Day 4: The start of the two leading favourites

With defending Champions Germany and the bookie's favourites Brazil set to start their campaigns today in Russia, here is my take on how I expect both teams to fair on what is being called the Super-Sunday of the World Cup. 

Germany

The Germans are looking to defend their title in Russia after winning the competition in Brazil only four years ago. The Germans qualified for the tournament in blistering fashion scoring a total of 43 goals and conceding only 4. 

Coach Joachim Lowe will be determined to stick to traditions when they kick-start their campaign against Mexico at 4pm. Since 1982 the four-time World Champions have started a World Cup with a victory and are expected to follow suit. 

However, this German team is much different from that lifted the trophy in Brazil with the man who scored the winning goal, Mario Gotze, not even being in the squad. The squad boasts a young core with defender Joshua Kimmich, midfielder Leon Goretzka, and striker Timo Werner all making their World Cup debuts. 

Mexico on the overhand will not be rolled over easy as they only lost one game in qualifying for Russia. They also boast a good international record when it comes to tournaments as in for every World Cup they have competed in the Mexicans have also found a way to qualify for the second round. 

Bookies odds: 

Germany – 4/9

Draw – 7/2

Mexico – 7/1

Predictions: 

I can’t see the experienced Germans losing this game, I’m thinking 2-0 with Werner to get on the score sheet. 

Brazil

Brazil are heading into Russia to try and overturn their embarrassing 7-1 Semi-final defeat to Germany on their home turf 4 years ago. They go into the tournament leading favourites and will be looking to live up their expectations when they come up against 

Switzerland. 

Four years after his debut World Cup was ended early by injury PSG forward Neymar will be spearheading the Brazilian team and will be aiming to carry his nation to their 6^thWorld Cup. His participation was cast into doubt when he fractured his right foot back in February. However, his form is unchanged as he scored in two consecutive warm-up matches. Expect him to steal the show one way or another in Russia. 

In addition to Neymar, Brazil, as usual, possess a threating attack with Phillipe Coutinho, Gabriel Jesus and Douglas Costa expected to start alongside him. If called upon Robert Firmino and Chelsea’s Willian could also steal the headlines if they are needed to come off the bench and make an impact. 

Meanwhile, Switzerland have regularly shown they can punch above their weight as they only finished second by goal-difference in their qualification campaign. They have held 2010 World Cup Winners Spain to a 1-1 draw and thrashed tournament debutants Panama 6-0 in their Warm Up games. They also beat eventual champions Spain 1-0 in their opening game in 2010 so I would not be surprised if the Swiss cause an upset. 

Bookies odds: 

Brazil – 2/5

Draw – 7/2

Switzerland – 17/2 

Predictions: 

I’m going for Brazil just to edge it with a 1-0 victory and Neymar to score.