Verdict: Under 2,5 goals – yes
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: 888sport
Based on recent results, Brazil have now emerged as one of the top candidates to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup. La Selecao will endure a tough game in the Round of 16, however, as they will take on a rising Mexico side that already caused a huge shock when they defeated Germany in the Group Stage. Will Brazil live up to the expectations, or will Mexico create another earthquake in the football world? The game will kick-off this Monday at 15:00 hrs, BST.
Brazil
Brazil have been trending on the right direction if we analyse their three World Cup fixtures thus far. They began their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Switzerland, but later recovered with two consecutive 2-0 wins over both Costa Rica – thanks to Neymar and Philippe Coutinho – and Serbia – goals Paulinho and Thiago Silva – that lifted La Selecao to the top spot in Group E. Even though Tite’s men have not looked as dominant as they looked during the World Cup Qualifiers, they are still a team worth calling a contender, especially considering Argentina, Germany and Spain are all out of the tournament. The Brazilian side is looking to win their sixth World Cup title, and it seems they have everything on their favour to claim that title. But a little improvement on their performances wouldn’t hurt anyone, especially if Neymar finally appears and gets into the form everyone has been expecting out of him.
Team News
Brazil will have an important absence ahead of this game. Real Madrid’s talented full-back Marcelo has been ruled out due to an injury sustained in the Group Stage finale against Serbia.
Juventus’ winger Douglas Costa has been ruled out as well due to injury. Filipe Luis and Willian will be the respective replacements.
Mexico
If Brazil have been trending in the right direction, then it would be fair to say that Mexico have been flowing in the opposite direction. And honestly, it would have been hard for them to maintain what they did in the first game. El Tri kicked things off with a sounding 1-0 win over Germany in the debut, and later secured a 2-1 win over South Korea. They seemed set to cruise their way into the knockout stages, but they suffered an out-of-nowhere 3-0 defeat against Sweden that kept them on their toes to move into the Round of 16. Mexico’s manager Juan Carlos Osorio acknowledged that he “committed mistakes” on the planning for the game against Sweden, and he can’t let that happen once again because Brazil is not going to back down at any moment. But which Mexico side will feature here? If they play like they did against Germany, then they could easily pulled another upset. But if they play like they did against Sweden, then there are big chances of them departing Russia in the coming days.
Team News
Mexico are reportedly at full strength entering this game.
However, they could make several changes. Osorio does not maintain the same starting XI from one game to another, and it is likely that he will make adjustments once again in order to adjust the team to annul what Brazil might do.
Key Factors to Consider
- Brazil have scored at least two goals in 15 of their last 18 WC games.
- Brazil have kept a clean sheet vs Mexico in each of their last three meetings.
- There have been under 2.5 goals scored in six of Brazil’s last seven games.
- Mexico, on the other hand, have seen over 2,5 goals in their past three games. However, there have been under 2,5 in seven of their last 10 in all competitions.
- Brazil have won three of the last five matches against Mexico, with W3, D1, L1.
- The last four meetings between both sides have seen under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
One could say that the games between these two sides have been close based on recent stats. And even though a knockout-stage-match could open things up, this won’t be the case. I fully expect under 2.5 goals scored in this one.
Verdict: Under 2,5 goals – yes
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: 888sport
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