FIFA World Cup 2014 Predictions: Match #4 Chile vs. Australia

Final Score

Chile 3 Australia 1

Overview

The fourth match of the FIFA World Cup 2014 is going to be held between Chile and Australia. While they are in Group B with European giants like Spain and the Netherlands fighting for the top spot on the table, there is hardly anyone who is expecting them to get past the group stages. Winning this match is critical for both these teams as it will leave a ray of hope left for them to upset the table.

Teams

Chile: Chile finished third from the South American Zone and has promising players who can take it forward. Chile won the last two pre-World Cup friendlies against Egypt (3-2) and Northern Ireland (2-0). However, it lost its earlier match against Germany (0-1). The best part was that it was able to defend so well that a highly attacking team like Germany could only score once. They have Argentinean coach Jorge Sampaoli who should bank a lot on Esteban Paredes, Fabián Orellana and Jorge Valdívia to score. Captain Claudio Bravo has to defend the net well. A big win against Australia will keep the possibility to go to the next round alive.

Australia: This is the third consecutive time that Australia is a part of the World Cup. The journey this time had its ups and down. With a new coach on board, the team is going through a transition phase. If Australia manages to get past the group stages, it will be a tremendous achievement for Ange Postecoglou's team. A lot will depend on the brilliance of Tim Cahill. The leading goal scorer of the country is still the most lethal weapon the team has. A lot will depend on how it manages to defend against Chile as well.

Head to Head

These two teams played against each other 4 times before. Chile won 3 and the other match ended in a draw. There were 7 goals scored, and Chile scored 6 of them.

Key Players

Chile: Esteban Paredes, Claudio Bravo & Alexis Sanchez

Australia: Tim Cahill

Date, Time & Venue

Brazil's time zone is UTC/GMT -3. The match starts at 6 pm (local time) on June 13, which means it is 8 am on June 14 in New South Wales, Australia. The match will be held at Arena Pantanal in Cuiaba.

Prediction

It will be difficult for Australia to defend against Chile which is a much stronger team on paper. Chile will in the match 2-1 and keep their hopes alive.

Group Predictions

Group A, Group B, Group C, Group D, Group E, Group F, Group G & Group H

Reference: FIFA

Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@ibtimes.com.au