2014 World Cup Free Picks: Brazil vs. Colombia

4 p.m., Friday, July 4 - Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza (ESPN)

Match Betting Lines

Brazil enters this quarterfinal match favored over their fellow South Americans as -118 favorites. Colombia are +380 underdogs while the draw can be bet at +275. The total is set at 2.5 goals.

Brazil

Let's be transparent: Brazil was lucky to get past a tricky Chile side. Their match was 1-1 throughout the second half and into extra time. It took three penalty kick misses by the underdogs in order for the tournament host to advance. And the storyline still remains: Neymar, the team's star, continues to shine while the rest of the team looks pedestrian at best. Up front the team's lone striker Fred looks absolutely horrible and his replacement Jo looks pretty lackluster just the same. No way this overall production in attack gets them to the semis past Colombia.

Colombia

Simply put, Colombia has been the most impressive team in the tournament to this point. James Rodriguez, just the same, has been the World Cup player of the tournament with his magnificent midfield play. Right now Colombia looks awfully difficult of a side to beat, and it will take Brazil's best performance of the tournament to get by them and book a spot into the semis. Colombia continues to flourish going forward, and anything less than two goals seems to be not enough if an opponent wants to knock off this World Cup sleeper. Actually, sleeper no more.

Match Analysis

How will Brazil attack in this match? Thus far the formation used by Brazil has not yielded optimum results. They are getting little to no production from their strikers and relying too much on Neymar on the left flank. Colombia surely will contribute more of the same with their own attack, and it will be interesting to see how the Brazil defense reacts to being on their back heels in this match, mainly the team's centre backs.

Key Injuries, Suspensions, Yellow Cards

Both teams are likely to have full starting XIs for this massive quarterfinal tie. The main question is what Brazil's Luiz Felipe Scolari will do up front with the use of his striker. Fred, Jo or something new?

Tony's Pick

Chile almost came up with the goods to shock Brazil. Colombia might have enough to pull it off. Right now there is no doubt Colombia has been the most impressive team between the two to this point. If Brazil don't play their best match of the tournament here, they will bow out at this stage and see Colombia advance to keep playing. The prediction is 2-1 to the Colombians.

Doc's Sports has full coverage of the 2014 World Cup and more articles throughout this summer's major soccer tournament. Strike Point Sports is one of the top soccer handicappers with their success on the big tournament stage. From the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008, 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, SPS earned $100 clients over $8,200 in profit from these four major events. This summer's World Cup is going to be another moneymaking opportunity, and they are looking forward to their soccer selections and another winning tournament.

Read more articles by Tony Sink