Pre-tournament favourites Brazil take on Switzerland in this Group G fixture, which will see the winner all but guarantee qualification for the last 16.
Five-time champions Brazil, have lived up to expectations so far, running out convincing 2-0 winners over a strong Serbia side in their opening game. Two second half goals from Tottenham attacker Richarlison helped the Seleção begin in the best possible way, including a superb volley, arguably the most memorable moment of the World Cup so far.
Switzerland meanwhile got the better of Cameroon thanks to Breel Embolo’s strike in the second half which gave them a tensely contested 1-0 win. This fixture will be familiar to both as the two sides also met in the 2018 World Cup group stage which saw them play out a 1-1 draw in Russia.
Brazil will be without star player and leader Neymar after he sustained an ankle injury against Serbia after he was fouled a tournament leading nine times. Despite this, Brazil boss Tite won’t be too worried due to the vast amount of quality he has waiting in the wings.
Brazil predicted XI | Alisson; Militao, Silva, Marquinhos, Sandro; Casemiro, Paqueta; Raphinha, Jesus, Richarlison; Vinicius Junior.
Switzerland predicted XI | Sommer; Widmer; Akanji, Elvedi, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka, Sow; Shaqiri, Embolo, Vargas.
Prediction | Brazil 2-0 Switzerland: Switzerland were more solid than impressive against Cameroon. Whereas Brazil looked the part and while the absence of Neymar will lessen the threat, still expect the ‘Joga Bonito’ of Brazil to be too much for the Swiss.
Jonathan Maze | GWFN
