JAPAN v BRAZIL, CROATIA v BRAZIL - THE BEAN PREVIEW

THE POSSIBLE OUTCOMES

Group F is similar to group E as all the teams have the chance of making the second round, but only Brazil are guaranteed a place into the last sixteen; however it should make a pulsating evening of action tonight. The Brazilians only need a draw with Japan to guarantee top spot.

Japan will need to beat Brazil by at least three clear goals to have any hope of qualifying. If Australia and Croatia draw Japan will need to overhaul the Aussies superior goal difference, if Croatia win the same applies. If Australia wins the Japanese will be out.

Australia still have a slim chance of finishing top of the group, providing Japan can shock the world champions. The Socceroos will need to make up a goal difference of three if it was to happen, but any win will guarantee their passage to the last sixteen. A draw will virtually ensure they finish second, but a defeat will eliminate them and either Croatia or Japan will pick up the spoils.

Croatia simply need to win to advance to the next stages of the competition and ensure that they have a better goal difference than (if they win) Japan.

TEAM NEWS

Brazil are expected to give starts to Robinho and Juninho Pernambucano, but it is unknown who these players will replace. What has been confirmed is that out of sorts' striker Ronaldo will be given a final chance to show some form.

Japan's head coach and former World Cup winner with Brazil Zico is pondering on changing the Japanese frontline after only scoring once in the competition. Naohiro Takahara and Atsushi Yanagisawa will be left sweating whilst Keiji Tamada and Seiichiro Maki will be chomping at the bit.

The Aussies will be without Crystal Palace player Tony Popovic who has a calf strain. Harry Kewell is available to play after being threatened with a match ban after the degrading comments he made about the abysmal performance of Marcus Merk in the match against Brazil.

Croatia are to make two changes. Robert Kovac is suspended and will be replaced with Stjepan Tomas. Ivan Klasnic is being dropped to the bench and will be replaced by Ivica Olic.

BETTING ODDS

Brazil 2/9 - Draw 9/2 - Japan 11/1

In the last two meetings between the two teams Japan have managed to scrap for a draw. The last time was a 2-2 result in last years Confederations Cup. For a repeat scoreline the odds are 25/1. For any chance of the Japanese making the knockout phases they need to win by at least three goals. For any scoreline with a three goal margin has odds of 500/1.

Depending on how Brazil treats this match it could be a thumping or it could be a training ground match. For a 4-0 win there is odds of 12/1. For a 1-0 victory the odds are 5/1.

Brazilian born Santos would love to get a goal against his former homeland and the Japanese midfielder has odds of 28/1 to get the first goal of the game. Celtic midfielder Nakamura who has Japan's only goal of the tournament so far has a price of 20/1 to net the first goal.

With Robinho favouring to start you can get some great odds for him opening the scoring. The current price is 11/2. For Roberto Carlos to break the deadlock the price is 18/1.

My Prediction - 3-1 to Brazil at odds of 10/1.

Australia 9/4 draw 21/10 Croatia 6/5

As mentioned before a draw will be suffice for the Australians, but that is not in the mentality of the Aussie nation and will want to win. A 2-1 win has odds of 9/1 and 3-1 has odds of 33/1.

It is a must win game for Croatia and will throw everything at the Socceroos to get the victory. However they have failed to score so far and can probably only muster a single goal. A 1-0 win has odds of 11/2.

Mark Viduka's family originates from Croatia and it would be really sweet for him to open up his World Cup account against his ancestral home. For the Middlesbrough front man to score the opening goal the odds are 13/2. Tim Cahill who has two goals to his name already has odds of 11/1 to be the first to register on the score sheet this evening.

Croatia are hoping Dado Prso can open his account this evening to kick start their World Cup campaign and the odds for him scoring first are 11/2. Marco Babic's current price is 16/1.

My Prediction - Australia to win 2-1 (9/1)

Predicted table

1. Brazil
2. Australia
3. Croatia
4. Japan

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