World Cup 2022: Brazil Aim to Make the Swiss Roll Over

Brazil vs Switzerland

The World Cup 2022 favourites are back in action on Monday in a mouth-watering clash at Stadium 974; yes it’s the Samba Boys of Brazil against the rock hard men of Switzerland.

Both teams come into the game on the back of a win, Brazil saw off Serbia 2-0 while the Swiss earned a hard fought 1-0 victory over Cameroon. With the first round of World Cup 2022 results completed the European teams are faring pretty well. But after Argentina were stunned by Saudi Arabia and Uruguay were frustrated by South Korea, the South American flag is being waved by the Selecao and Ecuador at the moment.  

The World Cup 2022 betting odds are backing Tito’s Brazil to win their second match, but Murak Yakin’s Switzerland are tough to beat; they can soak up pressure and then strike like a snake.

This is not a game to miss!    

Talking Points

Richarlison justifies Tite’s faith

Spurs striker Richarlison was preferred to Gabriel Jesus in Brazil’s starting line-up and he made the most of his chance with a double strike in 11 spectacular minutes. It was no more than the Selecao deserved after a frustrating first half against the determined Serbs. The opener wasn’t the prettiest of goals but when Vinicius Junior saw his shot parried by keeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, Richarlison was on the spot to fire home the opener.

On 64 minutes it was all over when the Tottenham man got his second, and this one was a beauty as he swivelled and hit a stunning strike to lift the roof off the Lusail Stadium.  Tite has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal and he replaced his two goal hero with Jesus, while bringing on Rodrygo to give his Real Madrid team-mate Vinicius a breather, and they both came close to adding to the lead.

The one moment of concern for Brazil was an injury to star man Neymar who took a knock on his right ankle. In a post match press conference the team doctor said they started treatment on the bench the moment the PSG man came off, and on Friday the medical team will take another look. Brazil fans will wait of news on Neymar, but they can be confident that the rest of the team is ticking nicely. And it isn’t just an attack minded outfit, Brazil have world class players all over the pitch. Casemiro was dominant in midfield against Serbia and, at the back, Thiago Silva was imperious as ever. And with Alisson and Ederson contesting the Number One spot, Brazil’s last line of defence is as good as any.  

Is this the best Switzerland ever?

They have been as high as third in the World FIFA Rankings and are now rated as the 14^th best team on the planet, but Switzerland’s head coach Murat Yakin said, before the tournament began, that this is ‘the best Switzerland national team to have ever existed.’

That’s some statement; and only time will tell, but the Swiss looked a pretty tidy outfit in beating a dangerous Cameroon side. Breel Embolo, born in Cameroon, was the hero on the night, converting a low cross from Xherdan Shaqiri three minutes into the second half. It was a tight game which saw the possession shared at 50 per cent each, while Cameroon edged the shot count by eight to seven and Swiss keeper Yann Sommer preserved the three points with a fine save to deny Bryan Mbeuno.    

Augsburg’s 24 year old striker Ruben Vargas is a lively customer and he should start again alongside Embolo, while Switzerland’s biggest strengths are further back.  Skippered by midfield enforcer Granit Xhaka, who is in the form of his life, and with Manchester City centre back Manuel Akanji alongside Torino’s Ricardo Rodriguez at the heart of defence this is a team full of quality, the hallmark of Switzerland.  

History

These two teams have encountered each other four times in their history, with each winning once and there have been two draws. They met at the 2018 World Cup group stage and played out a 1-1 draw as Steven Zuber scored a header to equalise Philippe Coutinho’s opener.

Both sides are on a good run of form. Brazil are on a winning streak of eight and are unbeaten in 16 games, while Switzerland have won four of the last six, losing the other two. 

Betting Tip

The Selecao are heavily odds on to win this game at a SBOTOP price of 1.39, while Switzerland are at 8.00 and the draw is priced at 4.40.

Brazil should have enough to win this match and in terms of a correct score line, the favourites are at odds of 6.20 to win 1-0 and a similar price for 2-0, while 2-1 is at 7.20.

I reckon a one goal win is the most likely outcome but that won’t be easy, and I suspect this game will go to the wire.   

 

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