World Cup Forensics: Brazil vs Costa Rica

Neymar limped out of training earlier this week but he's expected to take his place in the starting lineup against Costa Rica on Friday in St. Petersburg. If he's fit and firing, is this could be the moment he announces himself to the planet at this World Cup.

The Brazilian has a phenomenal record at International level, with 55 goals in 86 games. Costa Rica has already discussed man marking him with not one but two players, such as the threat he provides.

On the Costa Rican side of things Óscar Ramírez has had to battle reports of division amongst his squad. 

"It is true that some players are closer to other players but there are not different groups, there are no problems at all within the team," he said.

"I haven't had to intervene at all. There were no clashes. If clashes really happened then I haven't seen anything and I can't believe anything has happened because they are all very polite and very calm people. So I don't think this is true."

Scheduled media on Wednesday was cancelled amid reports of a rift between Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas and other senior players.

"You have to understand that Keylor is on another level than the rest of us, but that doesn't mean he's not a great teammate, that he isn't himself around us. We just have to thank him for coming, thank him for defending us and for doing what he does on the field to help us" said captain Bryan Ruiz earlier in the week.

A further argument between forward Johan Venegas and defender Giancarlo Gonzalez being briefly broadcast on a Costa Rica Football Federation live feed only further reinforced the reports of tension and further complicated matters.

Whilst Costa Rica defended superbly against Serbia and were unlucky not to score in their 1-0 loss, but Brazil is a completely different animal to come up against. Their world class attack is quite a leap in quality from Serbia's and it will be a torturous 90 minutes for Los Ticos, led by Keylor Nevas in goal.

In team news, Fagner will replace the injured Danilo for Brazil, whilst Costa Rica are expected to be unchanged from their team against Serbia. Christian Bolanos is in contention for a start after impressing off the bench.

Brazil are winning 80 percent of the 10000 simulations run by Stats Insider Models, whilst there is a Draw 14 percent of the time, and Costa Rica wins just 6 percent of simulations.

Costa Rica needs a result in this game, and this is going to play into Brazil's hands. It will open up the game and it shows in the Goals Markets.

65 percent of the time the 2.5 goals mark goes over, so perhaps Neymar and Brazil will trounce Costa Rica's defence.

The Both Teams To Score market makes betting on Brazil to win to nil, or perhaps in the handicap markets very interesting. With improvement expected from Brazil after their draw with Switzerland, Costa Rica could be in some trouble here.

With internal worries and clashing between Navas and other players, Brazil will pile on the misery here. Expect them to win, and to win big.

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