Cameroon v Brazil Tips December 2

The World Cup knockout stages are almost here, but before they get underway there are a couple of extra spots left to finalise, including one from Group G.

Brazil have already qualified and look set to top the group no matter what happens on Friday given their positive goal difference, but the second spot remains up for grabs with Cameroon, Serbia and Switzerland still in the race.

But it is Rigobert Song’s Cameroon who have the toughest task as they face the five-time world champions, who haven’t even conceded a shot on target in Qatar so far, let alone a goal.

Brazil are without Neymar, of course, but that doesn’t mean they are short of attacking threats or goals. There’s also the small matter of the fact that they’re on a record-breaking 17-game unbeaten run in the group stages of this prestigious competition. We’ve seen plenty of shocks in Doha, though, and the Seleção will look at France’s defeat to Tunisia on Wednesday as a cautionary tale.

A tough one to predict

It’s always difficult to call a game when it involves an underdog that needs to beat a side that has already effectively secured top spot. And that becomes even more difficult when one of the teams has been as Jekyll and Hyde as the Indomitable Lions.

Nothing but victory will be enough for Song’s side in Lusail, while Brazil could lose and still finish top of Group G - even if a defeat for the favourites is very much against the odds (9.6).

Neymar: won't be in action for Brazil after suffering an injury

Tite’s impressive defensive record suggests that it’s going to be a tough day at the office for Cameroon. However, the African side have no choice but to throw caution to the wind.

But Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Vincent Aboubakar are a handful. The former is at 11.5 score anytime, while the latter is available at 10.5. The shortest odds in that market are for Pedro (5.3), Richarlison (5.3) and Gabriel Jesus (5.5), though it’s unknown at this stage exactly who will lead the Brazilian line.

World Cup Royalty

Despite the aforementioned underdog stories and the fact that Brazil don’t have a necessity to win, you can’t really bet against them in this tournament. They’re not just a flair team these days - they are solid and robust. They also don’t concede too many goals when they are at full strength.

Song’s side will go for it, but it just feels unlikely that they will have enough to overcome a Brazilian side that is bursting with quality and on a mission to end a 20-year run without a tournament win on the world stage.

It’s all about timing

There have been so many games this World Cup that have entered half-time with a scoreline of 0-0, and it is interesting that Brazil haven’t scored a single first-half goal yet. Two of Cameroon’s goals came in the second half as well.

You could name the second stanza as the highest-scoring half at 1.98, or even go for both teams to score in the second half for 3.5 if you fancied something a bit more niche. But my money is on Brazil and over 2.5 goals.