Prediction: England vs Brazil

Verdict: England win

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Dachbet

With all eyes falling on Wembley this weekend, England will welcome South American giants Brazil to the capital on Saturday night.

England

Starting with the hosts, while England might have eventually signed off 2023 with a 1-1 stalemate away at North Macedonia, Gareth Southgate’s men breezed their way to this summer’s European Championships. Tipped as a standout contender to get their hands on a first major international trophy since 1966, the Three Lions will be desperate to make a heavyweight statement here. Mustering 20 points from their eight qualifying appearances last year, England have not suffered a single defeat since their 2022 World Cup exit. Boasting some of Europe’s most iconic attacking stars, Southgate’s men have also gained a real reputation for their extended success on home soil. In fact, England have not lost any of their previous 18 friendly contests on home soil – a run that stems all the way back to a 2-1 loss against Holland back in March 2016.

Team News

Despite suffering an ankle injury while on domestic duties with Bayern Munich last weekend, Harry Kane has been included in England’s squad. However, struggling to find any kind of stability since arriving at West Ham during January’s transfer window, Kalvin Phillips has not been selected by Southgate.

Continuing to shine after enjoying a breakout campaign with Everton, 21-year-old Jarrad Branthwaite has been handed a first senior call-up. Notching 16 Premier League strikes this season, Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins could earn a 10th cap on Saturday night.

Brazil

As for the visitors, eventually forced to settle for a disappointing World Cup quarter-final finish out in Qatar 15 months ago, Brazil have certainly come under increasing scrutiny. Turning to new boss Dorival Junior back in January in an attempt to steady the ship, the South American icons signed off 2023 in the midst of a public struggle. Last seen falling to a 1-0 loss at the hands of historic rivals Argentina on November 22nd, the Selecao have remarkably lost all of their previous three World Cup qualifiers by an aggregate score of 5-1. Likewise, along with mustering just a single point from any of their last four showdowns, Brazil have also shown some recent issues in the final third. Including a downbeat 2-0 defeat against Uruguay during October’s international break, Saturday’s guests have failed to bag more than a single goal in their previous five attempts.

Team News

Hit with a recent injury issue, Brazil have already confirmed that Manchester United midfielder Casemiro will not feature at Wembley. Likewise, still dealing with a long-term knee injury and enduring a nightmare start to life in Saudi Arabia, former PSG superstar Neymar is not part of Junior’s squad this month.

Continuing to shine with Spanish giants Real Madrid this season and notching six goals in his previous four appearances across all competitions, Vinicius Junior will certainly play a leading role here. Continuing to shine with Premier League outfit Newcastle, Bruno Guimaraes should earn a 19th international cap this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When England and Brazil last met for a friendly contest back in November 2017, Saturday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate.
• England have not suffered a single international friendly defeat on home soil since way back in March 2016.
• Brazil signed off 2023 by collecting just a single point from any of their final four World Cup qualifying appearances.
• The South American icons have also failed to notch more than a single goal in any of their previous five outings.
• England have lost just one of their last five meetings against Brazil across all competitions.

Conclusion

Tipped as a genuine contender when they arrive out in Germany for EURO 24 this summer, England will be desperate to make a major heavyweight statement here. With Brazil signing off 2023 in the midst of a public wobble, some in Southgate’s camp should be smelling a potential opportunity here. Not suffering a single friendly defeat on home soil since way back in March 2016 and losing just one of their previous five contests against Saturday’s guests, we are predicting a gritty home victory at Wembley.

Verdict: England win

Best Odds: 20/21

Bookmaker: Dachbet