Brazil vs Switzerland Prediction
28th November 2022
19:00 Qatar Time/16:00 GMT
Stadium 974, Doha
World Cup Tournament Form:
Brazil
Serbia
2-0
Switzerland
Cameroon
1-0
Brazil vs Switzerland Prediction Match Overview
Having won their opening games, the winner of Brazil vs Switzerland will take a massive step toward the round of 16 in this game. Brazil were slow to start against Serbia, as the first half was relatively tepid. However, they played much better in the second half, constantly opening the Eastern Europeans up. Indeed, Brazil had nine shots on target and 59 per cent possession, controlling the game. Ultimately, their class told as they opened up Serbia for Richarlison to tap home a rebound. He then scored again with a stunning scissor kick into the corner of the Serbian goal. The Brazilians will be fired up for Brazil vs Switzerland as they know they can make a further statement to the rest of the big guns in the tournament. However, they will be without talisman Neymar, as he got injured in the Serbia game.
Switzerland come into the game having beaten Africans Cameroon 1-0. It was a closer game than some perhaps anticipated, with the Cameroon wingers and forwards threatening the Swiss backline in the first half. The Swiss took their time opening the scoring. Breel Embolo fired home the winner from close range after an Xherdan Shaqiri cross in the second half. Switzerland enter this game well aware of the considerable Brazilian attacking threat. Switzerland tend to play quite conservatively at tournaments, and we expect them to do so against Brazil in the face of their danger.
Injuries and Suspensions
Might not play: Steffen (Switzerland)
Will not play: Neymar, Danilo (Brazil)
Possible Lineups
Brazil vs Switzerland Prediction Analysis
The Midfield Contest
The battle for midfield supremacy will likely be vital, as some high-quality midfielders are on show. Five-time Champions League winner Casemiro is the main engine of the Brazilian team. He will probably be joined by Manchester United clubmate Fred and West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta. This three-player midfield will be able to collect the ball from the Brazilian centre-backs and attempt to control the game. If they can, it will give them the platform to feed the significantly talented front three. Switzerland have their own Premier League experience, with captain and Arsenal player Granit Xhaka joined by Nottingham Forest’s Remo Freuler. Djibril Sow will also likely play. Both midfields are very experienced, but the Swiss are up against it in this match.
Brazil are likely to control the ball and have the lion’s share of possession. However, the Swiss will not mind this situation as they are used to conceding the ball against superior football nations. They will try to sit in and hold their shape and not allow the Brazilians to come on to them. They would be better trying to press the Brazilian midfield players, as Fred especially is vulnerable to being closed down. However, Xhaka and Freuler are more likely to sit deeper. The pattern of play should therefore be one of Brazil attacking and the Swiss trying to keep them out. Xhaka is a disciplinary risk as he often collects yellow (and even red) cards. The three Swiss midfielders must be disciplined and cover spaces that the Brazilians will look to exploit between the Swiss defensive and midfield lines.
The Wide Areas and Front Men
The width will also be crucial in Brazil vs Switzerland. Both teams have fast, tricky dribblers who can take a player on and open up space. Brazil’s full-backs are not as attack-minded and cavalier as Brazilian full-backs of old, and Danilo will be missing. We expect Eder Militao to play right-back as a result (and Militao is generally a centre-back). Alex Sandro will likely play left-back again, but he is less young or spritely than he once was. Therefore, Brazilian coach Tite will rely heavily on his front three players to create and make things happen. Sandro is serviceable going forward, but Vinicius Junior wide left has the pace, creativity and invention to go past players and make things happen. He will look to come inside Silvan Widmer and on to the Swiss centre-backs to shoot or play cute balls into Richarlison. Vinicius will be vital in this match, as will Raphinha on the right. They both play as inverted wingers coming inside on their strong sides. Hence, we will likely see shots at goal from the edge of the box from them. They will also make runs in behind.
Switzerland, for their part, have tricky wide men of their own. Ruben Vargas is a dangerous player on the left who can create something from nothing. However, their most creative player is the experienced Xherdan Shaqiri. Shaqiri has a rocket of a shot and is very good with his crossing and set pieces. He will try to create for Breel Embolo. Ricardo Rodriguez and Widmer must support the two Swiss wingers on the occasions the Swiss can attack. Transitions will likely be crucial for Switzerland, so the full-backs must get up and down the pitch. They must choose the right moments to attack to avoid being caught upfield and leaving the Brazilian wide men with space to exploit.
Front Men and Possible Substitutions
Richarlison’s two goals against Serbia will see him brimming with confidence. Embolo, too, will feel good after his goal against Cameroon. Richarlison will likely be heavily involved in linking play with his wide partners and coming deeper to connect with the midfield. Embolo might have an unenviable task, though, as we expect him to see little of the ball while Brazil control the game. He must hold the ball well when it comes to him. He will likely have few chances on goal, so he must take any when they arrive.
Both teams can make changes if things aren’t going well. Brazil have a wide array of exciting attackers. Gabriel Jesus, Antony, Rodrygo, and Gabriel Martinelli could enter the pitch. If the Brazilians need a goal, they will likely replace Paqueta or Fred and switch to a more attacking 4-2-3-1. Switzerland can bring on Fabian Schar in defence and youngster Fabian Rieder or Denis Zakaria in midfield. Attacking options include striker Haris Seferovic and exciting young starlet Noah Okafor.
Brazil Key Players
Vinicius Jr.
Brazil will likely come up against a stubborn Swiss rearguard in Brazil vs Switzerland. Indeed, the Swiss will probably be content with a point after gaining all three against Cameroon. This situation is where Brazil will look to Vinicius to be expansive and inventive. Tite will ask him to dribble at Widmer and try to get past him to create the space in behind for balls or cut-backs to Richarlison. Vinicius must be an outlet for the Brazilian midfielders and full-backs. He will make himself available at every opportunity and drive at the Swiss defence with his searing pace and trickery. Raphinha will be crucial on the other side too. However, with Neymar out, Vinicius is the key Brazilian player in unlocking doors.
Richarlison
Richarlison is unusual because he tends to play better for Brazil than his club sides. Undoubtedly, he is a crucial component of this Brazilian squad and the focal point he gives them as a number 9 is paramount. His clever movement and runs in behind create space for the Brazilian wingers and allow them to play him in. He will look to sniff out chances in this match as he did against Serbia. Therefore, Nico Elvedi and Manuel Akanji, in the heart of the Swiss defence, must not lose concentration for a second. Richarlison has also shown a flair for the extravagant, not least with his scissor kick against Serbia. He will look to get on the scoresheet again against the Swiss.
Switzerland Key Players
Granit Xhaka
The Swiss team must be disciplined in this match against the favourites, none more so than midfield general and captain Xhaka. Xhaka is an often erratic and unpredictable player, as he is equally capable of running a game or submitting an abysmal performance culminating in a sending-off. In the Brazil vs Switzerland game, Xhaka must remain disciplined and screen his defence and full-backs. Brazil will look to exploit the little spaces between the Swiss lines. Xhaka, Freuler, and Sow must ensure there are no gaps in these areas, as it is tough to come back when going down a goal to Brazil. He must therefore defend well. However, when Switzerland do have the opportunity to attack, Xhaka’s passing and long diagonal balls out wide could be invaluable.
Xherdan Shaqiri
We contemplated including another destructive Swiss player as their second key player. However, we ultimately decided upon the enigmatic and inventive Shaqiri. Despite not being defensively minded, up against an attacking Brazilian team, Shaqiri must try to help Widmer when his team does not have the ball. When Switzerland can transition, Shaqiri must carry the ball well and try to exploit any space that Sandro might leave. The Brazilian full-backs might be slightly cautious because of Shaqiri and Vargas’s threat. Indeed, Shaqiri can come inside and try to shoot on his wand of a left foot or cross for Embolo as he did against Cameroon. His set pieces will also be crucial. He might be substituted in the second half due to getting older. However, Swiss coach Murat Yakin will want him to help give Switzerland the lead before then.
Brazil vs Switzerland Prediction
This World Cup has seen shocks aplenty so far, but Brazil have only played once, and they looked good against the Serbians. Serbia are a slightly stronger team than Switzerland and offer more of an attacking threat. Hence, we see Brazil being adventurous against the Swiss to attempt to likely seal qualification with six points out of six. Switzerland certainly pose a danger on the counter-attack. However, we expect them to be disciplined and hold their shape in the Brazil vs Switzerland match. The temporary loss of Neymar is a blow for the Brazilians. However, they have other attackers, primarily Vinicius, who can step up to the plate. This game might be one where one team generally dominates the other, and we see Brazil winning reasonably comfortably. However, Switzerland are a disciplined team and must not be underestimated.