World Cup 2022 Brazil vs Switzerland Tips & Predictions

World Cup Group G continues with a tough challenge for favourites Brazil – this time a tricky tie against another European team in the form of Switzerland. The game takes place at Stadium 974 on Monday 28th November, kicking off at 7pm local time.

With Serbia and Cameroon also featuring in this group, there are no easy games, but both of these sides got off to good starts. Brazil looked classy against Serbia, but will be hoping main man Neymar can recover from an ankle knock. Switzerland were rather more laboured in their win over Cameroon, but it was only the three points that mattered. Both teams are in good shape moving into this one.

Unsurprisingly, the World Cup betting odds place Brazil as firm favourites for this game. Indeed, Tite’s men are tipped for the tournament, as you can find with the likes of 22bet. But being favourites and actually living up to that tag are two different things entirely. Switzerland should provide a stern test of Brazil’s credentials here.

• This will be the third meeting between these two sides at World Cups. The two previous encounters, in 1950 and 2018, ended in 2-2 and 1-1 draws respectively.
• That 1-1 draw four years ago in the groups stages was the two sides’ opening game. Phillipe Coutinho opened the scoring for Brazil, while Steven Zuber equalised for the Swiss.
• The all-time record between these two teams is all square, with goals for and against also even. As well as those two World Cup draws, Switzerland claimed a 1-0 win in an international friendly in 2013, while Brazil claimed the honours in a 2-1 in Switzerland back in 2006.
• Both of these teams are in good form, having won their last four games apiece. Indeed, Brazil have not lost a game in over a year since tasting defeat in the Copa America final against Argentina.

Group G looked a tricky proposition when it was drawn out of the hat, but both teams will be feeling confident after securing victories on matchday one. The recent form of the two sides is informative, with both having secured victories in their last four games apiece. Brazil have been blitzing all-comers, but it’s debatable that Tite’s men will have faced a team as well drilled as this Swiss outfit. Switzerland have enjoyed some difficult games in both their World Cup qualifying group and their Nations league group, scoring against (and at times defeating) teams of the calibre of Italy, Spain and Portugal. That is why we fancy both teams to register here.

 BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE - YES

So we think both teams will score. But will there be a winner? With both teams having secured victory in their opening games, a draw here could suit both. The two played out a 1-1 draw four years ago, and we expect something similar to occur here.

BET ON UNDER 2.5 GOALS TO BE SCORED IN THE MATCH

This will be a close game, even though the betting odds are heavily in Brazil’s favour. Historically the games between these two have been tight, and they have played out two previous World Cup draws, including in Russia four years ago when the game ended 1-1. Both are in good form heading into this one, and a draw would probably suit both too heading into their final group games.

THE MATCH TO END IN A DRAW

Brazil

Brazil are the most successful side in international football history, and have graced every single World Cup with their unique brand of football. But it’s been twenty years since the South Americans last tasted success in the world’s biggest football tournament. They are heavily tipped by the likes of bet365 to claim outright success in Qatar, and got off to a flier against Serbia to justify their favourites tag.

Key Player/s: Pick a player here. Neymar is perhaps Brazil’s most recognisable player, but there’s plenty of other top-class talent, such as Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, Liverpool’s Allison and Fabinho, and Barcelona’s Raphina. The squad depth is impressive too. 

Team news: Coach Tite will be concerned by the ankle knock star man Neymar suffered against the Serbs. Neymar will have a scan to discover the extent of that injury. Danilo also limped off in that game and must be considered an injury doubt. 

Predicted Lineup: Allison, Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Alex Sandro, Danilo, Casemiro, Lucas Paqueta, Neymar, Richarlison, Vinicius Junior, Raphina

Switzerland

Switzerland are often overlooked but could be a force to be reckoned with at this World Cup. As well as winning three of their six matches in a tough Nations League group featuring both Spain and Portugal, the Swiss also topped World Cup qualifying group C ahead of European Champions Italy. Murat Yakin’s team will be no pushovers, for Brazil or anyone else.

Key Player/s: The Swiss have a number of key players, including top scorer Haris Sefereovic, and two London-based midfielders, Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka and Chelsea’s Denis Zakaria. At the back, the team will be marshalled by Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Newcastle’s Fabian Schär. 

Team news: The squad has no injury concerns after that opening victory over Cameroon.

Predicted Lineup: Sommer, Rodriguez, Elvedi, Akanji, Widmer, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Freuler, Sow, Seferovic, Embolo

This promises to be another good game in Group G, and the Swiss will put up a tough resistance against a Brazil side that is heavily fancied. Tite’s men may not get things all their own way in this one as the Swiss have rolled plenty of big boys recently. A surprising draw could well be on the cards.

Bet on the match to end in a draw