Brazil will play Switzerland this Monday in their second group-stage game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Venue: Stadium 974 (Doha)
Key Statistics
Brazil have the most wins (74) and goals (231) in World Cup history.
They are unbeaten in their last 16 games (W13, D3).
Brazil have won their last eight games.
They have kept six clean sheets in their last eight games.
Switzerland have won four of their last five games (L1).
Seven of Brazil’s last eight victories have arrived by more than a one-goal margin.
Switzerland’s Xherdan Shaqiri has played a part in 12 of their last 24 goals across their last four major tournaments (G8, A4).
World Cup trivia: Brazil’s Jairzinho is the only player to have scored in every one of his nation’s games at a World Cup tournament, including a final, with his seven goals across six games at Mexico ’70.
Head to head
Brazil have won just three of nine historical H2H clashes (D4, L2).
Latest performances in all competitions
Brazil: W-W-W-W-W
Switzerland: W-L-W-W-W
Brazil
Brazil showed why they are one of the early contenders for the title by taking all three points from a physical Serbian team at the Lusail Stadium in their opening Group G game.
The South American giants started the game in typical fashion, with some intricate passes and fancy footwork repeatedly carving out the Serbian defence in the first half. However, some good goal-keeping by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and poor finishing by Raphinha, who was presented with two glorious chances in the first half, ensured that the first half ended in a goalless draw.
The Samba Boys continued to dominate the affair in the second half, and Alex Sandro came close to opening the scoring in the 59th minute with a rasping drive from outside the 18 which kissed the downside of the woodwork. Brazil continued to probe for a goal which eventually came in the 62nd minute when Richarlison reacted the quickest to a tap in a rebound following a Vinicius jr shot.
The tricky Real Madrid winger turned provider eleven minutes later to set up Richarlison, who produced an outrageous scissors kick to send the Brazilian corner of Lusail Stadium into a meltdown.
The only blip on their win was an injury to starman Neymar jr, who has since been ruled out with injury for the entirety of the group stages. However, Brazil is on the verge of booking an early passage into the competition’s knockout phase with a win, and head coach Leonardo Tite will be keen to see his side pick up all three points against second-placed Switzerland. The Brazillian manager will fancy his team’s chances against the Swiss side after their impressive outing last time out.
Possible Brazil starting line-up
Alisson, Alex Telles, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Alex Sandro, Lucas Paquetá, Casemiro, Raphinha, Antony Matheus dos Santos, Vinícius Júnior, Richarlison.
Injured: Neymar
Doubtful: Danilo
Suspended: None
Switzerland
On the other hand, Switzerland will be looking to build on their 1-0 win over Cameroon in their first Group G game.
Breel Embolo scored the only goal for the Swiss side in a must-win game which was both physically and tactically gruelling, with Cameroon having caused them all sorts of trouble with their pace and tenacity.
Yann Sommer was the difference maker for the Swiss side in a goalless first half as the Borussia Mönchengladbach keeper pulled out impressive saves, one to deny Choupo-Moting, who had looked sure to find the back of the net.
The win saw Marut Yankin’s side open up their World Cup account in the best possible way and sit second in Group G behind Brazil. However, the Swiss side now faces a daunting task as they come up against Group G and title favourites, with a place in the knockout rounds at stake.
Despite claiming three points against Cameroon, head coach Marut Yankin knows that his team won’t stand a chance against Leonardo Tite’s side with that kind of performance and will be keen to see them show more cutting-edge and desire when they come up against the Selecao.
However, Switzerland holds a favourable head-to-head advantage over the South Americans, having avoided defeat in their last two meetings in the World Cup with the South American giants. Head coach Marut Yankin will be looking to draw inspiration from these encounters to help his team claim victory.
Possible Switzerland starting line-up
Yann Sommer, Silvan Widmer, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, Ricardo Rodriguez, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri, Djibril Sow, Ruben Vargas, Breel Embolo.
Injured: None
Doubtful: Renato Steffen
Suspended: None
Odds
| Brazil to win | Draw | Switzerland to win | |
| Odds | 1.50 | 4.33 | 6.50 |
| Probability (%) | 63 | 22 | 15 |
Prediction
Brazil 2-0 Switzerland
Live Stream
For details, FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 – TV Broadcast / Live Stream
