Brazil v South Africa
Football: International, FIFA Confederations Cup
Thursday 25th June 2009 - Kickoff 19:30

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Brazil (FIFA Rank 5)

Brazil won all three of their group games, scoring 10 goals in the process, but it was not all one way traffic, and the opening 4-3 victory over Egypt showed that there are some weaknesses in Brazil's approach to the game.

The Samba Kings seemed to have a superiority complex in that first game, chasing, running, tackling, all seemed beneath them against Egypt and Brazil nearly paid for it.

Against the United States and Italy we saw a more determined and tactically aware Brazil side, and several of Brazil's goals were actually created with counter-attacks starting inside Brazil's own half.

There is little doubt that player for player Brazil have the most talented squad on the planet - and if they turn up to play a committed game then few sides can match Brazil.

South Africa (FIFA Rank 76)

South African coach Joel Santana is talking up his sides achievements heading into this match, but the real facts are that the hosts squeezed out of an easy group by beating minnows New Zealand and drawing with Iraq.

The African side does have a handful of players that can compete at this level (Teko Modise, Steven Pienaar) but the team does not seem to have melded together well under Santana's defensive tactics.

South Africa have only scored against New Zealand, although only Bernard Parker will know how he missed that chance against Iraq, and to beat Brazil I think that South Africa may need to score 2-3 times.

Perhaps we will see more out of South Africa in a years time - but as far as the Confederations Cup goes this looks to be too big of a task.

The Betting Verdict

I think that Brazil have far too much talent and far too many weapons to be held by South Africa over 90 minutes.

Mind you, I thought the same thing about Spain and the United States last night - and look watch happened, a totally committed US performance overcame an over-confident team.

But South Africa are NOT the United States (who are ranked 14th after all) and I cannot see a repeat.

Brazil have been warned by the shock last night, and also by the fact that Egypt pushed them so close in the group stages, and so I expect THIS semi-final to follow the script.

(unless the home crowd can pump up South Africa to a huge performance)

The Pick :

Brazil 2-0 South Africa

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Brazil 80% - Draw 12% - South Africa 8%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I expect BRAZIL to win.