matches have witnessed more goals in the second half.

To Score

One player really making an impression in the famous yellow shirt since his 2013 call-up to face England at Wembley in February is Paulinho. The Corinthians star, attracting plenty of European interest at present, not only notched in the recent friendly rematch against the Three Lions, but also found the net against Japan and the midfielder looks a real World Cup prospect for his nation.

Best Bet: Back there to be more goals in the second half @ 2.226/5
Recommended Bet: Back Paulinho to score @ 4.216/5