There are three sides in with a shot at qualification in World Cup Group A, and nobody is guaranteed a place in the next stage despite Brazil still being favourites with a lot of bookies. After Mexico won the Olympic gold medals over Brazil in 2012 they’ll have a taste for upsetting the famous gold shirts, but tonight they’ll be more concerned with securing a spot in round two, and for that they have to at least pick up a draw from this match tonight, while Croatia need the victory. The return of Mario Mandzukic to the Croatian side has made a huge difference to their attack, and the Bayern striker will be a key player this evening, and Croatia are expected to stay with him leading the same side that beat Cameroon last time out. Mexico may also remain unchanged with Guillermo Ochoa taking much of the praise for his performance against Brazil.

The equation for Brazil is simple tonight, anything other than a defeat against Cameroon and they are into round two of the FIFA World Cup being so controversially held on their own soil, but playing for a draw is always risky, and even more so against a team like Cameroon. So far the Africans have pretty much done nothing at this competition, but have remarkable ability throughout the squad and may play up for the fans as much as anything else now they are certain to be going home, and that means Brazil will need to win the match to feel safe. Add to that the fact three points means the hosts will surely finish atop their group and it’s a no-brainer, but there is a chance that if Cameroon win, and Croatia draw with Mexico that Brazil will go out after just three games, and make a few bookies even richer. Brazil’s main concern is over the fitness of Hulk, while Thiago Silva, Luiz Gustavo and Neymar are all on a yellow card.