The final match on another busy day in the World Cup will get the excitement levels going up a notch as the Samba Boys of Brazil take to the stage for the first time. They take on Switzerland in the standout match in Group E.
In what looks like an awkward group these two teams are the highest ranked in it and will be expected to qualify for the knockout stages and both will be eager to get something from this game to get into the tournament.
Brazil
They have waited four years but finally Brazil have the chance to show that what happened four years ago was then and this is now. This is a great generation of Brazilian players. They have a front three to be envied and a couple of the likely options from the bench look of the highest quality. Usually you would suggest that with that comes pressure but Brazil are always under that.
If you are looking for weaknesses in this Brazil side, and quite honestly why would you but if you are, it probably comes in their defence but that was not the case in qualifying when they were very tight. Brazil have a decent record in group stages in these tournaments and they look set for a decent opening to this event.
Switzerland
For much of their qualifying campaign, Switzerland were heading the European champions Portugal and we’ve already seen that form franked in this tournament. Ultimately they succumbed to Cristiano Ronaldo and his men in the final group game but they held their nerve in a pretty ordinary two-legged play-off with Northern Ireland to make it through.
The real concern most will have with the Swiss side going into the tournament is their lack of a genuine goal threat. They have a number of forward options in their squad but none of them jump out at you and make you think they are a potential match winner. What they do have is a tight defence but that will be tested to the full here you would think.
Team News
Neymar has played in a couple of friendlies ahead of the tournament and he is expected to start this first match. Philippe Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus may get the other starts up front which means Roberto Firmino will begin on the bench.
Switzerland have Premier League pair Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri fit for this after both had injury scares towards the end of the campaign. A decision needs to be make on who will lead the line with Breel Embolo’s presence maybe getting him the edge.
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Betting
Some matches in this tournament a favourite has felt uneasy in that position but I certainly don’t see Brazil being that here. I think they are as calm and as assured a side as we’re going to get in this competition and I fully expect them to get off to a flying start.
It is hard to see where Switzerland are going to score a goal from. They don’t have a natural high level scorer of goals perhaps with the exception of Shaqiri but he needs time on the ball to do his stuff and Switzerland aren’t likely to get much of that. I expect Brazil to control possession and territory and I see them winning without conceding.
Tips
Back Brazil to win to nil for a 4/10 stake at 2.25 with Betfair
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