Despite the fact that Brazil are virtually unbackable to see-off North Korea in their opening Group G clash there is still a profit to be made by siding with them and Dunga’s men can open up by routing their fragile opponents.
The Brazilian team of 2010 is different to that of past World Cups, built just as much on a solid defence and goalkeeper as it relies on natural attacking instincts, but it is one which should prove equally effective as tournaments gone by and it is going to take a very good side to beat them.
The so-called Group of Death should hold no fears for Brazil and ahead of more challenging clashes with Portugal and Ivory Coast they’ll want to give the whipping boys just that.
Dating back to USA ’94, Brazil have thrashed the lowest rated team in their group on each occasion, all by at least a three goal margin, but they have probably never come up against opponents quite as poor as North Korea and it looks like being a very long night indeed for Jong-Hun Kim and his players.
Thrashings of Japan (4-1), China (4-0), Morocco (3-0) and Cameroon (3-0) in the early stages of the previous four World Cup finals gives us every indication that Brazil rarely ease off once a win is assured and this team will be eyeing the famous trophy once again.
At 2.10 with Bet 365, Brazil must be backed to defy a two goal handicap and it will be very disappointing if Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano cannot combine to give the Samba Boys a comfortable success.
With veteran Gilberto Silva shielding what is now a robust back five, I think most teams in South Africa will have trouble breaking down the South Americans and North Korea, who stumbled through qualifying behind their great rivals and neighbours, are unlikely to be any different.
Striker Tae-Se Jong has been making some headlines of late, he has an impressive 15 goals in 22 appearances for his country, but you have to go back to Italia ’90 to find the last time that Brazil failed to give their true running on the biggest stage of all (robbed by Argentina in the last 16) and surely they will start their campaign with a routine three points.
With Spain probably awaiting the runners-up of this section, Brazil know that topping it is a must and I’ll be amazed if they record anything but a straightforward success against such limited opponents.
3pts Back Brazil (-2 Asian Handicap, vs. North Korea) @ 1.70 (Bet 365)