Brazil
vs.
Switzerland
By: Jason Green
Date: Sunday June 17th
Time: 7:00 PM
Match Odds: Brazil -245 / Switzerland +750 / Draw +370
Over/Under: 2.5 goals
Brazil is the betting favorite to win the World Cup in Russia and while they have been a major power for decades they are only 1-1-1 all time facing Switzerland. The last time these teams met it was in 2013 in a friendly where Switzerland won 1-0.
Brazil is stacked and they have not conceded a goal in their last five matches. They did not face cupcakes in those matches either going up against Croatia, England, Russia, and Germany, who they lost to 7-1 in the semifinals of the last World Cup, which was held in Brazil.
Switzerland is also unbeaten in their last five matches, but they only faced one power in playing to a 1-1 draw against Spain. The Swiss have only allowed one goal in their last six matches and you can be sure their defense will be tested in this Game facing Brazil’s dynamic attack led by PSG superstar Neymar.
With Brazil pressing forward Switzerland’s best chance to Scorewill be on the counter-attack. one thing that is good for them is that they have a solid midfield led by Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City. Granit Xhaka and Ricardo Rodriguez are the two main strikers for the Swiss and they have to pressure the Brazilian defense when they get scoring chances, which they may not get many of in this match.
Coutinho, Casemiro and Paulinho form the solid midfield for Brazil and they are great at the time of possession Game, attacking the goal, and setting up their strikers. Brazil plays with pace and precision and for the Swiss to pull off the major upset they will have to take the Brazilians out of their Game.
Manchester’s City’s Danilo and PSC Thiago Silva leads the solid Brazilian defense that also likes to play the attack and push the envelope going forward on the pitch.
Switzerland only lost one match in World Cup qualifying, falling 2-0 to Portugal, and they are the 6th ranked team in the world according to FIFA. Still, do they have a chance facing Brazil, who is firing on all cylinders and the favorite to win the World Cup? Big question.
Look for the Swiss to play a defensive match and drop back to defend the back line for most of the match. They will be more than happy even if they could escape this match with a draw.
Last Three Matches
Brazil
3/27/18 Germany 0 Brazil 1 (Friendly)
6/3/18 Brazil 2 Croatia 0 (Friendly)
6/10/18 Austria 0 Brazil 3 (Friendly)
Switzerland
3/27/18 Switzerland 6 Panama 0 (Friendly)
6/3/18 Spain 1 Switzerland 1 (Friendly)
6/8/18 Switzerland 2 Japan 0 (Friendly)
Prediction: Switzerland will play a good first half and their defense may frustrate Brazil for some time, but there is too much talent on the Brazilian side and they will take three points from this match with a 2-0 win.