Brazil got the win they needed last time out against Haiti to put themselves in a strong position in the Group, but they’ll want to win this one against a resilient Scotland in order to try to top the Group.
Scotland aren’t without their own chances to progress here, so it’s all to play for. Let’s look at what might happen.
Brazil to Win Again
The bet we like here is that Brazil will win with over 1.5 goals in the game. It would have been a winner in each of the last five matches between these two and in four of Brazil’s last five.
A correct score of 2-0 or 3-0 looks like possible scores here, and either of those would do us just fine.
- Key Stat: Scotland drew this fixture in 1966 and then again in 1974, but it’s been all Brazil since, winning all of the next six matches.
- Best Bet: Brazil to win and Over 1.5 Goals
- Odds: 1.62 (at the moment of writing)
Scotland
Scotland has performed pretty much to expectations so far, narrowly winning their first match against Haiti (1-0) before being on the receiving end of a 1-0 loss of their own against Morocco; no disgrace there.
They’ve been decent, hard-working and organised but have lacked just that little bit of quality in forward areas, which was always going to be a concern coming into this tournament. Scott McTominay and Che Adams need to do better.
But they’re not out of it just yet. Whereas a win here is highly unlikely, a draw isn’t impossible, and that could well be enough to send them through as one of the best third-placed teams. What they do have to avoid, though, is a heavy defeat here, as that could ruin their chances of progressing on goal difference.
- Player to watch: Scott McTominay - 5.5 to score anytime / 5.5 to have 2 or more shots on target
Brazil
Brazil put that mediocre performance behind them against Morocco with a good 3-0 win over Haiti, with Manchester United man Matheus Cunha scoring two and the ever-lively Vinicius Jr getting the other, also assisting one.
But it’s not a 3-0 win against Haiti that’s going to prove to the doubters that they can go all the way.
One immediate concern is the injury of Raphinha, picked up after 40 minutes against Haiti. He hasn’t really got going so far this tournament, but has been excellent for Barcelona these past few seasons and will be missed if, as expected, he doesn’t make it, with one of Endrick, Martinelli or Rayan expected to come in for him.
Neymar continues his own recovery from injury and may feature here at last.
- Player to watch: Matheus Cunha - 2.1 to have 2 or more shots on target / 2.0 to score or assist
Did you know?
The last time these two played each other was back in 2011, with Brazil winning 2-0 and Neymar scoring both goals. If Neymar plays in this match, he’ll be the only player from either side to have played in the 2011 game and this one.
