Brazil will feature the World Cup affair for the first time since the humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany four years ago on their soil. They are to open the 2018 campaign on Sunday evening against Switzerland at Rostov Arena.Brazil head into the tournament in high spirits after cruising their way to top the South American World Cup Qualifiers.
They are favourites to win each of three group stage matches, but the first one against the stern defensive line of Switzerland could be their biggest test on the way.Both sides have been rock solid at the back recently and we don’t expect a goal fest on Sunday at Rostov Arena.
Brazil arrive to Russia as a heavily upgraded version to the team which reached the semi-final four years ago in their backyard. The new head coach Tite, who arrived midway through the qualifying campaign, has brought the much-needed solidness at the back as he took the most out of powerful defensive weapons in his ranks.
The first-choice right-back Dani Alves was ruled out with an injury leaving Manchester City’s Danilo with a tough task to compensate.Other than this, Tite has the full squad on disposal.Brazil will come out in a 4-3-3 formation as we expect to see the identical starting XI from the final warm-up against Austria.
Brazil Predicted (4-3-3)
Alisson – Marquinhos, Miranda, Danilo, Marcelo – Casemiro, Paulinho, Coutinho – Willian, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus.
Switzerland Predicted (4-2-3-1)
Sommer – Schar, Akanji, Lichtsteiner, Rodriguez – Behrami, Xhaka – Shaqiri, Dzemaili, Zuber – Seferovic.