World Cup 2014: A South American update from our man in SГЈo Paulo

Will Oscar retain his place in the Brazil team?

In the first of his updates from Brazil, Ed Malyon rounds up the latest developments from the South American teams in Groups A to D and picks out some early value...

Brazil

Brazil's preparations have been set back by the tragic death of Luiz Felipe Scolari's nephew in a car accident last night, the second family death in as many weeks for Felipo. He will, however, remain in charge for the opener against Croatia. 

As far as the Brazilian XI is concerned the only slight doubt is whether Willian might oust club mate Oscar from the number 10 role but the most likely scenario is that Scolari sticks with his favoured side with the eyes of the world to be on them come kick-off at the Arena Corinthians on Thursday. 

Croatia face major selection decisions to try and cram all of their talented midfielders into one team, but we know that they are likely to play a narrow midfield, so full-backs bombing forward could be a key component of how this game pans out. 

Without Mario Mandzukic, Croatia lack a top-class forward but they will still make things very difficult for the hosts. No host nation has ever been under as much pressure to win as this Brazil team but they would snap your hand off for a narrow victory and three valuable group points. 

We saw a little bit of that pragmatism against Serbia where Brazil looked to preserve their lead rather than rampantly extending it and thus we may not see a high-scoring game to kick off World Cup 2014. 

Brazil to win to nil at around evens appears a good bet, with Croatia only likely to threaten from the set pieces of Ivan Rakitic. 

For a bigger price, you could dutch 1-0 and 2-0 in the Correct Score market, providing combined odds of around 3.55/2

Colombia

With Radamel Falcao now out, Colombia are analysing a possible switch of system and reverting to a lone frontman. 

The 4-2-2-2 formation used in qualifying was very effective, with playmakers drifting in from the flanks to create and Colombia's talented full-backs marauding beyond them on either flank, but the absence of Macnelly Torres and now Falcao appears to have pushed Jose Pekerman into a more cautious outlook. 

Carlos Bacca appears to have nudged ahead of Jackson Martinez in the pecking order up front, and if only one forward starts then the Sevilla man could also move ahead of Teo Gutierrez - who isn't particularly suited to playing as a lone striker. 

Bacca is the tournament value to be Colombia's top scorer at 5.69/2, while Juan Cuadrado may chip in with more goals now that the burden must be shared. In a tournament of weak left-backs, a direct right winger who beats people for fun could cause absolute havoc and Cuadrado is one to watch. 

Chile

The question over Chile's opening game remains the fitness of Arturo Vidal. 

While the Juventus midfielder is undoubtedly fighting against time to be ready, the leaks seemingly confirming his absence come a no surprise to long-time followers of coach Jorge Sampaoli. 

While with Universidad de Chile the tactician also showed his skill as a master of diversion. It usually would involve giving radio interviews to overseas broadcasters around the time of big continental games, and he'd hint at leaving the club or selling players but the key was to take the focus off his players and onto himself. 

The fitness of Vidal is now the talking point, and Sampaoli has ended up fielding very few questions on anything else over the last few days which suits his preparations absolutely perfectly. 

With or without Vidal, Chile should comfortably beat Australia and judging by their recent friendlies they haven't changed their style one bit from qualifying. 

At times it is kamikaze, and Egypt showed exactly how easily they can be exposed by well-executed direct passes, but they should beat the Socceroos with ease and score quite a few in the process. 

Over 2.5 Goals looks a great price at 2.166/5 and I wouldn't put you off going for Over 3.5 Goals at 3.8514/5.

Uruguay

Oscar Washington Tabarez and Uruguay have one major doubt over selection and it's not one that will have escaped your notice back in England. 

Luis Suarez's fitness is the talk of this tiny football-mad nation, but the Uruguayans are fortunate that they can probably afford to not risk him for their opener with Costs Rica. 

The Liverpool man being unavailable will undoubtedly blunten the Celeste's attack somewhat but they should have enough about them to see off a stubborn opponent who will play five at the back and look to stifle their opponents. 

The onus will be on Edinson Cavani to step up for the first time in his career as Uruguay's main man, with Suarez having inherited that role from Diego Forlan, and the Paris Saint-Germain striker needs to reproduce his club form on the international stage - something he hasn't done enough. 

Tabarez's men should come through this test but don't expect it to be a goalfest. El Maestro will keep it tight and probably finish the game with a back five if they can get ahead, so I like the look of the 2-0 correct score at 6.611/2.

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