Cameroon and Croatia both came up short looking for three points in their Group A opener, which means this game coming up on Wednesday has a whole new meaning. The loser can all but book their tickets back home, while the winner lives to fight another day at the World Cup in Brazil.
World Cup Odds: Croatia -160, Cameroon +475, Draw +280
Why Cameroon Can Win
Well, anything can happen at the World Cup as we have seen so many times, so there is always a chance for Cameroon to shock the world. Manager Volker Finke simply has to line up more positive and send out an attacking team because they sat back far too much in their 1-0 loss to Mexico, a scoreline that flattered them as Mexico had a couple of goals called back for offside, at least one of which was the wrong call. Even without captain Samuel Eto’o, who has a knee injury and is a doubt for this match, Cameroon has to push forward because if not, they’re out.
Elimination will probably happen for Cameroon anyway, but they can at least play with pride and leave everything out on the field, and then see what happens. They have Brazil to wrap up Group A, so it’s basically win this or bust.
Why Croatia Can Win
Croatia was the second-best team in a 3-1 loss to Brazil, but the penalty won by the hosts was a little cheap and that was just enough to make Croatia mad, which doesn’t bode well for Cameroon. They’ll have Mario Mandzukic back from suspension, and he is probably their best striker, which gives Luka Modric a target to supply up front. Croatia actually went at Brazil more than many expected them to, although they should have probably sat back a little more, but that is promising for them going into this critical game.
Croatia can’t look past Cameroon to their match against Mexico to round out Group A. That match won’t mean as much if they can’t beat Cameroon and they’re going to have to focus all of their attention on an opponent that has nothing to lose, which can be dangerous in itself. Croatia has the skill to win this game and they have the motivation; for a team that missed out on 2010 and went out in the group stage in the two previous World Cups after finishing third in their 1998 debut, this is a massive match.
Outlook
This is the first meeting for Cameroon and Croatia, so there isn’t any history to look through. All there is, is the present and Croatia has the upper hand. If Eto’o plays, there is always the chance that Cameroon can score a goal, but how fit would he even be? It would be the upset of the World Cup so far if Cameroon were to win this game, and even a draw would be a boost for them, but Croatia takes this game rather easily.
Pick: Croatia
