Brazil and Serbia will this evening renew their rivalry at the World Cup as they meet in the group stages for the second successive edition.
Brazil are making their 22nd World Cup appearance, the most a nation has ever featured in the showpiece since its inception in 1930.
Serbia are making their fourth World Cup appearance and will be hoping to improve on their record of losing seven matches out of 9 World Cup matches since 2006, which ranks as a poor record for a European nation.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The team’s last meeting was at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow four years ago when Brazil prevailed by 2-0 over the much-changed Serbia side.
The only other meeting between Brazil and Serbia came in 2014, with the five times World Champions winning the match 1-0.
FORM
Brazil are coming to the Qatar World Cup in superb form having not lost a match since losing the 2021 Copa America final to Argentina.
Their attacking prowess has seen Brazil score an impressive 18 goals in their most recent five games.
Meanwhile, Serbia has posted four wins in their last five games and have found the back of the net 14 times.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Serbia will be counting on striker Aleksandar Mitrović goals as he has shown his capabilities at club level, breaking the record for the most goals scored in an English season last year. Another player to watch will be Juventus’s Filip Kostić who played a huge role in steering Eintracht Frankfurt to a Europa League triumph last season.
Brazil have a lot of firepower going into this encounter, with Paris Saint Germain forward Neymar having a lot of pressure on his shoulders to help the team go beyond the Quarterfinals feat achieved at the 2018 World Cup. In-form Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus and teammate Gabriel Martinelli will also have a case to prove with the national team following impressive performances in the Premier League. Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are also worthy contenders for places in the star-studded Brazil side.
Brazil are unbeaten in their last 15 group matches at the World Cup and is tipped to carry the day in this encounter while Serbia are in good form to overturn the tables having topped a World Cup qualification group containing Portugal.
PREDICTION, BETTING TIP, AND ODDS
