please log in to view this image Arena Amazonias, Manaus 23:00 BST please log in to view this image Cameroon and Croatia will both be aiming to avoid World Cup elimination when they meet in World Cup Group A in Manaus. With Brazil and Mexico having both progressed to four points as a result of their goalless draw in Fortaleza on Tuesday night, the pressure is on for the other two teams in the pool. Defeat for either at the Arena Amazonia in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations would mean failure to qualify for the last 16 of the tournament. Cameroon, who lost 1-0 to Mexico last Friday, are likely to have to cope without striker Samuel Eto'o, who is nursing a knee injury sustained in the closing stages of Chelsea's season. The 33-year-old has not been ruled out however, having told Cameroon media on Tuesday: "I hope the gods grant me a miracle and that I am able to defend my country." Eto'o played the full 90 minutes in Natal and could be replaced by Fenerbahce frontman Pierre Webo, although Vincent Aboubakar - who hit 16 goals for Lorient in Ligue 1 last season - is also pushing to get the nod in Volker Finke's starting line-up. Former Aston Villa man Jean Makoun may slot into a defensive midfield berth after shaking off an ankle injury. Mario Mandzukic is back for Croatia after serving a one-match ban for the 3-1 tournament-opener defeat by Brazil in Sao Paulo. Nikica Jelavic is expected to make way for Mandzukic, who hit 18 goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga last season. Luka Modric has shaken off a foot injury and will start the game for Niko Kovac's side. Versatile left-sided player Danijel Pranjic is also available again to Kovac after an ankle injury kept him out on Thursday. Speaking to FIFA.com on the benefit of Mandzukic's return, he said: "He definitely makes us stronger and you can't replace him like-for-like. "He's prepared to go out and âdieâ for the cause. Lajic [Jelavic] did really well against Brazil, but Mario is Mario. We need him. Weâre a totally different team without him." please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Paul Merson's prediction I thought Croatia were unlucky against Brazil - they looked decent in that game. Whereas Cameroon were terrible; they were nearly as bad as Nigeria and Iran on Monday night⦠nearly. Thatâs the worst game Iâve ever seen in football history. They could be playing until Christmas and they wouldnât score a goal. This one is going to be a walk in the park. Paul predicts: 0-2 Opta facts Cameroon have lost their last five World Cup matches; the longest losing streak of any African nation at the tournament. Croatia will have Mario Mandzukic available for selection for the first time in this World Cup finals tournament. No player scored more headed goals than the Bayern Munich striker in the top five European leagues in 2013-14 (7). Croatia have not won any of their last five World Cup matches (L3 D2), with their last WC finals victory coming in 2002 versus Italy (2-1). Cameroon only attempted one shot on target in the whole of their opening group stage game against Mexico and this came in the 91st minute.
Cameroon not known for attractive women then? All over Croatia tonight. Can't see Cameroon getting near them but then again I backed Spain to win the whole thing.
Well that depends on your taste of the female form my friend. That was all I could find in that department. I'm hoping for a 90+ min goal here as my predictions have been absolutely shocking. That being the case, I must make sure that I predict Uruguay to win on Rollers's prediction thread. 2-1 Croatia in this one.
With Mbia & BAE onboard Cameroon have the ability / liability quotient turned up to 11. Which way will they go??
Where's BAE, he's literally missing every time Croatia go down the right, he's not even in the shot! Mbia with a crap dive, the ref is laughing at him,
I like Mbia. Hes talented & useless in equal measure. Even the ref had to laugh at his rolling about then, 2 mins after he pinged a superb cross in