Brazil v Uruguay: Prolific hosts to thrill with three again

Brazil are put through their paces in training

The final is tantalisingly close for hosts Brazil as they take on Uruguay in the first semi-final and Christian Crowther expects them to progress...

Brazil v Uruguay, Wednesday 20:00, BBC1, Match Odds: Brazil 1.374/11, Uruguay 9.89/1, The Draw 5.79/2

Luiz Felipe Scolari's current Brazil side may be some way off emulating his World Cup winning class of 2002, but they are certainly on the right trajectory.

The Brazilian players they have performed admirably under intense scrutiny and, when faced with their greatest test to date against Italy, they passed the examination with relative ease in the end.

Built around Barcelona's newest superstar Neymar, there is a growing fluency to Brazil's play and, with attacking full-backs Marcelo and Dani Alves constantly raiding on the flanks, there is plenty for Uruguay to be afraid of.

Largely due to Brazil's omission from the qualifying process, this is actually the first time that the old rivals have met in four years, rendering previous results between the nations a little obsolete.

While some praise ought to be reserved for La Celeste, after turning a corner of sorts themselves at this tournament, their level of performances so far gives little to suggest that they can shock the hosts.

Even though Uruguay possess a few star players such as Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez, a narrow win over Nigeria does not indicate that they possess the necessary threat to tame this Brazil side high on confidence.

Whereas many of the Uruguay's 2011 Copa America winning team are heading into the twilight of their careers, Brazil's star is rising and it will be too bright at Estadio Mineirao.

Brazil Total Goals

Scolari's scholars have been finding the net with ease at this tournament, as was the case in the build up, and they can do the same against Uruguay.

The Samba Boys have averaged exactly three goals per game in their last four matches, notching at least twice in all of their last seven matches.

Half Time Score

Having only let in two goals in their last four outings, Brazil have excelled in taking control of games in the first half.

All three group games have followed the same pattern of taking a 1-0 lead into the break, while all three of the goals that Uruguay have conceded arrived before the oranges were handed out.

Recommended Bets

Best Bet: Brazil to score three or more goals @ 2.56/4
Back Brazil to lead 1-0 at half time @ 3.613/5